The Assemblies of God held its 60th General Council two weeks ago in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Michael Clarensau presented a report to the General Presbytery about statistical trends among AG churches and ministers.

"2022 data demonstrated a strong step forward in many important measures, suggesting that recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is clearly underway," he wrote.

"Consider the following: Main worship attendance increased 10% over 2021, the largest single-year increase of this millennium. Total Spirit baptisms grew by 11% and total water baptisms grew by 8% when compared to 2021. The rate of growing churches increased for the first time in a decade (since 2012)."

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I'm talking with Dr. Clarensau about these hopeful trends, as well as more challenging ones that need to be monitored. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Dr. Michael Clarensau is Statistician of the Assemblies of God. An ordained AG minister with decades of experience as a minister, leadership coach, and church revitalization consultant. He is the author, most recently, of When Prophets Want to Die: The Hardest Lessons God Will Ever Try to Teach You.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

· "Measuring Up: How to use church statistics more effectively"

· "Acts 2 Journey Special Report: Measuring Church Health"

SPONSOR COPY

This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project.

A subscription to Bible Engagement Project equips you with kids curriculum for elementary and preschoolers and small group resources for youth and adults. The curriculum library will give your church a deeper understanding of the Bible and help every age grow in their faith. The resources are available in English and Spanish.

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