What Growing Churches Believe

Statistics 80% churches in decline 8 churches close every day Median attendance = 75 Church of Christ = 13,000 USA Church of Christ growth rate = 1.6% U.S. population growth rate = 30%

Growing Churches Believe… Sin is the universal problem. 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, - Rom. 3:23

Different People – Same Conversion Eunuch – Ethiopian Saul – Jew Cornelius – Roman Lydia – Greek

Growing Churches Believe… Sin is the universal problem. Salvation is the Universal Hunger

All four people needed approval from God in the form of forgiveness, purification and acceptance

Growing Churches Believe… Sin is the universal problem. Salvation is the Universal Hunger The Gospel is the Universal Solution

12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. - Rom. 1:16

Only ONE Response to the Gospel Philip baptized the Eunuch – Acts 8:38 Ananias baptized Saul – Acts 9:18 Peter baptized Cornelius – Acts 10:47-48 Paul baptized Lydia – Acts 16:15

Different People Same Response

Sometimes Churches… Forget the basics Get away from the basics Don’t practice the basics

Church Growth is Built on the Understanding That : Sin is the problem Jesus is the answer Preaching the gospel is the way

Church Growth Begins With You!