Churches Are Closing – How Healthy is Yours? How Can You Help?

A few years ago, I wrote a blog post about the number of churches closing their doors worldwide. I must say, I was appalled to see that many, especially in Europe, had been turned into bars and even skateboarding parks. Stop here and try to picture either of those things in your home church. Not pretty, is it?

The reasons for which those church doors are closing are many. Most websites cite aging congregations, secularization, and high maintenance costs. One place I found said that churches in Europe are closing faster than they are opening. The USA isn’t falling far behind.

GO ASK GOOGLE

I Googled and AI answered by stating that some researchers estimate that about 4,000 to 4,500 Protestant churches closed in the USA in 2019, while only 3,000 new ones opened. This same answer stated that the US is following the European trend, with projections indicating that within 30 years, the US church attendance situation could be as dire as Europe’s is currently. That sounds like a lot. It isn’t just Protestant churches closing, Catholics are having the same issue in certain areas. I speak about Protestant ones because that is what I know.

While all of this sounds horrific to those of us who’ve gone to church regularly all our lives, I had to stop and wonder if current events are calling people back to church. There’s been so much talk lately about End Times. It’s all over social media. I don’t watch news from any source, so I can’t speak to what they may have to say.

I asked good old Google, how does the average Christian help prevent church decline or closure?

Churhes Are Closing- How Healthy is Yours? How Can You Help? @DDuPreeWilliams #Church #KeepTheDoorsOpen Share on X

4 ANSWERS FROM GOOGLE

Adopt a “missionary mindset”

Strengthen Community Outreach

Foster Authentic Relationships over Programs

Atten Consistently to Support Community Vitality

Now those sound good on the surface. But as a mere church member how does one even go about doing this?

PERPLEXITY GOES DEEPER

Next, I went to Perplexity. The answer there was far longer and deeper than Google’s. I think first and foremost, one must begin with prayer. This was number two in Perplexity’s list. I had already thought that that is where the individual as well as the body of the church should begin. Prayer changes things.

The list offered by Perplexity is so long, you’d quit reading long before I put all their answers in here. Just know that prayer tops my list. Perplexity went into depth about prayer and suggested praying for your pastor/s and your church leaders. They even said—A church rarely grows stronger than the spiritual health of its people. When members drift, churches drift too. (attributed to Barna). Add praying for the body of the church too. We’re in this together.

They also suggested worship together regularly. Build a habit of Scripture and prayer. Invite people to join you for worship or a gathering. Support missions of all kinds. In other words, don’t just attend, but serve.

THE CHURCH WHERE WE WORSHIP

I’m happy to say, we are members of a large and thriving congregation. Last year, our pastor announced from the pulpit that we had 50+ babies 6 weeks and under in the nursery each week. Young families are joining almost weekly. It seems we have baptisms with regularity. One Sunday, we had 6 in the modern services and 6 in the traditional services. Our youth are active and they are having what some would call revival in their midst, according to one parent we know.

We also have several young men whom our congregation supports, who are in seminary. There is hope for the future, no matter what statistics may say. Besides, God is still Sovereign and we’ve read the Book. We know how it ends.

One last thing from Perplexity. They cited premierchristianity as their source. Many churches die not from lack of faith, but from refusal to change methods while holding onto the same gospel. To that end, they say—Distinguish between unchanging essentials (the gospel, core doctrine, Scriptural authority) and flexible forms (music style, service times, programs, décor).

HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR CHURCH?

Y’all know I had three fingers pointing at me at that last little bit, don’t you? Especially when it comes to music. But let me ask, how healthy is your church? Could it survive if trouble comes knocking? I’m sure the people who’d walked past those old Cathedrals in Europe never thought they’d see the day those doors would close.

Blessings, y’all!

I love this one. I’ve been blessed to sing it many, many times. Love Sandi!  This is a very old video, but it’s still good. I pray it blesses you!