WHY SOME CHURCHES CLOSE AS OTHERS ARE PLANTED
It turns out results do matter!
I’ve heard the arguments many times before.
“We have enough churches in this town! What’s the point of planting another one?“
It’s true. Most cities, towns and even villages have enough churches, with enough space to accommodate their community. But it’s not happening. And it’s not been happening for a couple of decades now.
It’s time to face the music and ask, “Why?”
Why is the question that most churches fear.
“Why are church plants experiencing growth while established churches are declining?“
According to a 2015 report on American churches, released by LifeWay Research, roughly 4,000 new churches were planted in 2014, outpacing the 3,700 that had closed their doors. These statistics ranged across 34 denominations.
“More than 4,000 new churches opened their doors in 2014, outpacing the 3,700 that closed…
…on average, 42 percent of those worshipping at churches launched since 2008 previously never attended church or hadn’t attended in many years, LifeWay Research finds in an analysis of 843 such churches from 17 denominations and church planting networks.
The church planting study indicates newly planted churches are more effective than existing ones at drawing people who aren’t connected with a church, said Ed Stetzer, LifeWay Research executive director.
‘In winning new converts to Christ, church plants are light-years ahead of the average church because of their focus on reaching the unchurched,’ Stetzer said.” (Report on LifeWay Research By Charismanews.com)
The key is reaching the lost!
“New churches that invest in church planting and launch at least one additional new church in the first five years report higher worship attendance and more new commitments to Christ.
‘Healthy new churches have an outward focus from day one, communicating every month that the goal is to be a multiplying church,’ Stetzer said.” (Report on LifeWay Research By Charismanews.com)
The Lord gave Paul the answer.
In the last few verses of Philippians 1, Paul gives us some great insight on how to keep the doors of the church open.
“27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.” (Phil. 1:27-20)
The keys are found in verse 27: “…standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents.“
Gospel-focused with one spirit and one mind.
Church plants succeed because every person involved is tightly gripped to the cause of the Gospel. The Good News that Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost.
I know first hand that once a church is well established, ministries and structures, policies and procedures begin to steal the Gospel-focus. This isn’t an intentional move; it just happens.
How To Save Your Church.
The proof is in the results. Churches that survive, are churches that point people to the Gospel in everything they do. And this is why church plants not only survive, they thrive!
These churches focus on outreach in all areas of ministry and church life. Moreover, they consistently encourage their members to share the Gospel with their friends and neighbours. Or at least, invite them to church.
The personal invitation is still the greatest asset to Gospel work. People inviting people to meet Jesus is something that has spanned 2000 years and continues to have the greatest impact.
Knowing this, will your survive?
Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts
In your opinion, why are church plants having greater success at reaching the lost than established churches?
