"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?
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