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1307
Glenwood Ave.
Raleigh, NC 27605
919-832-9560 local
800-849-4433 toll free
919-834-7989 fax |
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THE
NEED
Our
conference faces a very real problem of
losing many of its churches and their
members over the next 10 to 15 years.
Some 340 of our 840 churches
average less than 50 people in worship
each Sunday, and most of these churches
have an average age in the range of 60
to 80 years old. Hundreds of
churches could close in the next 10 to
15 years. |
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problem has its roots in the changes in
our society following World War II. As the
young generation in that era returned from
war, many were able to receive an education
through the GI Bill and moved away from
their communities. Until that point, the
churches had been continually sustained
by the successive generations of local families.
That chain was broken, and now many of these
churches are simply aging out. While our
conference has many success stories of such
churches that have been able to transform
their ministries and take on new life, many
of these churches will not succeed. The
development of new churches will be an integral
part of overcoming this problem. |
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New
churches have more professions of faith,
attract more people unaffiliated with
the church, and have a strong draw for
new residents in communities. Recent U.S.
Census data show that North Carolina is
one of the fastest growing regions in
the country. Over the last decade, three
metropolitan areas in our conference's
territory rank in the top 40 nationally
for their rate of growth. As the population
grows, so does the need to welcome people
into places of worship.
New
residents are more likely to participate
in new groups - new churches with dynamic
leaders have a remarkable power to attract
new members. Professions of faith, signifying
the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord,
are significantly higher in newer churches
than in older churches. It is these new
churches that attract the most people
who are not affiliated with any church,
thus truly achieving the church's mission
of bringing people into a relationship
with Jesus Christ. And it is a powerful
leader whose message resonates, and who
runs the church efficiently and effectively,
that keeps people coming back every week. |
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New
churches also tend to be more successful
at drawing unaffiliated people because
older churches with an established membership
are sometimes hesitant to make an effort
to reach out to people who come from different
backgrounds. The differences may be based
on economic level, education, language,
age, race, culture, theology, or lifestyle.
New churches tend to be welcoming to anyone
who is seeking a place for themselves
in a faith community. |
"I
am the vine, you are the branches. He
who abides in me, and I in him, he it
is that bears much fruit, for apart from
me you can do nothing."
--- John 15:5
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