Becoming all

things to all men,

NOT a different

message, but an

appropriate

“wineskin”

Trends indicate 6 clear choices Trends indicate 6 clear choices for churches that have for churches that have decided to grow.decided to grow.

The Culture ChoiceThe Culture Choice

LEADERSHIP CHOICELEADERSHIP CHOICE

WORSHIP CHOICEWORSHIP CHOICE

INVOLVEMENT CHOICEINVOLVEMENT CHOICE

OUTREACH CHOICEOUTREACH CHOICE

Trends indicate 6 clear Trends indicate 6 clear choices for churches that choices for churches that have decided to grow.have decided to grow.

Choice # 6Choice # 6

The Identity ChoiceThe Identity Choice

Insofar as “Identity” is Insofar as “Identity” is concerned….concerned….

Rev. 2:1-7- Ephesus- working, Rev. 2:1-7- Ephesus- working, persevering, advocates of strong persevering, advocates of strong teachingteaching

2:8-11- Smyrna- financially poor, but 2:8-11- Smyrna- financially poor, but strong in characterstrong in character

Insofar as “Identity” is Insofar as “Identity” is concerned….concerned….

Rev. 2:12-17- Pergamum- resistent Rev. 2:12-17- Pergamum- resistent to outside forces, indulgent to erring to outside forces, indulgent to erring brethrenbrethren

2:18-29- Thyatira- faithful, growing, 2:18-29- Thyatira- faithful, growing, hardworking, and also indulgent to hardworking, and also indulgent to erring Christianserring Christians

Insofar as “Identity” is Insofar as “Identity” is concerned….concerned….

Rev. 3:1-6- Sardis- reputation for life Rev. 3:1-6- Sardis- reputation for life but spiritually deadbut spiritually dead

3:7-13- Philadelphia- small, but 3:7-13- Philadelphia- small, but strong and faithfulstrong and faithful

3:14-22- Laodicea- financially rich 3:14-22- Laodicea- financially rich but lukewarmbut lukewarm

A church’s “identity” A church’s “identity” ultimately will decide that ultimately will decide that congregation’s future.congregation’s future.

Declining Churches Declining Churches will be focused will be focused

inwards on inwards on meeting member’s meeting member’s

needsneeds

Growing Growing Churches will Churches will

be focused be focused outwards on outwards on

non-membersnon-members

Philippians 2:3-4- Philippians 2:3-4- Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of

you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

““Identity” resides in the whole Identity” resides in the whole membership, thus you have a membership, thus you have a subculturesubculture

Mainline protestant Mainline protestant denominations exhibit a denominations exhibit a non-growth culture. Most non-growth culture. Most are declining since 1960.are declining since 1960.

The majority of growing The majority of growing churches have a churches have a conservative, Bible based conservative, Bible based subculture.subculture.

Churches of Christ have a conservative

subculture and are dedicated to evangelism. But

most are NOT growing,

although they’re set for growth.

Growing Churches Growing Churches Attract…Attract…

Drivers !Drivers ! Commuters, Commuters,

people used to people used to traveltravel

Especially if the road is a major one, the Especially if the road is a major one, the neighborhood is good, and the work is neighborhood is good, and the work is donedone

Kirk Hadaway, latest researchKirk Hadaway, latest researchCHURCH GROWTH IN AMERICACHURCH GROWTH IN AMERICA

““Mainline denominations retain few Mainline denominations retain few visible characteristics that suggest a visible characteristics that suggest a future growth. They have moved so far future growth. They have moved so far from an outward orientation that their from an outward orientation that their situation may be beyond help. To the situation may be beyond help. To the contrary, Churches of Christ have a contrary, Churches of Christ have a potentially bright future. Even the potentially bright future. Even the declining congregations have not moved declining congregations have not moved beyond the ability to change.” beyond the ability to change.”

Congregations Must Make A Congregations Must Make A Choice When It Comes to…Choice When It Comes to…

Today’s cultureToday’s culture LeadershipLeadership

WorshipWorship InvolvementInvolvement

Outreach, andOutreach, and IdentityIdentity