Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Total U.S. Churches No Longer in Decline, Researchers Say
The Christian Post ^ | Lillian Kwon

Posted on 05/13/2010 4:54:35 PM PDT by wmfights

We often hear about churches closing their doors in the U.S. But some may be surprised to hear that the total number of churches is not in decline anymore.

An important shift happened in recent years according to researchers Ed Stetzer and Warren Bird. After decades of ne decline, more U.S. churches are being started each year than are being closed.

(Excerpt) Read more at christianpost.com ...


TOPICS: Charismatic Christian; Evangelical Christian; Ministry/Outreach
KEYWORDS: churchgrowth; evangelism; faith; trends

1 posted on 05/13/2010 4:54:35 PM PDT by wmfights
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: wmfights

Catholic Church membership worldwide up 11.54% since 2000, fyi.


2 posted on 05/13/2010 4:55:18 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand (the five of the five is the two of the one.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Eckleburg; blue-duncan; Alex Murphy; Gamecock; Quix; metmom; 1000 silverlings; RnMomof7; ...
Thought some of you might find this interesting.
3 posted on 05/13/2010 4:57:59 PM PDT by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: the invisib1e hand

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hGkQp72JoBk0fn93kdkU0YzDlMTw

Still paying out civil lawsuit monetary awards though


4 posted on 05/13/2010 5:05:13 PM PDT by marajade (Yes, I'm a SW freak!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: wmfights

THX.

Will check it out.


5 posted on 05/13/2010 5:27:36 PM PDT by Quix (BLOKES who got us where we R: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2130557/posts?page=81#81)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: wmfights
Wonder about the definition of “church”. But this is a good thing.
6 posted on 05/13/2010 5:57:12 PM PDT by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: redgolum
Wonder about the definition of “church”. But this is a good thing.

I agree. We don't really have a breakdown on doctrine, but if THE GOSPEL is being preached it's great.

7 posted on 05/13/2010 6:28:24 PM PDT by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: wmfights
"Studies have shown that, in general, churches typically plateau in attendance by their fifteenth year, and by about thirty-five years they begin having trouble replacing the members they lose," the book states. "[A]mong evangelical churches, those under three years old will win ten people to Christ per year for every hundred members. Those three to fifteen years old will win five people per year for every hundred members. After age fifteen the number drops to three per year."

No mention of the real issue, the liberalization of established churches.

8 posted on 05/13/2010 7:57:27 PM PDT by iowamark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: iowamark
No mention of the real issue, the liberalization of established churches.

It seems that as the old liberal churches are stagnating, or declining, Christians are finding new churches to attend. Also, it seems this process excites the desire to evangelize.

9 posted on 05/13/2010 8:14:24 PM PDT by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: sabe@q.com
Still paying out civil lawsuit monetary awards though

So what's new about the "deep pocket theory?"

And furthermore, as the Pope has alluded, we had it coming.

10 posted on 05/15/2010 9:59:20 AM PDT by the invisib1e hand (the five of the five is the two of the one.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson