Saturday, January 27, 2018

What Two Simple Statistics Reveal about the American Church


Statistics never tell the whole story, but they can validate a story exists. A chart detailing a decline in worship attendance cannot explain why the church is dying, but it does reveal the decline is actually occurring. During a recent church consultation, we interviewed a long-time member who refused to believe the church was declining. Even when we showed her a chart of their own numbers, she said, “You must have the wrong numbers.” If facts are our friends, then stats are our teachers. If we listen, we’ll learn.

Two simple statistics help explain the American church. There are other important church stats, but these two may surprise you.
1 .The median church size is 75 people.
2. The median church age is 73 years.
Most American churches are smaller—under 100 people. Most American churches are older—existing for several decades. The story of the American church is one of small, established congregations. Read More

Recommended:
Why Most Churches That Start Small...Stay Small
Beyond Groundhog Day

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