"RELIGION IN AMERICA
AND
CHURCH
GROWTH"
Where has America been religiously and
where is she going? That question receives varied responses. Are we
truly a "Christian nation?"
The following statistics reflect a pattern
of religious decline in America. The percentages represent Americans
claiming membership in some "Christian" church:
1776: 88%
1865: 80%
1945: 65%
1975: 38%
2000: 10%
projected
2050: 2%
projected. Where is the Lord's church going? There exists an
urgency in recognizing the danger of being "at ease in Zion."
Congregations that grow have a desire to grow and plan according-
ly. Church growth is never accidental. Have we become a worshipping
people to the neglect of soul saving? Maturity only comes through
involvement. Baptism is for remission of sins and unto
good works! Unused knowledge is not accumulative - It's terminal
(a fatal disease).
How did the early church in a period of
rapid expansion maintain a positive growth pattern? God so
structured the church that everything essential to its growth was
built into it's very framework. Incorporation of the people into
congregations. Members of a functioning organism in a body.
Congregational stability is a pre-requisite for church growth. The
structural pattern for growth in all forms is presented in Ephesians
4:11-16. Study this passage and ask yourself "Where Do I Fit
In?"
The pattern is designed to produce -
growth on two fronts: within the church - "for the perfecting of the
saints" (V12) and without the church - "for the work of the
ministry" (V12) which is ministering the word to the unregenerate.
Notice in V16 each member finds involvement.
The body of Christ is an organism, which
has more than functioning parts - it has the principle of life.
Unfruitfulness is a curable disease. The cure in three
phases: diagnostic research, prescriptive treatment, and strategic
care. Where are we going and how will we get there?
|