Comments on: Good news, bad news for the US church http://www.movements.net/2008/04/28/good-news-bad-news-for-the-us-church.html The companion website to the new book by Steve Addison Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:09:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Will Henderson http://www.movements.net/2008/04/28/good-news-bad-news-for-the-us-church.html/comment-page-1#comment-97123 Will Henderson Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:18:09 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/?p=1178#comment-97123 That is good news. But even if as Eds research indicates that of his sample 40% of the church plants have closed by year four it still is a pretty high death rate... Scary, risky and exciting. It forces us to be serious about the need for proper prepartion, prayer, coaching, clear expectations and the other things you outlined in : http://www.steveaddison.net/2007/07/20/why-new-churches-survive.html That is good news. But even if as Eds research indicates that of his sample 40% of the church plants have closed by year four it still is a pretty high death rate… Scary, risky and exciting. It forces us to be serious about the need for proper prepartion, prayer, coaching, clear expectations and the other things you outlined in :
http://www.steveaddison.net/2007/07/20/why-new-churches-survive.html

]]> By: Steve http://www.movements.net/2008/04/28/good-news-bad-news-for-the-us-church.html/comment-page-1#comment-96713 Steve Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:55:12 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/?p=1178#comment-96713 I agree Will. Like the ski instructor said, "If you're not falling over, you're not learning." But the good news is that the 80% closure rate for new churches is not true: http://www.steveaddison.net/2007/07/20/why-new-churches-survive.html I agree Will. Like the ski instructor said, “If you’re not falling over, you’re not learning.” But the good news is that the 80% closure rate for new churches is not true:

http://www.steveaddison.net/2007/07/20/why-new-churches-survive.html

]]> By: Will Henderson http://www.movements.net/2008/04/28/good-news-bad-news-for-the-us-church.html/comment-page-1#comment-96509 Will Henderson Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:01:30 +0000 http://www.steveaddison.net/?p=1178#comment-96509 My initial thought is this - the reason increased growth of the evangelical church correlates with the increased closures is simply because they are at least planting churches. Sure some of the ‘plants’ will close (70-80%) but some of the new congregations (around 20-30%) will survive, grow and reproduce. It is these fresh churches that have broken the missional code of their context and have been able to share the timeless truth of the gospel in a clear and culturally appropriate way. The mainline churches it seems are in deep trouble. Sure they may not be closing as many as the evangelicals now… but just wait, it will come with a landslide unless they become missional again. Missionaries take huge risks to reach those who’re far from God! Some die. The cost is in the short term, but the fruit is seen in the long term harvest. Wouldn’t it be logical to think that it’s the same with denominations? My initial thought is this – the reason increased growth of the evangelical church correlates with the increased closures is simply because they are at least planting churches. Sure some of the ‘plants’ will close (70-80%) but some of the new congregations (around 20-30%) will survive, grow and reproduce. It is these fresh churches that have broken the missional code of their context and have been able to share the timeless truth of the gospel in a clear and culturally appropriate way.

The mainline churches it seems are in deep trouble. Sure they may not be closing as many as the evangelicals now… but just wait, it will come with a landslide unless they become missional again. Missionaries take huge risks to reach those who’re far from God! Some die. The cost is in the short term, but the fruit is seen in the long term harvest. Wouldn’t it be logical to think that it’s the same with denominations?

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