Debunking Myths about Church Growth with Research

Want to move beyond speculation and mythology about what is actually working in growing churches? The U.S. Congregational Life Survey provides a rare look at the facts.

Myth #1. Only congregations in growing areas are adding members

• Fact: Three strengths are positive predictors of growth — Caring for Children and Youth, Welcoming New People, and Participating in the Congregation.
• Fact: Other factors don't predict growth — denomination or faith group, congregational size, income levels of worshipers, average age of worshipers, and population growth around the church

Myth #2. Only new or recently established congregations are growing

• Fact: Less than half of fast-growing Presbyterian churches were established after 1960. Most are older.
  

Myth #3. Only large churches grow

• Fact: 39% of fast-growing Presbyterian churches have fewer than 200 in worship. Small congregations grow, too!

Myth #4. Most people have been attending their congregation for years and years

• Fact: One-third of worshipers are new in the last five years; in fast-growing churches one-half are new.
  

Myth #5. Most new people are new to the faith

• Fact: Most new people attending their congregation for five years or less have changed congregations within the same denomination (transfers: 57%). Only 7% are first-timers who are new to the faith. A few (18%) are returnees who used to attend worship but recently have not been involved, and 18% are switchers who changed denominations.

Myth #6. Denomination is irrelevant to church seekers

• Fact: Most new people (73%) say denomination is important in their search.
• Fact: Denomination is less important to mainline Protestants (59%) and those under the age of 25 (48%).

Myth #7. New people usually learn about the congregation from advertising

• Fact: Many new people (47%) visit for the first time because someone invited them; only 6% came for the first time due to advertising.
• Fact: Most new people visit between 1 and 3 congregations before choosing their new home.
• Fact: Advertising helps raise awareness of the congregation and can make current members feel proud of their congregation.

Myth #8. New people usually come back after the first time because of the coffee hour

• Fact: People return because of the quality of the sermon (36%), the friendliness of the people (32%), and the overall worship experience (30%).
• Fact: Too many new people (38%) report no follow-up from the congregation after their first visit. In Catholic parishes, 53% of new people report no follow-up.

Myth #9. Growing congregations rely exclusively on church signs and big advertising campaigns

• Fact: Growing congregations use multiple methods to attract new people.
• Fact: Growing congregations are more likely to hold events to meet new people or to add members, advertise in the newspaper or telephone book, use email, have a church Web site, and send materials to or telephone first-time visitors.

Myth #10. All congregations do the same things to integrate new worshipers

• Fact: Growing congregations use multiple methods to integrate new worshipers.
• Fact: Growing congregations are more likely to have a specific group for newcomers and to invite such people to take part in small groups or service opportunities.
  

Myth #11. New member integration methods are successful

• Fact: New people are less involved in their congregations than those who have been there for longer.
  

Myth #12. Worship services in growing churches offer only contemporary music

• Fact: Almost all worship services in growing Presbyterian churches (89%) include traditional hymns.
• Fact: Services in growing congregations are more likely to include contemporary music and laughter.

Chap Clark Video: Inside the World of Teenagers

The world has changed. Parents of teenagers know it. Watch Dr. Chap Clark's guided tour of the world as teenagers know it.

Chap Clark - Inside the World of Today's Teenagers - Part 1 of 3 from MPPC on Vimeo.

Chap Clark - Inside the World of Today's Teenagers - Part 2 of 3 from MPPC on Vimeo.

Chap Clark - Inside the World of Today's Teenagers - Part 3 of 3 from MPPC on Vimeo.

Our Heroes - An Indictment

So, I'm taking a GRE practice test and I'm asked to respond to this statement "Sports stars and movie stars have an obligation to behave as role models to the young people who look up to them. In return for the millions of dollars that they are paid, we should expect them to fulfill this responsibility."

Here's what I said. Pretty sure it's barely adequate, but I found it interesting to reflect on nonetheless.

Many in our society assert that sports and movie starts are obligated to behave as role models because young people look to them as such. Furthermore, they have declared their enormous salaries as all the more reason to demand respectable living. While it is easy to sympathize with this position, the moral imperative that requires these cultural icon behave admirably is less defensible than the requirement of virtue that society as a whole must lift up only admirable persons into the limelight.

"The test of any culture is the stories they tell and the heroes they raise up," I once heard Nancy Ortberg, a Pastor in California, say. This truth is a grave indictment on our own culture. Indeed, our stars are a reflection the values we cherish. It would seem that our heroes are chosen on the merit of their physical appearance and ability and dramatic personalities. It is because our society values beauty and intrigue above character and integrity that our heroes so often lack virtue. However disgusted we may be with their failings, we must admit that these are the stars our own collective choosing. Claims that our society wants something different are disingenuous. Rather than railing against those who collect millions of dollars but live so poorly, we must learn to ask why it is that we are willing to make heroes of such individuals.

Some have suggested the salaries of stars should motivate them to behave as role models. While their exorbitant salaries do make their negative effects on our youth all the more disturbing, closer examination of this reasoning is needed. A persons behavior is always a reflection of their character. The notion that one can positively reshape behavior without transforming their character is false and this has been verified by millions of failed New Year's resolutions. With this understanding in place, it is clear that fundamental character reformation will not be instigated such by motivators such as money. This faulty logic could be compared to offering fame on the condition of genuine humility. Anyone who would be so motivated toward fame would have already disqualified themselves from the pursuit of genuine humility. Likewise, one who would attempt to use virtuous living as a means to acquire great wealth has already belied their lack of virtue.

It is a misapplication of blame to revile stars for failing to behave admirably. Stars will inevitably and always be those who do best what the culture values most. Stars do what they are paid to do, and very clearly ours are not paid to be role models. To the contrary, they are paid to entertain either through the drama of film or the competitive spectacle of sports. It is society as a whole that must accept the responsibility for the heroes it has created.

I am second

Check out this simple, clear way to bring stories of following Jesus to your glocal neighbors. I hope to see it, and others like it across the map.

www.iamsecond.com