Church Renewal (Renewing Communities)
The Challenge
Most mainline protestant denominations in North America are facing membership decline and church closures. In the period 1980 to 2004, Canada's largest denomination, the United Church of Canada, has experienced an annual compound annual rate of decline of 1.36% in households under pastoral care, representing a loss of almost 200,000 households. People are not leaving the denomination to join another, they are leaving "church." The challenge posed by this exodus from the church is the forced closure of numerous churches, as well as the struggle to maintain vibrant churches in many communities. Many leaders in these churches would like to see church growth rather than decline, but answers seem evasive!
In addition to the challenge of "being the church" is a post-Christian society, there is the element of "stress" in the church that makes it difficult for many clergy to operate at their best. The winter 1996 issue of Leadership, a national survey of Protestant clergy that revealed twenty-three percent of ministers report they have been fired at least once, and forty-three percent said that a faction (usually fewer than ten persons) forced them to resign.
The decline the number of families being served by churches, as well as the closure of churches does not tell the whole story. There are numerous churches in all denominations that are vibrant, life giving, and authentic to the gospel. We serve churches in all phases of their formation and spiritual growth.
How can we help?
Spirit Renewal Ministries serves churches in all phases of their formation and spiritual growth.
Church Decline |
Church Growth |
Clergy and Church Leaders |
|---|---|---|
We work with churches and religious organizations and their leaders to move from a place of decline, stagnation, complacency, and despair, to a new place of hope, excitement, and growth. |
We support churches in a growth mode when extra resources are needed to supplement ministry needs in time of growth and change. |
We work with leaders, elders, ministers, and congregations in Christian churches and organizations. Our ministry is one of encouragement, empowerment, and reconciliation. |
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