Abundant Life: March 2009

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Declining Church Growth?

An article in a prominent magazine among institutional churches of Christ bemoans the fact that for the first time since records began to be kept in 1980, churches of Christ in the United States are declining in membership (“Church in America Marked By Decline,” Bobby Ross, The Christian Chronicle, February 2009, online edition).

The statistics, from a directory published by 21st Century Christian, show a loss of 526 churches and 78,436 adherents (members + children) in the past six years. The survey counted 12,629 churches with 1,578,281 ad- herents in 2009. Those numbers represent the lowest totals since 1980, despite an in- crease in the American population of 36.3 percent. In the article, many reasons are given for the decline:

What Happens when the Maker is Forgotten?

It is happening all around us and the evidence of this reality can be observed in the attitudes and actions of people everywhere. Our Maker has been forgotten! This is not a new problem and we are not the first ones to observe this troublesome reality. Hosea announced long ago that Israel had “forgotten his Maker” (cf. Hosea. 8:14). This forgetfulness is not a temporary loss of memory. It is a way of life that turns away from God in rebel- lion. It is characterized by a “we don’t need God” mentality. Hosea spoke of how God had brought Israel from the land of Egypt and provided for them. Yet, Hosea said, “…when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me” (Hosea 13:6). What happens when people forget their Maker? The Book of Hosea supplies us with the answer.