10 reasons why it’s harder for the church today

Jim Farrer Aug. 11, 2023

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Here are 10 reasons why things are a bit harder for the church today:

1. Lyle Schaller, author of 55 books on church vitality, wrote, "Perhaps the most difficult assignment, for either a minister or a volunteer in the church, is to design and implement a strategy that will move the long-established congregation up off a plateau in size" (44 Steps Up Off the Plateau, p. 12).

2. About four out of five long-established Protestant congregations in the US find themselves on a plateau. This means the membership remains about the same or is in a slow decline. Some congregations are growing by swapping members, but experts say only one to three percent of all congregations are growing by conversions.

3. For at least 50 years, leaders across denominational lines have reported that 93+ percent of a typical church's work is directed toward maintaining itself, not in reaching outward.

4. More than 80 percent of almost any denomination's growth is coming in congregations planted within the last 15 years.

5. According to research in Ron Crandall's Turnaround and Beyond, most current members prefer a pastor who will "take care of me and listen to and try to meet my needs when I call" over a pastor who is involved with new prospects and new projects/programs designed to meet the needs of ten to 100 people who may be potential members.

6. The context has changed. Society has moved from supporting the church, to being neutral, and now to being somewhat hostile. Princeton University Professor of Jurisprudence Robert P. George notes that the media label most Christians as out-of-date, insensitive, not compassionate, bigoted, hateful and on the "wrong side of history." George concludes that the costs of discipleship amidst secular culture may be painful to bear.

7. United Methodist Professor George Hunter says that the younger generations are not so much agnostics as they are "ignostics." They increasingly have little background in the Bible and in church life. For them visiting a church is a strange and awkward experience.

8. Younger generations seek activities that seem adventurous to them. This extends to choices of worldview and spirituality. Compared to astrology and kundalini yoga, most churches are considered dull and boring.

9. Churches that desire to reach secular people often have little experience with those whose lives seem "out of control." Hanging out with or attempting to help those with addictions, a history of abuse or being down on their luck takes time, energy, expertise, patience and prayer.

10. There is more competition. In former times the local preacher competed mostly with the previous pastors of that congregation. Today the competition is with every TV personality who may even be reading the teleprompter. Similarly local church musicians are measured by professional musicians in the media.

While today things are often harder for congregations, there is still much help and hope available.

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Jim Farrer is the founder of Vital Signs Church Consulting and a member of the Society for Church Consulting. A broadly-trained church consultant, Jim is also a veteran of ministry positions in Canada and the U.S., he has trained leaders from 18 denominations and led seminars and coaching sessions nationwide. His articles have been published in the Journal of Evangelism and Missions and the Great Commission Research Journal. You can reach him by e-mailing revup1@yahoo.com or calling 814 629-5211. Learn More »

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