1. 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

2. The Life Cycle of a Church

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

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

5. 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

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

7. Death:
Final stage
Close the doors of the church

8. 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

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

10. “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

11. “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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. The Life Cycle of a Church