Thriving vs Declining

Bill Easum describes characteristics of Declining vs Thriving Churches in his book “Growing Spiritual Redwoods”

Declining: committed to the church

Thriving: committed to Christ

Declining: managing committees

Thriving: deploying missions

Declining: holding offices

Thriving: doing hands-on ministry

Declining: making decisions

Thriving: making disciples

Declining: trained for membership

Thriving: on a life quest for quality

Declining: serving at the church

Thriving: serving in the world

Declining: preoccupied with raising dollars

Thriving: preoccupied with souls

Declining: doing church work

Thriving: matching people with gifts

Declining: retiring from church work

Thriving: life-long personal growth

Declining: surveys internal needs

Thriving: Surveys community needs

Declining: eager to know everyone

Thriving: eager for everyone to Know God

Declining: loyal to each other

Thriving: drawn to the unchurched

So how are we doing at Lord of Life? In some areas I would say well. In other areas ok. And in other areas we have some room for improvement. But it certainly is a great barometer.