It is becoming of some concern to me that so far only three new churches/missions have actually begun in the ABA (USA) since June of this year. Now, it is entirely possible that we haven't gotten all of the information about new works being started yet, but it doesn't look very good at the present. I know of a couple more works that may begin soon. If you know of a new work starting somewhere please let me know and we will get them registered on our website.
I was told by some that 100 was a realistic goal for our 1200 plus churches to achieve. But I'm not sure that this is realistic at all at the present pace. One of the reasons for this is that, to my knowledge, there has never been any tracking of new works nationally or globally; therefore how can we establish goals or challenge churches properly.
If everyone in the ABA knew how dismal our church planting record was perhaps there would be a change. Perhaps it's time to count more than just the number of souls that get saved everywhere and realize that it is the planting of new churches that creates the most evangelism.
Let's plant more churches!
David
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Can Churches Comeback?
Yes, churches can comeback from the decline that many are experiencing.
Many have told me, I wish we could see our church growing again. Pastors tell me, I wish I knew what to do that would change the direction our church is headed for. Excuses are often used to justify the current decline like: "it's the last times", "the love of many is getting cold", "there is a great falling away taking place". However, it seems strange to me that if those excuses held any water they would be true everywhere. But it is not true everywhere. In fact, if it is true at all, it is true only to those whose environment suggests that it is true. The truth is that wherever churches are actively engaged in outreach and evangelism they are experiencing growth and development!
Becoming a comeback church requires a new commitment to evangelism. If churches are declining and dying it is because they have ceased in "reproduction". Therefore, begin reproducing churches, believers, and disciples. It is the solution to becoming a comeback church.
Those churches that are coming back are going back to evangelism and discipleship.
You can learn more about being a comeback church from "Comeback Churches" by Ed Stetzer.
David
Many have told me, I wish we could see our church growing again. Pastors tell me, I wish I knew what to do that would change the direction our church is headed for. Excuses are often used to justify the current decline like: "it's the last times", "the love of many is getting cold", "there is a great falling away taking place". However, it seems strange to me that if those excuses held any water they would be true everywhere. But it is not true everywhere. In fact, if it is true at all, it is true only to those whose environment suggests that it is true. The truth is that wherever churches are actively engaged in outreach and evangelism they are experiencing growth and development!
Becoming a comeback church requires a new commitment to evangelism. If churches are declining and dying it is because they have ceased in "reproduction". Therefore, begin reproducing churches, believers, and disciples. It is the solution to becoming a comeback church.
Those churches that are coming back are going back to evangelism and discipleship.
You can learn more about being a comeback church from "Comeback Churches" by Ed Stetzer.
David
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
