I’ve run across a couple research articles which are concerning…
Somewhere between 6,000 to 10,000 local churches nationwide close every year…
Between 1,000 to 3,000 churches nationwide are being planted yearly. (Not sure how “church” is defined or what structure might apply.)
Our nation grows by a net gain of 1.6 million people yearly.
You can do the math…
Bible-believing, Christian people and churches need to be praying about the following…
1. That current pastors would challenge their people; especially youth and young adults through preaching, to consider if God is calling them to preach, plant, or pastor a local church. This was normal a few decades ago.
2. Church planting needs to be highlighted and esteemed in the Body of Christ in America. Every ministerial network and evangelical denomination needs to emphasize and invest in this endeavor intentionally.
3. Struggling local churches need to be strengthened and partnered with by healthy, growing churches.
4. Church buildings and facilities of closing churches need to be donated to church plants and new churches. We should be Kingdom minded.
5. I have found some churches are generational and others seasonal. Sometimes closing a church can be a “God-thing” as much as a new start. Especially if the closing work consumes more than it ministers.
6. Younger pastors and churches need mentors, veteran pastors, and the relationship of wise church leaders surrounding them to grow and succeed, not control and drain resources.
7. No one local church “owns” a town or city. A church plant does not need another church’s permission to do the Great Commission. While courtesy calls and ministerial protocol are always appreciated and in order, the harvest is still plentiful and the laborers are few.
8. A pastor’s mentality in a city should be that every Bible-believing church in that city is an extension of one another in God’s Kingdom agenda. We are complimenters not competitors.
9. If your local church cannot plant a church, what can you do to help and encourage a church plant in your city?
10. Bi-vocational ministers are becoming the new normal. In fact, this may be an optimum model potentially. Diverse revenue streams provide less financial pressure, more relational opportunity, and greater ministry participation.
Just some initial thoughts on the articles.
Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt, PhD
January 17, 2024 at 8:42 pmDr. Kevin, what is your source for this? I need to quote this for our news program. Please call me for interview? 719.360.5132 cell.
Dr. Chaps