The Unstuck Church Podcast with Amy Anderson

Why Some Churches Are NOT In Decline - Episode 361

Aug 14, 2024

Discover how some churches are thriving despite the overall decline in religious participation. Learn about the clear vision and mission-driven strategies that set these successful congregations apart. Hear insights on intentional church programming and how community engagement can transform a church's impact. Evaluate key strategies for church leaders to assess vitality and tackle growth challenges. Explore real-life examples that illuminate the path from stagnation to revitalization!

29:50

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Quick takeaways

Unstuck churches experience significant growth by embracing a clear vision and innovative strategies rather than traditional methods.

Empowered leadership within these churches fosters a dynamic environment that prioritizes equipping leaders to fulfill their mission effectively.

Deep dives

Data Trends in Church Growth

Current research shows that while the overall church attendance is declining in North America, many individual churches are witnessing significant growth and health. For instance, the latest Unstuck Church Report revealed an average attendance increase of 17% among participating churches, contradicting general assumptions about church decline. Notably, 14% of attendees in these churches reported making a decision to follow Jesus, underscoring that a large portion of churchgoers is engaging meaningfully with their faith. This growth is evident across varying church sizes, from small congregations to those with over 10,000 members, demonstrating a substantial and positive trend among these 'unstuck' churches.

Intro

2min

Thriving Churches: A New Approach

13min

Intentional Church Programming

10min

Essential Next Steps for Church Leaders

3min

Supporting Churches Through Growth Challenges

2min

People are often surprised when they read our reports for the first time.

Our data shows contradictory trends to much of what we read in general research.

For example, in our most recent edition of The Unstuck Church Report, the average year-over-year attendance increase was 17%. There’s clearly something different about the churches engaging with our surveys. Despite the headlines, we know 100s of churches that are NOT in decline.

So, are U.S. churches stuck or unstuck? Over the next two episodes, we’re going to try to explain what’s so different about unstuck churches—based on real-life examples—and give you some practical ways to make sense of the things contributing to church growth or decline.

For the full episode transcript, links mentioned during the show, and to download the Leader Conversation Guide, visit this episode's Show Notes at theunstuckgroup.com/episode361.

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Join the Conversation on Social Media

If you're listening on Wednesday when the episode first releases, join the live conversation The Unstuck Group's team will be having on social media about this week's topic. We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X. Or you can join in on Facebook.

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