IS THE LORD’S CHURCH DYING?

RELIGION AROUND THE WORLD

1.    Germany – more than 500 Catholic churches have closed since 2000

2.    France – 50% of population do not believe in a Supreme Being (God)

3.    Holland – 63% believe religion is more harmful than good

4.    Canada – 20% of all churches have closed since 2000.

5.    Canada – only 53% identify as “Christian”

6.    America – In 2020, 64% identified as Christian; 30% as “NONES”

RELIGION IN AMERICA

1.    Congregations closing or merging

a.    Change in demographics

b.    Ease of travel – no need to be in walking distance

c.    Many are willing to drive 15-20 miles to attend

2.    Population shifts

a.    Decline in farming, rural areas

b.    Growth in larger cities

3.    Study for period – 1976 to 2022

a.    Evangelical Lutherans – lost 30% in membership

b.    United Methodist – lost 17% of membership

c.    Presbyterian Church USA – lost 40% in membership

d.    Roman Catholic Church – lost 2 million from2000-2017

e.    Southern Baptist Church – 5,771 churches had ZERO baptisms in 2023

f.     Jehovah’s Witness and Morman – only groups that are growing

                                          i.    They showed slight growth from 2003 – 2018

                                        ii.    This growth is the smallest in their history

                                       iii.    Near Zero growth since 2019.

4.    Churches of Christ are also feeling the decline.

CHURCHES OF CHRIST AROUND THE WORLD

1.    Fastest growing – 1946 – 1966

2.    In late 1960s growth declined – continues to present day.

3.    Jesus’ church will stand forever.

a.    Luke 8:11 – seed is word of God

b.    Daniel 2:44 – stand forever

c.    1 Peter 1:25 – Word stands forever

d.    Matt. 24:36 – Word will never pass away

4.    Early church under Roman persecution “grew and multiplied”

a.    (Acts 6:7)  Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

b.    (Acts 9:31)  Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

c.    (Acts 12:24)  But the word of God grew and multiplied.

 

5.    Keith Sisman, Traces of the Kingdom

a.    Church flourished in Middle Ages in British Isles

b.    Tottlebank, England – 1740’s – building, notes of their teachings

c.    This is 75 years BEFORE Restoration Movement in USA

6.    There are prophets of doom – declare the death or dying of the church

a.    Don’t just focus on America

b.    We tend to think about church in America; in our state or county

7.    Nigeria - 2002 more than a million members of the church

8.    India – has more members of the church than ANY NATION on earth. (over 2 million)

a.    More than 30,000 congregations

b.    More than in North, Central AND South America combined

c.    Inda churches baptized an average of 875 per day in 2023.

9.    REMEMBER: THE LORD’S CHURCH IS LARGER THAN OUR STATE OR NATION.

SOME REASONS WE ARE NOT GROWING (ARE DYING).

1.    Marriage, Divorce, and Re-marriage not being taught.

2.    Change in Hermeneutics

3.    Confused roles of men and women

4.    Music in the church (choirs, solos, praise teams, instruments

5.    Communion on days other than Sunday

6.    Weaking of teaching on baptism

7.    Fail to teach on eternal punishment (Hell)

8.    Not understand relationship of Faith, Grace, and Works

9.    Failure to teach on the nature of the church as the body of Christ

CONCLUSION

1.    The church is growing, thriving in India, most of central Africa and in other parts of the world because they are teaching the fundamentals of the gospel.

2.    The church in America needs to get back to doing the same and we will grow again!

From a series of articles by Rod Rutherford, published in Seeking the Old Paths, October, November, December of 2024.