living the passion (swanwick conference): from decline to growth
DESCRIPTION
The second address John Allan gave at the Swanwick-based conference "Living the Passion" (Sept 26-28 2008) was "From Decline to Growth" and looked at the story of Nehemiah, in particular the lessons about growth and decline illustrated by the storyTRANSCRIPT
Turning Turning declinedecline
into growthinto growth
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Then the Church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria
enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged
by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of
the Lord.
Then the Church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria
enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged
by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of
the Lord.
Then the Church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria
enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged
by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of
the Lord.
Then the Church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria
enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged
by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of
the Lord.
Then the Church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria
enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged
by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of
the Lord.
58% claim to be ChristianDe-churched outnumber attenders by
2:1
So far nothing the Church leaders have done seems to have brought about any change in
the decline that started in the 50's.
If trends continue, membership will decline by 50% between 1990 and 2020.
The UK has the 4th worst church attendance record in Europe.
"While 1,000 new people are joining a church each week, 2,500 are leaving.“
Jonathan Petre, Daily Telegraph
There will be 2,660,000 active Muslims in BritainChurchgoing in England will fall from about 3 million today to about 700,000. In Wales it will tumble from 200,000 to 42,000 and in Scotland, from 550,000 to 140,000.
By 2050...
“We will look at these findings very closely. Britain is a secular democracy with a strong Christian tradition but many faiths have a home in Britain.”
THE STORY OF THE JERUSALEM CHURCH IN ACTS
Acts 23000 added
Acts 45000 males
Acts 6Rapid increase
including priests
Acts 5Many more men and women
“In great trouble and disgrace”
disunit
edlead
erl
ess
threate
neddiscreditedirrelevantoutdated
vulnerabledefeatedcompromised
It tests...
numbers swell
vision spreads leaders emerge
evil withers worship ignites
“The joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off”