Church attendance in decline

[Ray12614]

On 6/24/2024 at 6:52 PM, Marilyn C said:

I agree THAT we disagree but not to agree to it, otherwise we wouldn`t discuss.

Yes, the strong delusion is in play, in man`s world system, however, when did God give away His world or was overpowered and someone took it away?

 

To use an outdated phrase taken from some farmers to attended an opera performance: A farm boy asked: 'When will this be done?', and his father said "It ain't over until the fat lady sings".

Well . . . the biblical events ain't over yet as the 'fat angel' has not sung yet.

Sorry . . . my mid-west farm boy logic just surfaced . . . LOL

Jesus has never lost control. We are on the winning side. The trick to discern what is happening around us is to understand what has been delegated to us (the church) to control, and what is in the sole power of God to deal with. We all have areas of influence that we are in, so, what are we doing with those areas?

 

[Neighbor]

On 5/13/2024 at 3:11 PM, RV_Wizard said:

It is no secret that church attendance is declining in America.  

Hi, Perhaps church attendance is a secret for I am led to churches that are in growth mode, growth in shear volume of attendance and in depth of interest in the word of God. One that we affiliate with now has no membership  at all, there simply is no such thing there, yet  it grows in numbers of participants at a rather steady pace.

Maybe the old adage is in play; figures don't lie but liars can figure?

[Neighbor]

One larger church body in the area has been opening up numerous satellite churches all over the county at  strip center store front malls, setting up big screens to transmit the worship  services  far beyond what would happen  if they had but one large facility. My old place of worship and employment has steadily grown  and has had to expand it's facilities substantially.

Another near me has expanded  by buying an enire strip mall to accommodate it's rapid growth and the rural church body that I am familiar with has  more than doubled in paticipants. So I don't know who calculates what is happening I only know what I see.

I do wonder if any of these places are ever contacted or factored in calculating members/participants. I suspect if they were to be asked they would not give any answer to the surveying company.

One I am closest to does not even have "membership", nor any roster of participants at all.

[Marathoner]

7 hours ago, Neighbor said:

Hi, Perhaps church attendance is a secret for I am led to churches that are in growth mode, growth in shear volume of attendance and in depth of interest in the word of God. One that we affiliate with now has no membership  at all, there simply is no such thing there, yet  it grows in numbers of participants at a rather steady pace.

Maybe the old adage is in play; figures don't lie but liars can figure?

Perhaps you go where the Spirit sends you, focusing upon those things that the Lord intends for you to focus upon when you arrive, and this is your calling in Christ?

I say that as one who goes where the Spirit sends me, focusing upon those things that the Lord intends for me to focus upon, and this is my calling in Christ. Now, we are members of the same Body, but we are not the same part serving the same purpose. The Lord sends you to such places according to His will, and He sends me to places that are dangerous according to His will. 

He's amazing, isn't He? Praise the Lord!

[RV_Wizard]

13 hours ago, Neighbor said:

Hi, Perhaps church attendance is a secret for I am led to churches that are in growth mode, growth in shear volume of attendance and in depth of interest in the word of God.

There are many churches that are thriving.  That doesn't change the national statistics.  If your church is growing and is teaching the sound doctrine of the Lord, then to God be the glory.

[Neighbor]

8 hours ago, RV_Wizard said:

There are many churches that are thriving.  That doesn't change the national statistics.  If your church is growing and is teaching the sound doctrine of the Lord, then to God be the glory.

Hi, It does make statistics suspect ( Both past and present ). GIGO, but here is a mixed bag  of Statistics;

https://www.churchtrac.com/articles/the-state-of-church-attendance-trends-and-statistics-2023