the Dying Church or Growing Church:: It's Your Choice: Why Churches Decline—and What Leaders Can Do About It

Why do some churches grow while others slowly disappear?Across the country, once-thriving churches are struggling. Pews that were once full now sit empty. Longtime members are aging. Younger generations are not coming. Too often, the mission of the Church is overshadowed by tradition, comfort, and fear of change.But decline is not inevitable. Churches can live again.In The Dying Church or the Growing Church: It's Your Choice, Ken Johnson draws on more than forty years of experience in and around churches and nearly 150 church visits through The Phantom Pew Sitter to offer a practical and hopeful look at why churches decline-and what leaders and members can do about it.You will discover how to recognize the warning signs of decline, turn an inward-focused congregation outward again, create a welcoming church for first-time guests, move people from attenders to active ministers, strengthen worship and leadership, reach the community you actually have, and work with other Christians rather than competing with them.This is not a book about criticizing struggling churches. It is about helping them live.Whether you are a pastor, church leader, board member, or church member, this book will challenge you to ask an important question: Will we choose comfort-or mission?The future of your church is a choice. Choose mission.