We are all aware of the fact that many people who consider themselves Christian and have a strong interest in experiencing God have either dropped out of church altogether or still attend church but it’s no longer the primary place where they experience God.

There are so many reasons for that. They’ve found other ways and places to worship, often because church is not meeting the needs for spiritual development the way their parents and others discovered. They often find their real needs are not met and their questions are not answered in a way that makes sense in the world they live in.

Over the years I’ve always assumed that attending a church – any evangelical church – was better than becoming unchurched. But it is a common conclusion that some – even many – churches do more harm than good.

Let’s assume for the sake of argument that these committed, unchurched Christians are correct and that they and their families are better off not attending church. Scripture is relatively clear that the church is God’s is designed and ordained to reach out and minister to a lost and dying world. Some say the church is the hope of the world. No matter what you think about what I’ve just said, God wants to use each of us to impact the world.

So, what do we do about churches that are not growing or even in decline? What will bring people who have abandoned the church back? Part of what gives me the drive, energy and focus for what I love to do is built around all those questions.