Articles for tag: Megachurch Growth

January 1, 2022

The Invisible Renaissance

What Independent Christian Churches Have to Celebrate . . . and the Challenges Ahead We live in a world of polls describing a hopelessly post-Christian culture in which the church is constantly losing ground. A 2020 Gallup Poll found the number of Americans now affiliated with a church is just 47 percent, a sub-50 percent number for the first time in 80 years. Cary Nieuwhof shared a recent Barna/Stadia Poll that stated 30 percent fewer people in Generation Z (those born 1999 to 2015) attend church than baby boomers (those born 1946 to 1964). Another Barna study informed us that

August 17, 2020

Christian Standard

Church Life

2019 Annual Church Survey

This year we share not only average attendance numbers but also other vital stats such as the fastest-growing churches and top baptism ratios in each category. The churches in our survey saw many amazing kingdom accomplishments in 2019. For instance, one church had 4,371 baptisms, a record over the history of our surveys. Also, two churches, a new church and an emerging megachurch, grew by more than 100 percent in 2019! A total of 439 churches filled out our survey this year (another record number!). We thank every church for participating; better participation makes for more accurate data. We celebrate

December 12, 2017

Christian Standard

Christian Standard Updates News & Updates

Parting Thoughts for the End of the Year

By Kent E. Fillinger I want to share three statistical thoughts that challenged me, plus a final word of encouragement, as we conclude 2017 and prepare for another year of ministry. I hope these insights cause you to stop, reflect, and dig a little deeper as you continue to lead your church. The Golfer”s Delusion Imagine the recreational golfer eyeing the green. He may have laser-guided binoculars that tell him the exact distance to the flagstick. Or he may have a GPS that indicates the precise distance to the front, middle, and back of the green. Armed with all

January 4, 2013

Christian Standard

Church Leadership

Ages 50 to 75: The Minister”s Sweet Spot

By Brian Jones I believe pastors don”t hit their ministry “sweet spot” until they”re in their mid-50s. And if they stay engaged and growing, that sweet spot will last into their mid- to late-70s. Anyone who has ever led a church, or been led by a pastor in a church, knows this. Put another way, I believe a pastor”s personal ministry effectiveness, as defined both biblically and experientially, doesn”t reach its full potential until a pastor has grandkids and starts to get AARP letters in his mailbox. You can understand my great disappointment, then, when I read my friend Kent

April 19, 2011

Kent E. Fillinger

Church & Ministry Church Growth

The Church Size Matrix (Part 1)

Kent E. Fillinger introduces the Church Size Matrix, explaining how churches change in orientation, structure, leadership, staffing, and culture as they grow from small congregations to megachurches.

March 24, 2010

Brad Dupray

Church Leadership Eldership

Interview with Jerry Harris and Rodney Roberts

Jerry Harris and Rodney Roberts discuss how The Crossing’s pastor and elders pursue unity, shared vision, prayer, and trust while leading a fast-growing multisite church.

July 30, 2008

Brad Dupray

Restoration Movement History

Interview with Ken Idleman

Ken Idleman reflects on the Restoration Movement’s growth, doctrinal distinctives, church planting, evangelism, leadership development, and the challenges facing future generations of Christian leaders.