Thursday, June 11, 2009

Is The Church In America In Trouble?

- In America, 4000 churches close their doors each year.
- The vast majority of churches have an attendance of less then 75.
- The number of people in America that Do Not attend church has doubled in the past 15 years.
- Half of all churches last year did not add one new member through conversion growth.
- Only 15% of churches in the United States are growing and just 2.2% of those are growing by conversion growth.
- 1 out of 4 church attendees are considered church hoppers.
- No more then 38% of the population attends church at all and that’s in the Bible belt. The next highest is the Midwest at 25%, West 21% and the Northeast 17%.
- Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
- Just 1/3 of church attendees believes that they have a personal responsibility to share their faith with others.
- One in four serve in the church they attend.
- 23% of church attendees say they attend a group for growth and accountability.
- 9% tithe.
- 20-25% read their Bible consistently, 59% attend church weekly.
- Only 60% of Christians say they are deeply committed to their faith.

Murray Family Suffering From Cancer

Bishop Billy Murray. former General Overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy, died a few years ago with Lymphoma.

Now, his son DeWayne Murray has been diagnosed with the same cancer type.

Also, Bishop Murray's wife is currently suffering from breast cancer and is undergoing radiation treatments.

Daughter Susan Duncan has also had a few scares with cancer issues.

This is a precious family of faith, highly respected in Pentecostal circles. Please be in prayer for all of them.