Why Do We Assess? The Importance of Knowing ‘What Is’!

The Biblical Precedent for Assessment The Letters to the 7 churches in Revelation The Epistles Someone from the Outside comes in. They exam what is. From an understanding of what needs to be they give instruction or “prescriptions” The Tale of Five Churches

Christianity in the World

Christianity in the World The largest faith group in the world is Christianity Of the 7 billion people in the world 32% would identify themselves as Christian. Perhaps not as you or I define Christian. in 1850 Budhism was the #1 religion

Christianity in the World Christianity is the fastest growing faith in the world. Five hot spots for the gospel in the world today: China India Indonesia Brazil Nigeria Latin America and China are believed to be experiencing 30,000 converts daily each

Christianity in the World Three main places where the church is losing ground are the three places significantly impacted by the Reformation Europe North America Australia/New Zealand Source: World Christian Database

Christianity in America

Christianity in America Less than 20% of Americans attend religious services every week. Evangelical participation is less than 8% to 10%. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-mcswain/why-nobody-wants- to-go-to_b_4086016.html) Churches lose an estimated 2,765,000 people each year to nominalism and secularism. (from the Barna Study -- www.barna.org) In America, 3500 — 4000 churches close their doors each year. (from the Barna Study -- www.barna.org) The increase in churches by church planting is only 1/4 of what’s needed to keep up with population growth.

Christianity in America Growing churches make up only about 6% of all U.S. churches today. The rest (94%) have reached a plateau or are declining. The Median size (50% above/50% below) of the church in America is 75. The Average size of the church in America is 140 http://hirr.hartsem.edu/research/fastfacts/fast_facts.html Established churches — 40 to 190 years old — are, on average, declining. In 2050, the percentage of the U.S. population attending church will be almost half of what it was in 1990. http://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/139575-7-startling-facts-an-up-close-look-at-church-attendance-in-america.html/5

A Brief History of Conservative Baptist

LIFE CYCLE of an ORGANIZATION MATURITY Multiplying Maintaining Decline Phase → Outward Focus Proactive Mission-Driven Future-oriented Innovative Risk-Taking Organic Adaptable Energetic Acquisition Discovery Inward Focus Reactive Preference-Driven Past-oriented Standardized Risk-Averse Institutional Rigid Lethargic Preservation Protection / Fear GROWTH INSTITUTIONAL Growth Phase → Descent to Death BIRTH ORGANIC ORGANIZATIONAL

VISION & Mission Clarity Missional RELATIONSHIPS INVOLVEMENT of People MATURITY Multiplying Maintaining Decline VISION & Mission Clarity Missional RELATIONSHIPS INVOLVEMENT of People STRUCTURE, Organization and Programs Attitude Toward CHANGE MORALE, Self-esteem and Confidence Phase → INSTITUTIONAL GROWTH Growth Phase → Descent to Death BIRTH ORGANIC ORGANIZATIONAL

LIFE CYCLE of an ORGANIZATION “When you give birth to an organization, you birth it with both the seeds of its possible success and the seeds of its potential demise. It is a reality that can’t be avoided.” Howard Hendricks as spoken to Walk Through the Bible as told by Bert Downs

A Brief History of Conservative Baptist Birthed as a mission impulse expressed in a mission society. Launched out of reaction to: perceived theological error. denominational structure. authoritarian leadership.

A Brief History of Conservative Baptist The association of churches (CBA of America) started as an organizational after-thought. Embraced significant variations in church approaches, structures, polity and even theology. Held together by “denominational memory (delusion)” over the generations.

A Brief History of Conservative Baptist The seeds for potential success were: Missional Commitment Theological Conservatism

A Brief History of Conservative Baptist The seeds for potential demise were: a negative response to authority. fiercely held congregational independence. Our dominant feature has become autonomy.

The Tale of 5 Churches

Multiplying Maintaining 90% of the churches we assess MATURITY Where is your CHURCH? Where is your REGION? Multiplying Maintaining Decline 90% of the churches we assess Phase → Outward Focus Proactive Mission-Driven Future-oriented Innovative Risk-Taking Organic Adaptable Energetic Acquisition Discovery Inward Focus Reactive Preference-Driven Past-oriented Standardized Risk-Averse Institutional Rigid Lethargic Preservation Protection / Fear INSTITUTIONAL GROWTH Growth Phase → Descent to Death BIRTH ORGANIC ORGANIZATIONAL