August 13, 2024

Why Some Declining Churches Like Their Pastors More as They Get Smaller

23 minutes

Though counterintuitive, some declining churches start to appreciate their pastors more. This dynamic is usually unhealthy, but not always. Thom and Sam discuss what they see in these situations. What was once unheard of has not become more common.

In certain situations, churches must shrink before they become healthier and grow. In these cases, the church is supporting a pastor through a difficult transition season.

In other situations, declining churches like how the pastor can give them more personal attention and cater the church to their preferences.

A greater portion of churches are in decline, so this phenomenon is becoming more common.

Smaller is never a good long-term goal.

Making disciples the way God designed requires an outward emphasis.

Making disciples with an inward focus usually kills a church.

Resources:

Kids GO Bible

Kids GO Bible video

Tyndale House Publishers

Receive a $500 scholarship off of any of our diplomas at Church Answers University. For scholarship information, email [email protected].

Brown Church Development Group

Get your FREE eBook, Deferred Maintenance

Good News Neighbors

Invite Your One

Church Answers Central

The Everything Church Resource Directory

The Hope Initiative

Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector

Episode Sponsors:

When God calls, it’s time to go!

The Go Bible is bursting with fun and engaging content to help kids explore God’s Word and go share it with others. Paired with the accurate, easy-to-read NLT translation, this kids’ Bible plants seeds of faith and shares the life-changing love of God with kids through over 600 features centered on the theme of transformation.

Key Benefits of the Go Bible:

Easy to Understand

The NLT’s accurate and accessible Bible text uses familiar words that speak to the hearts and minds of readers without having to process technical biblical language. Perfect for readers age 7+.

Big Font Size and Colored Text

The Go Bible is the full Bible formatted with a 9.5-point font size and a two-column format. Chapter numbers are red and verse numbers are blue, making them easy for children to find. Perfect for reading alone or out loud with an adult.

Emphasizes the Theme of Transformation

The message of the Bible has transformative effects on the lives of believers. That’s why every feature in the Go Bible emphasizes how God’s power transforms the lives of people in the Bible, and our lives today.

Packed with More than 600 Features Connecting Bible Truths to Everyday Life

Includes several features tying Bible truth to modern-day life.

The Go Bible is available wherever Bibles are sold online, KidsGoBible.com or at your favorite local bookstore!

Receive a $500 scholarship off of any of our diplomas at Church Answers University. For scholarship information, email [email protected].

The post Why Some Declining Churches Like Their Pastors More as They Get Smaller appeared first on Church Answers.

...more

View all episodes

By Thom Rainer

4.8

461461 ratings

August 13, 2024

Why Some Declining Churches Like Their Pastors More as They Get Smaller

23 minutes

In certain situations, churches must shrink before they become healthier and grow. In these cases, the church is supporting a pastor through a difficult transition season.

In other situations, declining churches like how the pastor can give them more personal attention and cater the church to their preferences.

A greater portion of churches are in decline, so this phenomenon is becoming more common.

Smaller is never a good long-term goal.

Making disciples the way God designed requires an outward emphasis.

Making disciples with an inward focus usually kills a church.

Resources:

Kids GO Bible

Kids GO Bible video

Tyndale House Publishers

Receive a $500 scholarship off of any of our diplomas at Church Answers University. For scholarship information, email [email protected].

Brown Church Development Group

Get your FREE eBook, Deferred Maintenance

Good News Neighbors

Invite Your One

Church Answers Central

The Everything Church Resource Directory

The Hope Initiative

Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector

Episode Sponsors:

When God calls, it’s time to go!

Key Benefits of the Go Bible:

Easy to Understand

The NLT’s accurate and accessible Bible text uses familiar words that speak to the hearts and minds of readers without having to process technical biblical language. Perfect for readers age 7+.

Big Font Size and Colored Text

Emphasizes the Theme of Transformation

Packed with More than 600 Features Connecting Bible Truths to Everyday Life

Includes several features tying Bible truth to modern-day life.

The Go Bible is available wherever Bibles are sold online, KidsGoBible.com or at your favorite local bookstore!

Receive a $500 scholarship off of any of our diplomas at Church Answers University. For scholarship information, email [email protected].

The post Why Some Declining Churches Like Their Pastors More as They Get Smaller appeared first on Church Answers.

...more