It's sad but true. Churches are in danger of dying. 2023 Guardian statistics reveal church attendance was down to 85% of what it was pre-pandemic. Although the pandemic may play a role, the article cites that people may be moving away from religion.
The situation is unfortunate, but if you are familiar with the signs of a dying church, you can address issues before they get worse. For example, you may notice declining attendance. Perhaps baptisms aren't happening, people aren't being saved, or tithes are decreasing. These signs indicate a need to act.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to bring people back to your church. You can promote community involvement, expand your outreach efforts, reallocate your budget, and provide innovative programs, ensuring your church attracts broader populations and age groups.
The task is not easy, but this article will break it down for you, discussing common signs of a dying church and suggesting solutions. With the right approach, you can help people refind their religion and rebuild a thriving church community.
Table of Contents
- 15 Warning Signs to Watch Out For
- Free Course to End the Decline [Dozens of FREE Resources and Tools]
- FAQs
- Free Guide to Support Church Leaders!
Why Do You Need to Know the Signs of a Dying Church?
Before the pandemic, churches were already closing at an alarming rate. In 2019, around 4,500 churches closed. Church closures increased further during the pandemic due to new pressures, and projections for the future remain bleak. In fact, one report suggested as many as 100,000 churches would close in the U.S. over the next few decades.
With the average church congregation size already less than half the size it was in 2000, what are shrinking churches to do?
Unfortunately, once a church is forced to close its doors, there’s little anyone can do to bring it back. Rebuilding is an option, but it will take time. It's essential to recognize the warning signs before your church reaches that point.
Join us as we highlight the warning signs of a dying church and offer practical strategies to turn things around.
1. Unhealthy Prayer Culture
Philippians 4:6 tells the church not to be anxious about anything, but in everything... to present your requests to God by prayer. So, how is your church's prayer life?
One of the clear signs of a dying church is an unhealthy prayer culture. Your church should be coming together and praying for each other.
An unhealthy church doesn't have a sense of God's presence, so members don't prioritize prayer. They don't have that sense of His presence and don't expect prayers to be answered.
If your church doesn't have faith in God, it's either already dead or dying quickly.
What to Do About It
Do you have a weekly prayer meeting that members aren't attending? Do you know why they're not attending?
Finding out the why is the most critical step. From that point, you can create a plan to address the concerns.
For example, maybe your church's inactive membership want to attend but don't have anyone to watch their kids. There are two potential solutions to this problem.
The first solution is to provide child care. Have members rotate as volunteers so the same people don't miss the meeting every week.
Another possible solution is to move the prayer meeting to the same time as your kids' program. This would allow families to drop off their children with volunteers while engaging in prayer. The downside to this solution is that it prevents anyone working in the kids' program from attending.
Other reasons members might not attend include:
- Time
- Feeling awkward
- Other commitments
You will never find a solution that pleases everyone. However, a prayer meeting with regular attendance will help. You can then set up small groups for people who can't attend the weekly prayer meeting or Sunday worship service.
Check out our podcast episode to learn how to set up prayer meetings at your church.
If you are still unsuccessful in setting up a prayer group, the problem could go deeper. Maybe your congregation doesn't understand the importance of prayer. It could be time to talk about what your prayer life should look like.
2. Attendance Is Consistently Decreasing
How has attendance been over the past couple of years of your church life cycle? If you're experiencing declining church attendance, it could mean your church is in trouble.
What to Do About It
The solution here is to find the “why.” Are people leaving the church? Are they not comfortable returning even with lifting restrictions? Do they not feel comfortable, in general?
You can’t start improving church attendance until you know why your members are disgruntled and have stopped coming. This is a great time to check in with members you haven't seen in a while. Not only will that help them feel noticed and cared for, but it will give you the answers you need.
You might find out that they stopped coming to church because they felt unseen. In that case, taking the time to reach out may bring them back.
We understand that leadership is stretched thin, and you may not have time to reach out to members individually. However, there are other ways to help your members feel valued. Start by implementing small groups and other fun church events to ensure that every member feels like they have a place.
3. Baptisms Aren't Happening
Whether your church believes in infant baptism or baptisms after salvation, if they're not happening, your church might be in trouble.
If infant baptisms aren't happening, it could be because of the age of your church. If baptisms after salvation aren't occurring, it's a sign that people aren't being saved or don't understand the importance of baptism.
What to Do About It
If your members don't understand the importance of baptism, it's time to educate them. If infant baptisms are slow, you may need to devise ways to appeal to families with young children. These church revitalization strategies should help.
4. People Aren't Being Saved
When was the last time you welcomed a new believer into your church? More importantly, when was the last time you shared the Gospel?
If people aren't being saved, you need to question whether you're doing your job as a church leader following the Great Commission.
What to Do About It
There are a couple of solutions to this. A big one is outreach. You don't need to go knocking on doors or stand on a corner shouting the gospel, but you do need to get outside of your church bubble. If you spend all your time working for religious organizations, going to church, and going to a Christian school, you're not going to have the opportunity to reach others.
You must attract nonbelievers through various channels. For example, you may offer events and small groups that are not as focused on religion and make nonbelievers feel comfortable attending church. You can also reach out through digital channels like social media and website SEO.
You must also use the right approach when attracting nonbelievers. This is not about forcing your beliefs on others. It's about loving them and helping them see what you believe.
Although a strong religious approach may alienate some nonbelievers, you must also preach the gospel at your churches. Every week there is the potential that someone can walk in your doors and hear you preach. They may become enlightened and decide to return.
5. Tithes Are Decreasing
Tithes are typically a main source of church revenue, with 77% of tithers giving more than the recommended 10% of their income. However, statistics show only 5% of people tithe, meaning churches aren't collecting like they used to.
These falling numbers could be directly related to low church attendance. Since people aren't in church to give, tithes are decreasing. Members may also forget to bring cash, further contributing to church finance challenges.
What to Do About It
While the best solution is to bring people back to church, you can also increase revenue by offering other platforms for giving. Online giving is an effective tool. It allows people to give from the comfort of their homes or when they are out and about. Virtual platforms also address the issue of people who may not have brought cash to church for tithing donations.
Vanco offers an online giving platform that provides an effective solution. It has increased giving by 159% in the 25,000 benchmarked churches. Find out more by downloading our study.
Online platforms also encourage recurring giving. When filling out forms, donors can click a box to sign up for recurring donations. Funds are automatically transferred out of their account, simplifying the process for donors and churches.
A Bonterra article shows recurring donors give 42% more than one-time donors. A Neon One article reveals that recurring donors are more generous and show more church community engagement than one-time donors.
6. Age of the Congregation
There's not an easy way to say this, but if your church consists of only aging members, then your church may literally die out.
We're not saying you shouldn't value your senior members. But if your entire congregation is composed of older adults, you may be in trouble. You need to market to a younger crowd.
What to Do About It
First, it's important to address why your older members left. It's possible that some have passed or are too ill to attend church. However, they could have left for another reason.
Reach out to them to find out the reason behind their lack of attendance and try to get them back.
Next, you must focus on marketing to a younger generation. Determine ways you can get youth involved in the church. For example, if you're in an urban community, you may find younger people willing to lead a youth group.
You can also give the youth in your community a place to go. Many urban areas lack safe alternatives for teens, and your church can become that. Offer youth events and recreational activities so they think of the facility as a gathering place.
Churches should also consider that many of the younger generations attend church less often or aren't church members. In fact, we've started to see this trend growing with the millennial generation and continuing onto younger generations. A 2022 Barna report found that about 35% of Millennials identify as "spiritual but not religious" and prefer to explore their faith in more informal, personal ways.
This means that many churches should expand their church outreach to the unchurched to continue their growth. We completed a free guide on reaching the unchurched, which details the strategies you need to employ to connect with them and prevent church stagnation.
7. Lack of Disciple Making
Are you investing in a younger generation of believers? Many people grow up in the church, but as they get older, they need guidance to navigate life's struggles.
In addition, people who are new to the church need that guidance on a different level. If you're not taking the time to invest in this younger generation, you're setting your church up for failure, and it can be one of the signs of a dying church.
Your younger members will end up going to churches that give them what they need.
What to Do About It
Set up a men's and women's discipleship program. Allow your members to connect with each other.
Remember that discipleship can go both ways. As your more mature members take a younger generation under their wing, they're also learning.
You can allow your groups to develop their own curriculum, or offer guidance if they need something to discuss. The important part is to allow the conversations to begin.
To better understand how to expand discipleship in your church, we have created a comprehensive discipleship training guide that takes you through a proven process step by step.
8. The Church isn't Serving Others
Are you having a hard time getting members to volunteer for programs like VBS, AWANA clubs or other service positions within the church? That can be signs of a dying church. If you can't get your members to fulfill these positions, your programs will die as the members who do volunteer become overworked and overwhelmed.
What to Do About It
Here are some ways you can attract volunteers:
- Mention the perks of volunteering when you advertise for these positions. For example, volunteers may be attracted by the prospect of learning new skills, connecting with others, or being a part of something bigger than themselves.
- Provide rewards. It's not only about attracting volunteers, it's about retaining them. You can improve retention with verbal recognition, like small rewards and gift cards. Offer benefits that will engage them with the community.
9. Community Involvement is Missing
A church needs community to grow. Its members should come to the church, get involved in causes, and make donations. If that's not happening, your church could be dying.
It also needs to be a place that invites the community in and loves them.
What to Do About It
Your first mission field starts in your backyard. How can you serve your community? Work with your members to find church event ideas that can help you connect with the community. If you're looking for some inspiration, you can try this list of 55 church outreach ideas.
For example, you could run a VBS program and market to the community. Send out buses to pick up kids whose parents can't bring them or have a family night where parents can come.
Or, if your church has a gym, sponsor a youth basketball team that can practice there.
Do you live in an urban area? Go into the community and take food to the homeless and have conversations with them.
Make your building a place where the community feels welcomed and members connect and love the people around them.
10. Change is Resisted
Change is uncomfortable but necessary. However, if your church is dying, change needs to be made quickly. Are you trying to make changes and continually hitting a wall of resistance?
That's a problem and can be one of the warning signs for churches. Something needs to be done.
What to Do About It
The key solution here is recognizing if your church is resisting change because they're stuck in the past, or for valid reasons. This is an excellent time to step back and evaluate the changes you want to make from an objective point of view. Doing so will help you determine if your changes will support growth or alienate your community.
Ask yourself if the changes are biblical and in line with your church's mission. If the answer is yes, it's time to have conversations with your members about the need for change.
If the answer is no, it's time to reconsider the changes you want to make.
Churches aiming to guide and manage change effectively should check out our change management guide tailored for churches. This resource offers strategies and insights to help leaders implement change smoothly. It aids in understanding change management principles, effective communication with members and developing approaches to overcome resistance, fostering adaptability and growth within the church.
11. Relationship with God Is Struggling
It's time for a church health check. Is God missing from your church? How are your members doing in their own relationship with God?
If your church is struggling with its spiritual vitality, you may be dealing with a dying church. You also need to do a spiritual health check to address church leadership issues.
As a leader, you should be setting an example. If your relationship with God is struggling, you need to do something about it. This will allow you to help your members as you address the church.
What to Do About It
Take the time to refocus your church, emphasizing spiritual health and personal time spent with God.
From the pulpit, you play a significant role. It's your job as a church leader to shepherd your people with biblical teachings.
What opportunities is the church taking to help members grow in their relationship with God? Small groups and discipleship programs can be helpful.
You can also take the time to talk to your congregation about walking with God when they exit the doors every Sunday. Encourage healthy spiritual habits and ensure that there is accountability.
12. Congregation Is Preference Driven
Are decisions made in your church because of what the congregation prefers versus a biblical reason? For example, maybe you choose not to implement modern music because a group of members would rather have an organ player or traditional hymns.
Driving decisions based on preference limits your church. There is no reason you can't have a guitar instead of a piano for lead worship. However, you do walk a fine line.
If members don't feel comfortable with changes being made, will they stop coming? Will not making changes drive away others and prevent your church from growing?
What to Do About It
You can't please everyone and doing so may limit growth. However, there are solutions that will please more of the people more of the time.
For example, if your church is big enough to hold two services, try running a contemporary service and a traditional service. If that's not an option, find a compromise.
One week, do more traditional music; the next week, do more contemporary music. You will not please everyone, but if a member stops coming to your church because their preference isn't being met, that's another conversation that needs to happen.
13. Desire for Affirmation from People vs. God
The leaders of your church should work to serve God. That should be their ultimate goal.
If your church leaders are more focused on their standing amongst people than God, you have a problem. There are a few obvious signs that your church is looking for affirmation from people.
These leaders aim for a “good job” or “congratulations” from people, similar to the Pharisees that stood on the corners. They wanted affirmation from men about how holy they were. They were seeking attention, which meant that their primary goal wasn't to please God.
Another sign is focusing your sermons on what people want to hear. By doing that, you aren't delivering the hard truths that your church members need to hear to grow.
Whether you're doing this because you're afraid of upsetting your congregation, or because you want an attaboy, this is a dangerous place to find yourself as a church.
What to Do About It
We're human; wanting affirmation is normal. However, it's about finding that balance.
Your leaders need to be seeking God first. As they seek God, they can set an example. Encourage your members to serve and give not for praise but to honor God.
You can get affirmation from other areas of your life, but your ministry should not be centered around getting affirmation. If you build your church on the things you do, it will quickly die.
14. Your Budget is Focused Inwardly
Where is the church spending money? A church that solely focuses on paying salaries and keeping the lights on isn't reaching out to its community. The church must use some of its budget to engage in outreach.
What to Do About It
If your church is dying, it may be time to refocus your budget. How are you using it to further missions or outreach in the community? If your budget does not support ministry outreach, try another approach.
For example, you could purchase a bus with showers for the homeless. You can also set up a serving station to serve community meals.
You can also invest in regular church maintenance to ensure your facilities are up to par. Or you can use the money to host events to help the community connect and attract new members.
15. Innovation Is Rare
New churches must be innovative. To reach people and grow, they need to come up with new ideas and events.
However, older churches often struggle to innovate. They get stuck doing the same things repeatedly because it works and don't try anything new.
As a result, they fail to cater to modern sensibilities and attract new members. Their existing members may also become bored and seek out new worship options.
You don't necessarily need to reinvent the whole wheel, but doing things differently will help you reach different people. Innovation is vital for the health of the church.
What to Do About It
If your church is constantly doing the same things, it's time to shake it up. Sit down and look at what you're doing.
Ask yourself the following four questions:
- Who are we reaching?
- How are we reaching them?
- Who do we want to reach?
- What do we need to change?
This approach will help you draw new people in. It will allow your church to innovate and reach new people.
Don’t Wait Until the Warning Signs Turn Into a Closure Notice
The signs of a dying church aren’t always dramatic, but they’re always dangerous. You’ve seen them: declining attendance, a stagnating ministry, resistance to change, a struggling prayer culture. The question isn’t whether these issues exist—it’s what you’re doing about them.
We’ve spent decades studying these patterns across tens of thousands of churches. The good news? There’s a clear path to growth and revitalization. And we’re handing it to you—for free. No fluff, no guesswork—just a proven system backed by results.
Access your free church growth course now by clicking on the playlist below!
All the free materials we mentioned are in the show notes of each episode.
FAQs
How long does church revitalization take?
Church revitalization typically takes 12-15 months to implement and an ongoing commitment of three years. However, the timeframe can vary depending on your church's goals.
Typically, churches should dedicate 12-15 months to the implementation process, determining goals and a plan of action. The team will need to work hard to follow through over three years to ensure they see real growth. After that time, the church should fall naturally into new, recommended processes.
Although revitalization takes a long time, churches will see the fruits of their labor before their project is completed, motivating them to carry on.
Should we consider merging with another church?
Merging with another church can be a beneficial branding move. It can help the church access different resources, reach new audiences, and foster a sense of community.
However, churches must think carefully about these partnerships before they make permanent changes. The partner church should align with their missions and goals. It's advisable to consult with various stakeholders to ensure the merger is the best move for your organization.
Is replanting or rebranding the best option?
Replanting and rebranding can both benefit dying churches. You should choose the one that best suits your organizational needs.
A church replant or restart requires a complete overhaul of your church. You may choose to update your name, leadership, and even your theological direction. It's a long and challenging process that can give your church a new start, but you will encounter internal and external church growth challenges along the way.
Rebranding involves updating the church's brand identity. You may change your logo, website, and statements, but you will still hold true to the church's mission and values. It may attract more visitors with less drama, but it may not address some underlying issues.
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