That last statistic that game from the Barna Group told us that on average 3500-4500 churches are closing their doors each year.  We are on the forefront of becoming a post Christian country and I fear that our churches are oblivious to our own death.  Although there are many signs of a dying church I have come up with three that I want to discuss.

1.  Saving the Saved (No Conversions)-this sounds very simple but it is crucial to church growth.  If your church is not adding lives to the Kingdom of God and teaching them to drill down deep in their spiritual life then we are failing God.  Sometimes we settle for complacency when we need to be striving for excellence.  For example, some churches are just fine with the people who show up on a regular basis and they do not want to reach out to new people when clearly Jesus gave us the commandment to go into all the world.

2.  Little excitement for outreach or mission to reach the unreached-it is so easy to be inwardly focused when it is clear in scripture that our focus should be on those who are need and those who need everlasting life only found on the Cross of Jesus and yet we find churches who have no zeal for the hurting, impoverished or people who just need hope in Christ.

3.  Lack of fully devoted disciples of Christ (not the denomination)-the whole point of the church is to train up disciples for Christ and yet we fail to produce thriving warrior for the cause of the Gospel.  When we fail as a church to move people through the process of growing as a disciple then we are dying or are already dead.

These are just a few signs that a church is either at a plateau or declining, like the Laodicean church in the Book of Revelation. To them, Jesus said:

“I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot — far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless. (Revelation 3:15-17 MSG)

The solution to such problems? Jesus replies:

“Be diligent and turn from your indifference. Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.” (Revelation 3:19-20 NLT)

I did not write this post just to be negative, I did however write this to be a warning to those who are in church leadership.  Do not become comfortable in your position.  Seek to evangelize.  Create a passion for missions.  Disciple your people.

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