Category Archives: Uncategorized

Church Growth: Who attends the megachurches?

Scott Thumma and Warren Bird have posted a comprehensive study of megachurches called “NOT WHO YOU THINK THEY ARE: A Profile of the People Who Attend America’s Megachurches.” They summarize their findings as follows: Young and single adults are more … Continue reading

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The National Congregations Study and Churches of Christ, Part 2

Congregations are aging • In 2006-07, 30% of regular attenders in the average congregation were older than age 60, compared with 25% in 1998. • The percent of regular adult participants younger than age 35 in the average congregation dropped … Continue reading

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The National Congregations Study and Churches of Christ, Part 1

Duke University has just released a report of its National Congregations Study for 2006-7, comparing American churches with churches in 1998. It’s an interesting read.  The survey includes 2,740 congregations across the country, and so is among the most detailed … Continue reading

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Church Growth: Andy Rowell Summarizes the Studies, Part 7 (Intimacy and choice, Minister and reputation)

Churches that offer “intimacy and choice” Scott Thumma argues that “niche” house churches and megachurches both are offering individuals a product they are interested in. “In certain ways, the megachurch is the complete opposite of the house church, but with … Continue reading

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Church Growth: Andy Rowell Summarizes the Studies, Part 6 (High growth location, Changing worship)

Being in rapidly growing zip codes Only one [other] external factor was significant in the growth or decline of the church—the change in the population of its zip code. Fast-growing churches—those that increased by more than 20 percent in attendance—were … Continue reading

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Church Growth: Andy Rowell Summarizes the Studies, Part 5 (Being large or small, Being rural)

Being a church of 1000+ attendees or under 50 attendees Well, I wasn’t expecting this one. David Olson points out that large (1000+ attendance) and small churches (1-49 attendance) are growing at the fastest rates. “While the larger churches grew … Continue reading

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Church Growth: Andy Rowell Summarizes the Studies, Part 4 (Leadership, Prayer)

Leadership Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson report that “we let the data set the agenda, and godly leadership was at the top.”[7] [7] Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson, Comeback Churches: How 300 Churches Turned Around and Yours Can Too (Nashville: … Continue reading

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Backgrounds of the Restoration Movement: Heresy, Part 5 (Talk Like a Christian)

[Relocated from Part 4 and substantially rewritten] Conclusions We see two very different strands of thought winding through history — Abraham and Phinehas, Paul and Saul. The disciples of Phinehas attempt to follow him by destroying God’s enemies. They believe … Continue reading

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Backgrounds of the Restoration Movement: Heresy, Part 4 (Alexander Campbell, Quail Springs)

Seventh story Alexander Campbell, one of the founders of the Restoration Movement, is noted for many things. A couple of things that are rarely commented on, but very important to my point of view, are his attitudes toward his debate … Continue reading

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Church Growth: Andy Rowell Summarizes the Studies, Part 3 (Involvement, Welcoming)

High involvement I went to a seminar a long time ago that measured church growth on involvement percentages. You need 20% to 30% involvement to keep the doors open, teach classes, etc. 40% to 50% will generate growth. 60% is … Continue reading

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