Podcast Episode #144

We explain the 10 symptoms found in sick churches. Some may exhibit a few of these—others may exhibit all of them. Jonathan also shares an idea for a church food blog.

Some highlights from today's episode include:

* Churches without a joyous spirit are most likely to be ones in decline.

* There needs to be a way to measure evangelistic fruit in your church.

* A church with a conversion ratio higher than 40:1 is showing symptoms of evangelistic sickness.

* Social ministry without sharing the gospel within the ministry context will not lead to evangelistic growth.

* Consider hosting ESL classes on Sunday mornings as an entry point to worship services.

* Church guest information cards have become too complicated and often ask too much information.

The 10 symptoms found in a sick church are:

* Declining worship attendance.

* Decline in frequency of attendance of church members.

* Lack of joy and vibrancy in the worship service.

* Little evangelistic fruit.

* Low community impact.

* More meetings than ministry.

* Acrimonious business meetings.

* Very few guests in worship services.

* Worship wars.

* Unrealistic expectations of pastoral care.

Episode Sponsor

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Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com.

Resources

* Autopsy of a Deceased Church

* Breakout Churches

* The Number One Reason for Decline in Church Attendance

* I Am a Church Member