Thom S. Rainer writes that a decade after his original research on churches that have closed their doors, Church Answers has continued to investigate this pressing issue. While the findings published in his bestselling book, “Autopsy of a Deceased Church,” remain relevant, new insights have emerged in recent years.
Five Updated Lessons from Closed Churches
Rainer shares five key lessons from churches that have shut down:
- The churches lacked ongoing efforts to reach and integrate the unchurched into their congregations.
- The pandemic accelerated the pace of decline and death for these churches.
- Church leaders and members were in denial, refusing to confront their reality until it was too late.
- The churches failed to set expectations for new members through dedicated classes.
- The churches relied on “silver bullets,” such as hiring new pastors or youth ministers, to turn things around instead of taking responsibility for their own ministry.
New Resource Coming in January 2023
Church Answers plans to release a major new resource in January 2023, which will provide more in-depth information on the issues related to church closures. This resource will help church leaders and members better understand the challenges they face and equip them with strategies to prevent their own churches from suffering the same fate.
The Importance of Confronting Reality
Rainer emphasizes the need for churches to confront their reality and take proactive steps to address the issues that lead to decline and closure. By setting clear expectations for members, actively reaching out to the unchurched, and taking responsibility for their own ministry, churches can increase their chances of survival and growth.
As the Church Answers team prepares to release their new resource, Rainer invites readers to share their thoughts and experiences related to church closures, fostering an open dialogue on this critical topic.
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