How's your Church doing?

A recent survey claims that 4500 churches closed in 2019 and only 3000 churches opened in that same year. (before the pandemic) The pandemic has accelerated that decline.[1] That seems to match the decline from 70% to 47% of Americans who say they belong to a church, synagogue, or mosque. The church in America is declining

As I began reading the book of Lamentations today, I am saddened how far the nation of Israel had fallen. The Temple was destroyed and they were sent into exile.  It sounds so much like our churches today.

"Jerusalem, once so full of people, is now deserted. She who was once great among the nations now sits alone like a widow. Once the queen of all the earth, she is now a slave." (Lamentations 1:1)

"He has broken down his Temple as though it were merely a garden shelter. The Lord has blotted out all memory of the holy festivals and Sabbath days. The Lord as rejected his own altar; he despises his own sanctuary. He has given Jerusalem's palaces to her enemies. They shout in the Lord's Temple as though it were a day of celebration." (Lamentations 2:6,7)

"Jerusalem has sinned greatly, so she has been tossed away like a filthy rag. All who once honored her now despise her, for they have seen her stripped naked and humiliated. All she can do is groan and hide her face. She defiled herself with immorality and gave no thought to her future. Now she lies in the gutter with no one to lift her out. 'Lord, see my misery,' she cries. The enemy has triumphed." (Lamentations 1:8-9)

 So, how's your church doing? Has God abandoned you like he did the Temple? Why are churches failing around the world? Are we bringing this fate upon ourselves by "sinning greatly" like Jerusalem?

This past Sunday, our church had our annual VBX Sunday. What an amazing week the church had! The church had over 200 volunteers host more than 600 kids in our annual Bible School. But, the greatest news is we had 79 FIRST TIME commitments to Jesus during those four days. That brings our grand total for 2024 to 131 kids and adults who have given their lives to Jesus and accepted what Jesus did on the Cross for their Salvation. 

It is great, but can we do more? Now comes the real work, following the Great Commission, making disciples who make disciples. How is your church doing? How do you measure success in your church? Is your measure, finances, "butts in the seats," salvations, or something else?  I do like our measurement of success. There is an old saying, "You value what you measure!" So I am glad we value salvations and use that as our primary measurement. But, even though we have a growing active church, we also need to take those new believers and teach them so that they will become disciples who make disciples. 

As we read through the Old Testament and into the New, the church felt they were doing pretty well also. The first-century church was also growing. But as we read about the seven churches in the book of Revelation, they were struggling as well. They thought they were doing ok, but were letting sin creep into their congregations or they were fighting an uphill battle with the world.

Our Churches are so important and we need to be vigilant in making sure we are focused on fulfilling God's mission here on earth until he comes again. Pray for your churches. Pray for your pastors and leadership. Get involved. Help others grow spiritually while YOU are growing. Celebrate the successes, but don't get lost in them. The world needs strong churches and strong churches are made of people who are fully committed to the Lord and his Kingdom. 

1 - https://religionnews.com/2021/05/26/study-more-churches-closing-than-opening/