March 12, 2024

The Impact of Doctrine on Church Growth

23 minutes

Does the doctrine of the church affect the potential for growth? It depends. Thom and Sam analyze historical macro trends in church growth. Growing churches tend to be more conservative, and liberal churches tend to decline. But doctrine alone is not the entire story. The co-hosts discuss recent church history, doctrine, and the growth of churches.

There are always several factors at play in an individual congregation, but trends are evident across denominations and networks.

Historically, conservative churches grew due to transfer growth and biological growth.

More progressive and liberal churches declined because of lower birth rates and a lack of retention with younger congregants.

Conservative evangelicals are the only group with higher attendance rates today than in the past.

Doctrine is not the only driver. The SBC is a conservative denomination that has declined rapidly, likely due to scandals and a toxic culture.

Plenty of conservative churches do not grow because they become inward, so doctrine alone is not a good predictor of growth.

A commitment to the Great Commission remains the biggest driver of growth. We rarely, if ever, encounter a church with an ongoing evangelism emphasis that is not growing.

Resources:

Upward Sports

California Baptist University

Get your FREE eBook, Deferred Maintenance

Know Your Beliefs – Coming soon!

West Bradenton

West Bradenton on YouTube

“Why Conservative Churches Are Growing” by Dean M. Kelley

Ryan Burge

The Hope Initiative

Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector

Check out the Church Answers Christian bookstore! Shop curated, trusted resources for Christian life and ministry.

Episode Sponsors:

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Did you know that fewer than 20% of Southern Baptist pastors have a bachelor’s degree?

That is according to a past Pew Research study.

How can this be combated and how can we prepare our churches for the future?

California Baptist University has a solution.

CBU offers a full breadth of courses through its online degree programs.

Whether you’re looking to start your degree, finish your degree, or prepare leaders in your church for advancement opportunities, CBU’s degree programs provide a flexible, online learning environment.

Classes start every eight weeks, so you can begin any time.

An online degree can:

Help you gain a better understanding of your life’s purpose;

Symbolize competence and integrity in your career; and

Provide you with the skills and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of others.

Your team may benefit from a degree in business, leadership, finance, communications or Christian studies. There are dozens of online degrees available to you!

The online Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministries develops servant leaders with the tools for understanding and communicating biblical truths.

This degree prepares students for active leadership roles in the church, parachurch and Christian organizations.

Financial aid is available, and thanks to CBU donors, online undergraduate degrees in Christian Ministries and Christian Studies may qualify for additional scholarship, making earning your degree more affordable.

Visit calbaptist.edu to learn more.

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By Thom Rainer

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