Worship As We Have Known It.

[Rascal]

There was an article in The Chattanooga Free-Press last week reporting on the Southern Baptist Annual Convention. They reported a study that was done in their organization that shows a trend of church closings. Most churches do have older members and as these members die off, there are not enough younger members present to sustain the church. As a result, many are closing. I think this is true across denominational lines and is true of COG, and COGOP as well. I know in the Chattanooga area, this has happened over the last few years. The question is, are young people just not interested in worshiping in traditional church buildings? Are we now turning to the internet ie Facebook for fellowship and assembling ourselves together? Or are we/they just not interested in church? Is this happening in your area? Why is this happening?

[dolfan]

Wow, what a great question (not in relation to COGOP churches, but all churches in America).

Personally.....and this is my blabbity-blab only ..... I don't think people who have any interest in fellowship are seeking or finding it chiefly online. They connect online, but I hope they are not doing it primarily online. In the same manner in which "gathering" meant physical, actual closeness in meeting in the NT, the most NT kind of koinonia happens in person still. Am I wrong in thinking so? Am I wrong in thinking that people with real interest in actual fellowship will find it and find the best of it in personal connections as opposed to online connections? For example, I know that more churches stream or video-post their services, but is there a swell of reported conversions or increased discipleship from that among people not attending a local church also?? I would truly be surprised --- and concerned --- to learn if that is true.

What I hope is happening, instead, is that people are meeting together outside of traditional church settings for real NT type of fellowship, although I am at least as doubtful of that happening right now in America as I am doubtful that people are turning away from church attendance and to the internet for their "church experience". What I long to see --- and have for a very, very long time now --- is the kind of meeting that we see and hear of in Asia and Africa. Of course, the backdrop to that is persecution, something which, in America, we seem to be unconcerned with since we have largely surrendered life-losing faith to the culture of government (which culture encourages values I used to hold such as "God AND country", among other things).

[PastorDaniel]

I would be interested in knowing if these trends are true outside of denominational walls. I know that many new churches are organizing independently of denomination and are definitly more non-traditional. Our new church meets in a Coffee House every week and is predominenty younger people.

The problem with older congregations is the generational gap. Denominational leaders have recognized this for a while...but don't seem to know how to change things. The money is still in the older generations pockets...therefore they tend to have the control. Many times they refuse any change. I've pastored two existing older congregations and don't think I'd ever go back.

Somehow there has to be a re-connect to where the older generation wants to mentor the younger and is willing to compromise...and the younger generation needs to be willing to be mentored and compromise...otherwise...older congregations will continue to die off and new churches will continue to struggle at the lack of funding...the newer churches will alos suffer at the lack of wisdom and experience that should be passed on from elder church members...

[Billy n NC]

If you Always Do What You Always Did...
You will Always Get What You Always GOT!!!

This Subject was discussed recently after our monthly board meeting this month. One of our Deacons is heavily involved in the Gideon Ministry. He visits 1 or 2 churches a month on behalf of the Gideons. He mentioned how time after time he visits (traditional denoms) churches and the audience is 90 to 95 percent old members.

For a Church to Grow . IT MUST invest in Children and Youth.

I heard/read a while back that there church would take the Seniors on a trip and foot the bill.. Hotel, gas etc. But the youth group wanted to go to a youth conference and was told to start having fund raisers. UMMMM

I do not see Facebook replacing local Church but it can and should be a tool of the church.

[dawgs10]

I would be interested in knowing if these trends are true outside of denominational walls. I know that many new churches are organizing independently of denomination and are definitly more non-traditional. Our new church meets in a Coffee House every week and is predominenty younger people.

The problem with older congregations is the generational gap. Denominational leaders have recognized this for a while...but don't seem to know how to change things. The money is still in the older generations pockets...therefore they tend to have the control. Many times they refuse any change. I've pastored two existing older congregations and don't think I'd ever go back.

Somehow there has to be a re-connect to where the older generation wants to mentor the younger and is willing to compromise...and the younger generation needs to be willing to be mentored and compromise...otherwise...older congregations will continue to die off and new churches will continue to struggle at the lack of funding...the newer churches will alos suffer at the lack of wisdom and experience that should be passed on from elder church members...

Central Community Church is a perfect example of what happens when this takes place. growth is young adults and couples and the money is also in place because of working together.