The Life Cycle of a Church FORWARD FOCUS The Life Cycle of a Church Marion First United Methodist Church Created by Fonda Rist & Sandy Eaddy

The Life Cycle of a Church

Birth: The congregation is new The congregation understands its purpose Founding members set the expectations for the future Core beliefs are established

Formation: Growth in membership and ministry occur Continuation of core beliefs and ministry

Stability: Growth has slowed or stopped Doubt about the financial growth in the future Ministry is seen as what is done now Congregation is comfortable Hesitant to venture out to do new things

Decline: Loss of membership Decreased financial stability Ministry is inward instead of outward

Death: Final stage Close the doors of the church

Additional Information: Never a perfect symmetrical shape Not a semi-circle Often growth is steeper or gradual in decline Churches are different and change at different paces

Events and movements can cause a sharp increase or decrease in the rate of growth or decline.

“Where there is a future, there is always hope.” Source: Unknown “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Corrie Ten Boom

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Point of Inflection: A time of significant change in a situation; a turning point, which can occur at anytime during the Life Cycle of a Church.

Requirements: Internal decisions based on God’s will Easier on the growth side of the cycle Harder, more energy required, on the decline/death side of the cycle.

The Life Cycle of a Church