Tag: church-growth

What are the Assemblies of God churches doing that the Nazarenes aren’t doing?

On By Rob PrinceLeave a comment

According to the research of Ryan Burge, Professor of Practice at the Danforth Center for Religion and Politics at Washington University, there is only one denomination (of all the denominations in the USA) that is significantly larger than it was 30 years ago: The Assemblies of God (see the graph). Of course, the big question is: why them and not us?

The Assemblies of God is a global Pentecostal church which began in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The Church of the Nazarene began in 1908 in Pilot Point Texas. In fact, the original name of the Church of the Nazarene was the “Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene.” (The word “Pentecostal” was dropped in 1919 so as to not be confused with churches like the Assemblies of God that emphasized speaking in tongues and other manifestations of the Holy Spirit). While we differ on “the tongues issue,” we certainly would consider the Assemblies of God church a “sister” church. So why are they doing so well, when the until this year, the Church of the Nazarene in USA/Canada has been in a massive decadal decline?

One might pick an obvious answer and say, it is because of their emphasis on speaking in tongues. But is that it or is there something else going on? I’m sure there are several factors that have contributed to the denominational growth. I will suggest one. 

By virtue of their emphasis on the workings of the Holy Spirit, the Assemblies of God preach a gospel that is near. By that I mean experiential. They are in tune to the fact that Jesus is with us when we gather (with “two or more,” remember His words). In a world that is increasingly disconnected from one another, they preach a gospel of connectedness. This isn’t a tongues issue. It’s what our society is seeking. In an ever increasing lonely world, it’s a message that says, “God wants to connect with you.” 

It can be our message too. Again, I don’t think it is about unknown tongues. It is about meeting with Jesus. Seeking Jesus. Expecting Jesus to show up at our gatherings. It’s the presence of Jesus that makes for a compelling worship service. Not music, lights or preaching. It’s Jesus. 

The Assemblies of God figured that out long ago, and people are drawn to their story. That can be us. Jesus wants to meet with us. Do we plan, pray and prepare our hearts for an up close and personal encounter with Jesus. Maybe if we saw that happening more and more in our churches (starting with our pastors and church leaders), our growth trajectory would look more like the Assemblies of God rather than the stock graph line of Radio Shack (It’s not that bad my fellow Nazarenes). 

Our world needs Jesus. The Assemblies of God doesn’t have a corner on the market of Jesus. It’s a message we can and do preach. The more our people get in touch with Jesus, the greater our impact on culture and society will be. Our task is simple: Connect people to Jesus. 

Stop Counting Worship Attendance!

On By Rob Prince2 Comments

Worship Attendance numbers have caused more pastoral anxiety (and more false pride) than any other number listed on the Nazarene Annual Pastor’s Report (APR). Those numbers don’t reflect the what’s really happening or not happening within a church. Church growth (or lack of growth) does not necessarily reflect the health of a church. Too many good pastors have been defeated because a group got miffed at what the faithful pastor said or didn’t say and stormed off to the Baptists down the street. Attendance fell and so did the pastor’s confidence. Others were puffed up when the Baptist church in town split and half their crowd hopped over to the Nazarene church. There is a solution to this less-than-holy enticement. Stop counting. Stop asking how many were in church last Sunday. Just stop.

All those experiencing modest growth and the church growth prodigies in the crowd are having a heart attack: “We have to count people because people count.” Thank you Elmer Towns (Don’t know Elmer? Google him). No, we don’t have to count people. Who says? And we don’t have to focus on numerical realities because there is a book in the Bible called Numbers (I heard that lame argument back in the day too). Just stop counting.

In most cases, in USA/Canada anyway, the numbers are useless. Here are the facts:

Fact 1: Most churches are declining or have flatlined in USA/Canada. 
Fact 2: Most growth occurring is transfer growth (sheep changing pastures, not lost sheep coming home).
Fact 3: On-line attendance is the most inaccurate number of all.
Fact 4: Combining on-line and in-person attendance is a deceptively inaccurate grand total. It’s inclusion on the APR is for bragging rights only and no other reason.

All this to say, why count worship attendance numbers?

If anyone knew the fickleness of numbers, it was Jesus. He fed 5,000 on one occasion and 4,000 on another (someone was counting), but how many of those folks were there when he really needed them? A few women and the teenager John were the only friendly faces on Golgotha. Even after He was raised from the dead and lots of people saw Him, only 120 showed up for the prayer meeting until Pentecost. Not exactly earth shattering numbers (yeah, yeah, I know someone counted the 120 people and someone counted the 3,000 who were “added to their number” on Pentecost too. Blah, blah, blah…does it really matter what those numbers were?). 

Can’t we count the things that Jesus said were important (see the Great Commission if you need a lesson on what’s important). Count Baptisms. Count Disciples-in-training. Count those engaged in ministry. Like the nameless mathematician in the disciples’ circle (probably Matthew the tax collector), count the number of people fed. In other words, count community impact? Count those numbers, not how many butts are in seats or clicks made on Facebook live. 

The church growth movement (and it’s prioritizing noses and nickels) is in part to blame for the declining mess we are currently in. We were counting people, but didn’t care for them. We were counting nickels, but not nurturing neighbors. Let’s stop caring about who has more people in a pew and start caring more for the hurting people not in our pews. Let’s start calculating ways to show Jesus’ love to the “never attenders” and “down-in-outers,” instead of building brownie points with power brokers in a denominational office.   

Stop counting worship attendance and start serving!

Nazarene Worship Attendance In USA/Canada Grew In 2024 for the First Time in Nearly 20 years

On By Rob Prince1 Comment

Was 2023 the rock bottom year for the attendance for the Church of the Nazarene in USA/Canada? The worship attendance numbers for 2024 have not been released but the rumor is that for the first time in nearly 20 years, the USA/Canada region experienced worship attendance growth. It true, praise the Lord!

Following the massive attendance cliff following Covid, the church is starting to rebound. No doubt, this is happening in part because of the “cycle of resurgence” initiative started under regional director, Dr. Stan Reeder. The plan was bathed in prayer (always a good place to start). This year churches were to bless their community. Leading people to Jesus is next year’s focus. Finally it’s discipling people in the ways of Christ who will, in turn, bless their communities and the resurgent cycle begins. Some churches have stepped up their efforts to get into their communities and have already been leading people to Jesus and discipling them. Progress is happening. The church where I am privileged to pastor saw modest growth in 2024. Again, Praise the Lord!

“Butts in seats” (sorry for my crassness) is not synonymous with spiritual renewal. Taylor Swift can fill a stadium at 200 bucks a pop (or more), yet no one confuses the gathering with revival. Still, increased worship attendance is a sign of something (usually) good. When the Holy Spirit is moving in a church, it encourages those on the inside to invite outsiders so they too might experience what God is doing. In other words, the slight attendance growth should not be seen as the end (See: the 80s Church Growth Movement) but the beginning of a call to do the hard work of disciple-making.

“Counting people because people count” is not a compelling reason for filling a church. This isn’t Church Growth Movement 2.0. Jesus’ “church growth method” was not very effective. He went from 5,000+ at a free fish and bread event to John and a few women at Golgotha. Even after rising from the dead, there were only 120 in the meeting place on Pentecost. Not exactly, a booming, write-all-about-it, sign-a-book-contract evangelism explosion.

Jesus didn’t call us to fill a church. He called his followers to make disciples. That’s it. That’s the plan. Make disciples. Some will follow. Some will not. In fact, most will not (See Jesus statement on the “narrow road and only a few find it”). Even Jesus couldn’t convince some folks to follow Him (see Luke 9). Honestly, He didn’t seemed to obsessed about those who walked away. He didn’t chase after them. He didn’t beg them to reconsider. He simply invited someone else to follow. There’s always someone else who needs to hear the Good News. There is always someone else that is lonely and tired. Continuing to offer invitations and discipling the willing ones is the Jesus strategy. It seems to be working now too. 

Was 2023 the rock bottom year for attendance?  I hope so. If USA/Canada continues to repeat the cycle: bless our communities; tell folks about Jesus and make disciples, then continued growth could happen. Fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is the ticket out of the attendance basement.