12 Markers of Churches on the Downslope

By Chuck Lawless

Church growth writers talk about the bell-shaped curve that characterizes the growth of many churches. The left side of the bell curve is exciting (vision, outreach, growth, etc.), but the right side is challenging (nostalgia, decline, division, etc.).

Based on my years of church consulting, here are some markers of churches on the downslope. Every church should be aware of these markers, just in case they’re unknowingly moving in the wrong direction. 

1. A visionless leader – Often, the primary leader in the church – the pastor – has lost vision for the future.
2. Unspoken conflict – The conflict may not have yet risen to a raging fire, but the embers of division are beginning to flame quietly.
3. A “back door” problem – People are leaving the church more rapidly than they’re joining. Sometimes, the difference between the two is stark.
4. Few converts – Congregations in this state seldom do much evangelism. 
5. Non-returning guests – It’s not that first-time guests aren’t coming to the church; it’s that they never come back after the first time.
6. Stagnant, if not declining, finances – Long-term members may be keeping the financial ship afloat, but nothing suggests coming growth in giving.
7. Fractured leadership – Ongoing conflict among staff or lay leaders is not uncommon in churches going in the wrong direction.
8. Decreasing funds for ministry – This problem is often the result of maintaining a larger-church staff as the church itself gets smaller. Salaries…