Rethinking and Restarting Churches
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Rom. 5:1)
Take a moment to reflect on Paul's triumphant declaration of our justification in Christ in the verses above. Because of Jesus, when God looks at us, it is "just as if I'd never sinned." He is not angry with us. He does not reject us. His posture towards us is like the father in the prodigal son story: He runs to meet us. Hallelujah! No matter what our situation, we need this assurance to face the challenges before us.
Craig and Maria attended a conference last month about the state of church planting in the US. Among the facts we learned:
The pandemic served as an accelerator to speed the dramatic attendance drop we've seen over the last 20 years. Weekly attendance dropped from 137 to 65 before the pandemic in 2020. While larger churches are showing a strong comeback now, smaller churches are continuing to decline or close.
In 2019, more churches closed than opened.
The percentage of those who claim no religious affiliation (“Nones”) was 6% in 1985; it was 25% in 2016
The US is continuing to become more multiethnic as our Hispanic, Black, and Asian population increases. In 2020, 70% of churchgoers were white; in 2050, only 44% will be white. Churches need to be intentional to reach our multiethnic world.
How do we start and grow churches? How do we reach our diverse world? How do we help pastors and their families thrive when 63% say their role is frequently overwhelming (up from 54% in 2015)? A Michigan State researcher concluded that the pastoral role is one of the most difficult he’s studied because of the number of roles pastors carry simultaneously, and how they must switch between those roles quickly. Not surprisingly, research shows that coaching helps pastors thrive. BALM is committed to raising cross-cultural, disciple-making leaders and coming alongside pastors and spouses with coaching and support.
