Source: Myths and Facts about Evangelism and Church Growth, U.S. Congregations

1
Myths and Facts about Evangelism and Church
Growth
2
Myth

• Only congregations in growing areas are adding
  members

3
Fact

• Three strengths are positive predictors of growth
  
• Caring for Children and Youth,
• Welcoming New People, and
• Participating in the Congregation.

4
Fact

• Factors that don't predict growth
• denomination or faith group,
• congregational size,
• income levels of worshipers,
• average age of worshipers, and
• population growth around the church.

5
Myth

• Only new or recently established congregations
  are growing

6
Fact

• Less than half of fast-growing Presbyterian
  churches were established after 1960. Most are
  older.

7
Myth

• Only large churches grow

8
FACT

• 39 of fast-growing Presbyterian churches have
  fewer than 200 in worship. Small congregations
  grow, too!

9
Myth

• Most people have been attending their
  congregation for years and years

10
FACT

• One-third of worshipers are new in the last five
  years in fast-growing churches one-half are new.
  

11
Myth

• Most new people are new to the faith

12
FACT

• Most new people attending their congregation for
  five years or less have changed congregations
  within the same denomination (transfers 57).

13
FACT

• Only 7 are first-timers who are new to the
  faith.

14
FACT

• A few (18) are returnees who used to attend
  worship but recently have not been involved, and
  18 are switchers who changed denominations.

15
Myth

• Denomination is irrelevant to church seekers

16
FACT

• Most new people (73) say denomination is
  important in their search.

17
FACT

• Denomination is less important to mainline
  Protestants (59) and those under the age of 25
  (48).

18
Myth

• New people usually learn about the congregation
  from advertising

19
FACT

• Many new people (47) visit for the first time
  because someone invited them only 6 came for
  the first time due to advertising.

20
FACT

• Most new people visit between 1 and 3
  congregations before choosing their new home.

21
FACT

• Advertising helps raise awareness of the
  congregation and can make current members feel
  proud of their congregation.

22
Myth

• New people usually come back after the first time
  because of the coffee hour

23
FACT

• People return because of
• quality of the sermon (36),
• friendliness of the people (32),
• overall worship experience (30).

24
FACT

• Too many new people (38) report no follow-up
  from the congregation after their first visit.

25
FACT

• In Catholic parishes, 53 of new people report no
  follow-up.

26
Myth

• Growing congregations rely exclusively on church
  signs and big advertising campaigns

27
FACT

• Growing congregations use multiple methods to
  attract new people.

28
FACT

• Growing congregations are more likely to
• hold events to meet new people or to add members,
  
• advertise in the newspaper or telephone book,
• use email,
• have a church Web site, and s
• end materials to or telephone first-time
  visitors.

29
Myth

• All congregations do the same things to integrate
  new worshipers

30
FACT

• Growing congregations use multiple methods to
  integrate new worshipers.

31
FACT

• Growing congregations are more likely to have a
  specific group for newcomers and to invite such
  people to take part in small groups or service
  opportunities.

32
Myth

• New member integration methods are successful

33
FACT

• New people are less involved in their
  congregations than those who have been there for
  longer.

34
Myth

• Worship services in growing churches offer only
  contemporary music

35
FACT

• Almost all worship services in growing
  Presbyterian churches (89) include traditional
  hymns.

36
FACT

• Services in growing congregations are more likely
  to include contemporary music and laughter