Church Woes

If 'church' is what happens when people encounter the Risen Jesus and commit themselves to sustaining and deepening that encounter in their encounter with each other, there is plenty of theological room for diversity of rhythm and style, so long as we have ways of identifying the same living Christ at the heart of every expression of Christian life in common. - Archbishop Rowan Williams

• The majority of new converts leave their church within 8 weeks of their commitment to Christ.
• Half of all churches did not add one new member through conversion in an entire year.
• Average church attendance in the U.S. has declined from 104 in 1992 to 90 today.
• On average, 8 churches a day close their doors.
• The average church reaches approximately 3 people for Christ each year.
• Mega-church membership populations in or near large Metropolitan areas are comprised of 98.5% of members from other, smaller churches. The number of mega-churches has more than doubled in the last 15 years while the above facts hold true. Thus the mega-church tends to be more of a concentration of believers rather than actual production of new ministry among a set demographic.

Taken from The Barna Group, 2007.