The race before us 2016

THE RACE BEFORE US2015-2016

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Over the past 10 years church attendance has declined. There are 2.7 million fewer worshippers in attendance than last year.

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Approximately 4,000 churches close their doors every year.

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80% of new church plants fail within the first five years.

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In some areas local governments have added requirements and restrictions to make it more difficult for churches to exist.

The race is getting tougher to run!

bad news!

“For every house is built by someone, but He who builds all things is God.”

Hebrews 3:4

good news!

“God uses people to carry out His plans for the church, while orchestrating cultural trends, stimulating every idea and decision; distributing grace for every event or endeavor with outcomes that will effect a future far too comprehensive for any of us to understand.”

good news!bad news!The race is

getting tougher to run!

God builds His Church, and the

Gates of Hell won’t prevail

over it.

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Approximately 320,000 American churches open their doors every Sunday.

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Today, 217 denominations exist in the United States with over 56 million Americans attending church every Sunday.

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Generally, churchgoers are more deeply committed in their attendance and tithing than 10 years ago.

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Nearly 60% of all American churches have a membership of less than 100 people.

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Out of 320,000 churches, only 1,250 (.04%) are considered megachurches with attendance of over 2000.

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Megachurches attract the smallest percentage of churchgoers (10%),while the largest percentage (50%) attend churches with 100-500 members.

conclusions

Believers are more attracted to the cause of Christ and their community than popular cultural trends.

Although the race is tougher to run, those running the race are more deeply committed to finish well.

conclusionsSuccessful ministries delight themselves in God’s pleasure more than popularity.

What is the goal of our race?Luke 19:10 Matthew 28:19

John 10:10 Ephesians 4:16

To seek and save the lost

Life and life more abundantly

Make disciples and teach them

Supply, work, edify itself in love

What is the goal of our race?Luke 19:10 Matthew 28:19

John 10:10 Ephesians 4:16

Evangelism

Relationship

Teaching & Discipleship

Serving

THE RACE BEFORE USa loving churcha giving churcha teaching churcha worshipping churcha committed church