(07-25-2018 03:27 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(07-25-2018 02:37 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(07-25-2018 12:04 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  From my perspective as an Evangelical Southern Baptist, the church will never be replaced based on the Scriptures until the return of Christ Jesus that will fulfill and complete the "church age" that we're currently in. I can cite Scripture if necessary. People are leaving churches, membership has declined, churches are closing, etc., but I think you have to take it into context. First, this has gone on for millenia as the church has had periods of corruption and low impact to periods of growth and revival. Second, growth/decline depends largely on the geographic area and the church denomination. I can speak from experience as my church membership here in North Carolina has grown from around 800 to 1,500 in under 15 years. We've done several building expansion/renovation projects and preparing for a third. Here are some links to help illustrate the numbers to consider...

Church in America

Church Growth/Decline

I think church in general has done a poor job in two areas: discipleship and adapting to the younger generation. Discipleship is the DAILY process of living as a Christian in a sinful world and how you relate to others and how to represent Christ Jesus. At my church we offer a wide variety of discipleship classes (typically Wednesday nights) that does just that - teaching why and how to CONTINUALLY develop your discipleship practices and actions and how it benefits you and those around you. In terms of young people, the church has to find better ways to communicate and make church a place of fellowship and fun without losing the preaching and teaching of the Holy Scriptures' core doctrine. For example, my church uses a praise and worship band consisting of guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, etc. Why? Because younger folks relate to this music style better than traditional (e.g., choir, gospel, etc.) music. As someone who grew up on rock, blues, folk, jazz, etc., it blew my mind when I heard our band for the first time playing contemporary Christian music. It was the "hook" that God used to set in my heart to desire worshiping Him. We also have a coffee/sandwich shop in our church that is open to the public. We offer wireless internet service (free), and many folks now use a download smart phone/tab app for following the Sunday Sermon message outline instead of the traditional paper copy. We also provide all kinds of year round activities and programming for young families because that is where your growth and future church members are.

As a person who has helped plant a couple congregations.

Church isn't ever going away. It may be smaller and likely will be much smaller.

Liberated of people who there because they see attendance as important to a political career or business career will correct a lot of problems.

A number of churches have driven full speed down a dead end street. Any pastor who thinks abortion and homosexuals (or worse, abortion, homosexuals, and the tax code) are the biggest issues in a person's life is missing the boat, the pier, and the whole harbor.

Toss in the prosperity gospel folks and it has been a battle.

One of the reasons I'm the odd duck not complaining about Millennials is because I've found them to mostly be immune to the old avenues of being evangelized. You go clean up parks, help an inner city school, do things for the homeless, try to help people just out of prison get on their feet and explain to them why we exist and you can get them. Offer some weak argument like "well what if you are wrong and there is a God" and you can hang it up.

Its the liberals in the churches driving the homosexual issue as the most important one.

Maybe where you live.

The church my mother went to before dementia kept her from going railed constantly about homosexuals.

A church I attended for a time it was a constant theme. I finally left (though I was tired of that, looking at the budget on "budget Sunday" sent me packing, I've done enough church budgets to understand when an organization's mission is itself). Not sure how the music minister was able to sit through all those sermons on the evils of homosexuality and their intention to destroy America and Christianity since he resigned a few years after I left because he was being blackmailed by his gay lover. Got his replacement hired and the pastor got fired but not before the cops put their special bracelets on him, but at least it was underage girls.