Karl Vaters’ articles usually have some sharp takeaways. In writing about ten steps churches should take in order to remain vital he writes we should: Figure Out Why Your Congregation Should Survive If your church disappeared tomorrow, what would really be lost? Yes, that’s hard question. It might even feel cruel and uncaring. But it’s …
Thom Rainer outlines the cycle of vitality and decline that he has observed in growing and shrinking churches. Locally I deal with churches demonstrating the fourth and fifth of these stages. Even though being a growing church is especially challenging in country areas where population bases are declining, these churches have a culture that reflects …
Westminster Confession Of Faith – Lord’s Day 49 Chapter 30 – Of Church Censures I. The Lord Jesus, as king and head of his Church, has therein appointed a government in the hand of Church officers, distinct from the civil magistrate. II. To these officers the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are committed, by …
Ray Ortlund passes on an observation about three stages in a local church’s growth and decline. It’s vital to humbly self-examine because what can be observed as strength can be the rigidity that is precursor to decline. Movement A healthy church is born as a burst of positive gospel energy. It’s a Pentecost-like explosion of …
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