June 22, 2026
2025 Fast Facts
The 2025 Fast Facts compile worship attendance, year-over-year growth, baptisms, baptism ratios, giving-per-baptism, and key leadership benchmarks across church sizes.
Church Growth
Church Growth explores how congregations can grow in healthy, gospel-centered ways—both spiritually and numerically. Find practical, Bible-based articles on outreach, evangelism, discipleship pathways, assimilation, small groups, leadership development, and building a strong church culture. You’ll also discover guidance on strengthening ministries, improving communication, engaging your community, and measuring progress with wisdom and humility. Whether you’re leading a church, serving on a ministry team, or helping a congregation move forward, these resources aim to support sustainable growth that honors Christ and forms disciples.
June 1, 2026
No Matter Where You Serve the Lord, You Are Part of Something Really Big!
Ministry impact isn’t measured by numbers or applause. Wherever you serve, you’re part of God’s vast kingdom—spanning generations, cultures, and eternity—where the Lord honors faithful service.
May 27, 2026
Vital Signs: 2025 Annual Statistical Report pt. 1
Survey participation rebounded in 2025, providing stronger data on baptisms, worship attendance, and online viewing trends. The report also notes shifting in-person patterns and the aging profile of lead ministers, alongside encouraging signs of training pipelines.
May 20, 2026
Are People Going Back to Church?
Are people going back to church? From campus revivals to rising Bible engagement, Seth Bryant highlights research trends and offers practical steps churches can take to prepare for first-time and returning guests.
May 4, 2026
Think Relevant
What does it mean for a church to be “relevant”? Jerry Harris argues every church reaches a target—and effectiveness grows when you identify your community’s sweet spot and adapt methods without changing core teaching.
May 2, 2026
Is America Going Back to Church?
Are we seeing a religious “vibe shift” in America? Survey data, Bible-reading trends, and stories from Restoration Movement churches point to new openness—especially among younger adults.
March 13, 2026
Thinking Downward
Jerry Harris explains why “becoming all things to all people” is often misapplied and how churches can stay outwardly focused. He introduces “the dot,” a philosophy of downward focus that helps shape relevance for reaching the 80 percent outside.
Think Outward
Every church will tell you they have an outward focus because they know that's Jesus' Great Commission, but the truth is that many are not.
Small Churches, Great Impact
Smaller churches are everywhere, from densely populated urban areas to the suburbs, to tiny communities at rural crossroads. With smaller churches distributed so widely across the country, they are positioned for greater influence than their size might suggest.
October 1, 2024
Three Young Ladies Who Left the Church: An Uber Story
An Uber driver's story of three young ladies who shared the reasons for why they left the church.
April 30, 2024
Historic Canton, Ohio, Church to Open New Campus
After two years of strong growth, First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio, is expanding. The historic church—once led by P. H. Welshimer—hopes to open its first campus location this fall. The church in November spent $2.1 million on a 33,000-square-foot building on 5 acres on the southwest side of Canton. . . .
March 18, 2024
How to Tell Your Church Is ‘Tanking’—and What to Do
How do elders or pastors know their churches are sliding toward closure? Christian Standard posed that question to Stan Granberg, vice chairman of Heritage 21, which specializes in helping noninstrumental Churches of Christ that are facing closure. . . .
October 4, 2023
RiverTree Opens Eighth Regional Campus (Plus News Briefs)
RiverTree Christian Church in Northeastern Ohio formally opened its eighth regional campus on Sunday. The new campus is in Canton, Ohio. . . . Plus briefs from Point University, Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan, Exponential, and more. . . .
July 19, 2023
TREND WATCH: Are Churches Moving Toward Officeless Buildings?
Fern Creek Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., plans to repurpose 100 percent of their office space to ministry space for children. We contacted more than a dozen ministers and church construction experts to ask about their thoughts on "going officeless." . . .
July 1, 2023
Faith Factors
By Kent E. Fillinger The number of unaffiliated, nondenominational Christian churches in the United States grew by almost 5,000 congregations and nearly 9 million people from 2010 to 2020, thus making it America’s largest Protestant “denomination,” according to the U.S. Religion Census. In 2010, unaffiliated, nondenominational Christian churches had an estimated 12,241,329 adherents in 35,496 congregations, which represented 4 percent of the overall population. By 2020, the number of people worshipping in those churches grew to 21,095,641, and their share of America’s religious population increased to 13.1 percent, representing 6.4 percent of the nation’s population. How Many Churches Do We
June 13, 2023
SPOTLIGHT: Fast-Growing Ohio Church Merges with Neighbor
The past year-plus has been eventful for First Church of Christ in Fairborn, Ohio—the fastest-growing “very small” church in Christian Standard’s 2022 Church Report. . . . The changes include merging, moving, and adopting a new name: New Beginnings Christian Church. . . .
June 6, 2023
SPOTLIGHT: SouthBrook Christian Church Grows Through Teaching, Service
Charlie McMahan says SouthBrook Christian Church in Miamisburg, Ohio, took a major step forward last year in its recovery from COVID-19—an event that he compares to the 9/11 terrorist attacks . . . but which had an opposite effect on the church in this country. . . .
May 31, 2023
SPOTLIGHT: Ocala Christian Church’s New Building, Baptistery Paying Dividends
A baptistery can make a world of difference. Ocala Christian Church discovered this during 2022 when the small church in central Florida baptized 31 people. That translated into a 27.9 percent baptism ratio (baptisms per 100 in average attendance). . . .
May 16, 2023
SPOTLIGHT: Nebraska Church Enjoys Strong Recovery from COVID
Sometimes, a story of growth is a story of recovery. Such is the case at First Christian Church in Norfolk, Neb.—which had one of the highest growth rates in Christian Standard’s 2022 Church Report, published in the current print magazine. . . .
SPOTLIGHT: ‘Pretty Feisty’ River Christian Church Embraces Big Growth
River Christian Church has seen God work in some interesting places—including the three years they met at a local funeral home and cemetery. The church also has seen God work at some interesting times—like during the COVID-19 pandemic when they have grown weekend attendance from 950 to nearly 1,500. . . .
