Source: Sam Rainer, Church Answers, via The Christian Post, April 4, 2021
I believe we are on the cusp of a church revitalization movement. The signs are there. Will churches follow them? On the road, a sign is no good unless it helps you travel to your destination. The signs point in the right direction for a church revitalization movement, but for it to happen churches will need to move.
1. Almost every church is smaller, but the core is stronger than ever. The return rate of people in churches is highly localized right now. Additionally, larger churches have lower return rates, while smaller churches are recovering more quickly. By this fall, Church Answers expects most congregations to be at 80% pre-pandemic levels.
2. The number of church adoptions [mergers] has the potential to catch the number of church closures. When a church is adopted, a healthier and stronger congregation receives a more vulnerable congregation into the family. Two families are brought together.
3. Pastor tenure will be longer after the great reshuffling. Like people in other professions, pastors are exhausted and struggling with decision fatigue. A great reshuffling is occurring. Over the long term, we expect pastor tenure to lengthen and get better, especially as Millennials enter the prime of their careers. With longer pastor tenures, revitalization is more likely.
4. The neighborhood church movement is primed for a launch. The neighborhood church is associated with a particular neighborhood. It is common for them to carry the name of the community. They were originally started in the community and for the community. For years, we have dismissed the potential for these churches. I believe they are primed for a comeback.
The full article includes links to a new “master class” and conference about church revitalization.
Also worth noting: As various sources report, less than half of Americans now claim a formal congregational membership (Baptist News).