What do you do when something has died prematurely or unexpectedly? You do an autopsy to discover the cause of death. I believe you could argue that the western church has died. Buddy, that’s blasphemous! Well, before you dial out… Dial into the raw data…
• In America, 4000 churches close their doors each year.
• The vast majority of churches have an attendance of less then 75
• The number of people in America that Do Not attend church has doubled in the past 15 years.
• Half of all churches last year did not add one new member through conversion growth.
• Only 15% of churches in the United States are growing and just 2.2% of those are growing by conversion growth.
• 1 out of 4 church attendees are considered church hoppers.
• No more then 38% of the population attends church at all and that’s in the Bible belt. The next highest is the Midwest at 25%, West 21% and the Northeast 17%…..
• Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
• Just 1/3 of church attendees believes that they have a personal responsibility to share their faith with others.
• One in four serve in the church they attend.
• 23% of church attendees say they attend a group for growth and accountability.
• 9% tithe.
• 20-25% read their Bible consistently, 59% attend church weekly.
• Only 60% of Christians say they are deeply committed to their faith
Is this the same faith of those early followers of Jesus? Where is the dangerous church that Jesus dreamed of? Where is the dangerous church that was described in Scripture? Are we truly His followers today, or just frauds?
Consider this… The early church had nothing, yet that had everything. Today we have everything, and yet have nothing. They had every reason for their cause to die, yet they thrived. We have every reason for our cause to thrive, yet its dead in the western church.
I’m a HUGE fan of the church. I have given my life for it. I’m not saying that Jesus is dead or His movement. I understand fully well that HE will build HIS church and the gates of Hell cannot prevail against it. What I am saying is that its time to take our heads out of the sand box and grow up and take a hard look at the early church and ask ourselves some tough questions.
What are the diseases that have killed your church or can kill your church?
Dangerous Church – Part 1 Recap from Northway Church on Vimeo.
Alarming statistics…. Are these from a particular source or from several? I’d like to share them with some friends but want to credit the source and maybe find some other info. Thanks, I think… kind of convicting! Actually the message was great and timely.
Andy Wist
That is a loaded question. I believe one of the biggest is pride. It kills everything it comes in contact with. Pride in leadership, pride in serving, pride in giving, pride in worshiping, pride. When we believe that we can do it on our own, that all we have is a result of our own hard work, that is when we begin our fall. We cannot do it on our own and to be so proud to take all of the credit for all you have accomplished is inconsciable. When we believe in ourselves, the fall is inevitable, and this is in all areas, not only in the church also in life.
We need to be diligent to remember who we are and why we are here. When we keep God in the forefront, we can accomplish all that He has called us to. When we go alone, we are alone.
Great message – Poweful, Sad – But there is Hope.
God Bless
I have been in a church and watched it die while the pastor decided it was his church and stopped hearing the people even the elders of his church and did what he wanted . Many people were hurt and I myself was made at God for years over it. I only truley healed after going to Northway with my family and realizing we all have sin our life and we just need to push past it and not let others tell us how to do the right thing. I know I am in Gods will and my family will keep growing and become a household for God. Amy
Buddy….thank you thank you thank you for being Bold and not “safe” with the messages you bring at Northway Church! Thanks for the “shock”. I just watched the whole message on vimeo because I was out of town last weekend and missed it….I have to say…You brought it Again! I thank God for you and your family everyday…I thank him for bringing you to the northeast…thank him for giving you such a strong and amazing wife and two awesome Kids! I pray for strength and protection for your family.
Ya know I used to think..what in the world will NC be in 100 years when all who now attend and serve are in heaven….can it be the same without Buddy..and it hit me…NC is what it is..because IT’S GOD’S CHURCH…not buddy’s church or chad’s church or Brian’s church, or my church….This is GOD’s House and it will always Be Gods House! I am so thankful to have you leading me and my family through this crazy time of life on earth. So thankful that we have such an amazing place to worship or Lord!
Went to Americade today with my fiance and our 2 and 4 yr old sons….just to check out the bikes and maybe find some deals….and there it was…CMA..Christian Motorcycle Association…God at the Americade
Rich and I are looking into it and it looks like a fantastic group…so excited to maybe be riding with fellow christfollowers!
Sorry for the random ramblings..it’s 1am..had a long busy day…that just ended in the best way possible…a renewed burning passion to have Only Jesus! Thanks Buddy….goodnight.
After pastoring at CrossPoint in Little Rock though many, many growth and decreasing processes, i have found out 3 simple things.
1. That law of the lid thing by Maxwell is TRUTH
2. I did not keep it simple, clear and real (even though “real” was a key word we used.
3. Debt, I allowed my Church to get into stupid debt.
We are in a very slow process of regrowth.
I am no longer a full time pastor (I gave 95% of my salery back and work two jobs
And Prayer is Central to our Church Community.
Just found your blog, thanks! Randy in Arkansas
amazing facts & great post! Buddy, would it be ok if I linked to this post or put a copy of it on my own blog w/ you as a guest blogger? lmk. thanks