Tag «Smaller Churches & Communities»

The Death of the Baby Boomers: 7 Things That Will Take Place in Your Church (A Church Answers Research Article)

It is strange to write about the death of the Baby Boomers because I am one of them. Indeed, this article was a reminder of my own mortality. While the implications of the death of this generation go far beyond church life, we who lead and love churches should prepare for this unavoidable reality. Here…

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The Moribund Church

We’ve done extensive research and provided a number of resources on churches that have died. The reason we’ve conducted these “autopsies” on deceased churches is to learn from them. Why did they die? What warning signs did they have? What intervention might have proved fruitful? We have extended our research on autopsies to moribund churches….

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Staying Put: The Increasing Significance (and Growing Desire) of Longer-Term Pastorates

During the 1800s frontier era of church expansion in the United States, a one-year contract to pastor a church was relatively common. If the church liked the pastor, an extension might be granted for another year but not much beyond. As America expanded westward, communities grew, and new churches popped up. Moving on after a…

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4 Big Reasons Why Pastors Lack Work-Life Balance

Pastors are a notorious bunch when it comes to work. Church members have high expectations. The hours are long. Some weeks, you have no option but to grind it out for 70 hours. An occasional all-nighter is to be expected. But these situations should be rare, not the norm. Why do too few pastors strike…

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5 Reasons Why Non-Denominational Churches Are Growing

While we continue to see reports of denominational decline in America, we see fewer reports of the growth of non-denominational churches. It is actually an amazing story. Two denominations that receive a lot of attention are the Southern Baptist Convention and the United Methodist Church. These two denominations have historically been the two largest Protestant…

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When Pastors Doubt Their Leadership Ability

It is a key issue in pastoral leadership today. Here is a quote from a pastor I coach. It is indicative of this issue: “I don’t feel like I am leading well. Sometimes I wonder if God’s anointing and calling is no longer on my life.” That pastor is not alone. As I work with…

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The Top Ten Misaligned Priorities in Struggling Churches

Churches decline for two main reasons—both having to do with a shift in priorities. First, they lose passion for the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. Second, as a result, they no longer give God glory. When a church no longer pushes outward with the gospel, the people will no longer look upward to God’s…

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An Urgent Plea to Churches

I admit it: I’m pleading with church leaders with this post. I’m pleading on behalf of 19 million people in the United States. This past weekend, I led a collegiate conference at a local church. Every time I speak to college students, I’m reminded of two things: (1) they bring enthusiasm and potential to a…

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Dispelling Four Common (and Unhelpful) Myths about Neighborhood Churches

“There’s a church on every corner in that community!” I’ve heard this comment many times over the years. In most cases, the tone indicates a level of disdain. It’s understandable. Church buildings seem to be everywhere, while God’s mission seems to be nowhere. But I don’t believe we need to give up on these churches….

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The Church That Could in a Town of 714 People

Bardwell Baptist Church is located in Bardwell, Kentucky, a town of 714 people. Twenty years ago in 2020, the population was 799. Bardwell is, for the most part, an unknown town in a rural area of Kentucky. But God knows where Bardwell is. Jason Burnette became the pastor in 2021. Worship attendance was around 100…

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