Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Gary V Carter
Isaiah 62:6-7
I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will
never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give
yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes
Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
What I Want Today
I don’t want …
To discourage, defeat or bore you
To add to your work load
I do want …
To encourage you
To change the way you think
To give you simple things to do
To encourage you to accept responsibility
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
What I Want Today
Teach you what I have learned about the sweet
spots.
How did I learn?
Observation
Trial and error
Trial and success
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
• What is the single most important thing you can do to grow your church?
The Big Question
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
The Big Question
Does numerical growth matter?
Do you have a plan for growth?
How is that working for you?
If you do what you have always done you will get
what you always got!
If it’s working for you stay the course!
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
The Big Question
What have you tried? Better teaching/preaching?
Different/better music?
New programs?
Special events?
Aggressive evangelism?
Discipleship program?
Community service?
Church structure?
Church culture?
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
• Most churches are on a plateau or decline.
• Ministry leaders are grieved by that fact.
• It follows that leaders don’t know what to do to grow their church because, after all, they do care!
The Big Problem!
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
• What is the single most important thing you can do to grow your church?
The Big Question
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Your Four Questions
Is it simple enough?
Does it work?
Can we do this?
Can we afford this?
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
But first …
Church health and church growth are not
enemies.
Healthy churches grow.
Churches don’t just grow automatically unless
they are emptying other churches.
Churches do grow with natural and spiritual
processes that are not manipulative or driven.
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Gary V Carter
Lamentations 1:12
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?
Look around and see.
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Global
Christianity 2,200,000,000 33.9%
Islam 1,650,000,000 25.4%
Hinduism 1,000,000,000 15.4%
Buddhism 500,000,000 7.7%
Folk religions 500,000,000 7.7%
Chinese (Taoism, Confucianism etc.) 500,000,000 7.7%
Shinto 65,000,000 1.0%
Sikhism 28,000,000 0.4%
Judaism 18,000,000 0.3%
Jainism 12,000,000 0.2%
Bahá'í Faith 8,000,000 0.1%
Other 12,000,000 0.2%
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Canada
Total population 2001 29,639,035
Catholic 12,936,905 44%
Protestant 8,654,850 29%
Christian Orthodox 479,620 2%
Other Christian 780,450 3%
Muslim 579,640 2%
Jewish 329,995 1%
Buddhist 300,345 1%
Hindu 297,200 1%
Sikh 278,410 1%
Eastern religions 37,550 0%
Other religions 63,975 0%
No religious affiliation 4,900,090 17%
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Canada
Christians 24,424,341 72%
Evangelicals 2,601,683 7.7%
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
United States and Canada
US Southern Baptists for example… 92% reporting (39,000 churches)
50% report attendance less than 50
25% report attendance less than 25
70% of pastors are in their “small church” division – most are bi-vocational
USA = 28.9% Evangelical Canada = 7.7% Evangelical
P = Protestant I = Independent A = Anglican U = Unaffiliated C = Catholic M = Muslim U = Unaffiliated X = Other Christian M = Muslim N = None
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Canadian Church Attendance
Dropping ½% per year
Source: Stats Can
Blue: Extrapolated
1945 Actual = 60%
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
US Research 82% of unchurched are somewhat
likely to attend church if invited
63% would receive info from a relative
56% would receive info from a friend or
neighbour
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
US Research 4% of formerly churched are actively looking
6% of formerly churched would go back
35% would be inspired if they knew people like
them attend
70% have never been invited to church
2% invited someone in the last year
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Canada is a Nation of Believers % of Canadians agree
66%
64%
45%
44%
19%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Forgiveness
through Christ
Bible is Word of
God
Pray daily*
Committed life
to Christ
Attend Weekly
Source: Canadian Religious Beliefs and Practices, Ipsos-Reid Sept/Oct 2003, n=3000, except * God and other Mysteries, Ipsos-Reid June 2003, n=1000..
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
God is not an abstraction to Canadians
% of Canadians agree
82%
61%
53%
34%
29%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
God is understanding & forgiving
I have an intense personal
relationship with God
Felt in God's Presence
Close contact with holy, sacred
Experienced sudden insight or
awakening
*
Source: Canadian Religious Beliefs and Practices, Ipsos-Reid Sept/Oct 2003, n=3000, except * Canadians & God, 1996 n=1500.
*
*
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
There are increasingly polarized attitudes toward
Jesus Christ: The percent who claim forgiveness through
Christ is on the increase, as is the number of Canadians
who think Christ is not God
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
1993 1996 2003
Forgiveness thru Christ Jesus not God
Source: Canadian Religious Beliefs and Practices, Ipsos-Reid Sept/Oct 2003, n=3000, Ipsos-Reid June 2003, n=1000..
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Belief is up, while belonging is down: Canadians are
increasing likely to claim commitment to Christ, yet the
# of weekly attenders may be slowly declining
0%
20%
40%
1993 1996 2003
Committed Life to Christ Attend Weekly
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Most Canadians don’t think you need to belong in
order to believe
% of Canadians agree
81%
72%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Don't need to go
to church to be a
good Christian
Private beliefs
more important
than what is
taught by any
church
Source: Canadian Religious Beliefs and Practices, Ipsos-Reid Sept/Oct 2003, n=3000
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
% Agree "My private beliefs about Christianity are more important that what
is taught by any church"
72%
77%
71%
66%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Never Attend
Occasionally
Attend
Attend Monthly
Attend Weekly
Even regular attenders feel their private
beliefs trump church teaching
Source: Canadian Religious Beliefs and Practices, Ipsos-Reid Sept/Oct 2003, n=3000, Ipsos-Reid June 2003, n=1000..
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
% Agree "I have an intense personal relationship with God"
37%
67%
82%
95%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Never Attend
Occasionally
Attend
Attend Monthly
Attend Weekly
But many people who don’t attend have an intense
relationship with God
Source: Canadian Religious Beliefs and Practices, Ipsos-Reid Sept/Oct 2003, n=3000, Ipsos-Reid June 2003, n=1000..
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
% Agree
62%
59%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Religious
communities are a
force for good in
society
Religious leaders are
a force for good in
society
Religion is seen as a force for good by
a majority of Canadians
Source: Canadian Religious Beliefs and Practices, Ipsos-Reid Sept/Oct 2003, n=3000, Ipsos-Reid June 2003, n=1000..
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Priorities for the Church
We asked Canadians which of these nine
priorities they felt the Church in Canada should
put greater effort into. Supporting Canadian children living in poverty
Supporting children living in poverty in places like Africa
Helping to reduce pollution and preserve the environment in Canada
Helping to reduce racism in Canada
Helping to reduce homelessness in Canada
Caring for people with HIV and AIDs in Canada
Caring for people with HIV and AIDs in places like Africa
Protecting unborn children in Canada
Preventing the exploitation of children in pornography and the sex trade in Canada and the world
Source: Canadian Religious Beliefs and Practices, Ipsos-Reid Sept/Oct 2003, n=3000, Ipsos-Reid June 2003, n=1000..
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
All Canadians agree on what the
church should do
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Helping to reduce pollution and preserve the
environment in Canada
Caring for people with HIV and AIDs in places like
Africa
Caring for people with HIV and AIDs in Canada
Supporting children living in poverty in places like
Africa
Helping to reduce racism in Canada
Protecting unborn children in Canada
Helping to reduce homelessness in Canada
Supporting Canadian children living in poverty
Preventing exploitation of children in pornography
and the sex trade in Canada & the world
Weekly attenders All Canadians
Source: Canadian Religious Beliefs and Practices, Ipsos-Reid Sept/Oct 2003, n=3000, Ipsos-Reid June 2003, n=1000..
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Churchgoing Christians seem to perceive a bias
against themselves that does not exist
16%
39%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
All others
Weekly
Attenders
% Agree Strongly “I think that there is a general bias in Cdn society
against the viewpoints that are held by deeply committed Christians”.
Source: Canadian Religious Beliefs and Practices, Ipsos-Reid Sept/Oct 2003, n=3000, Ipsos-Reid June 2003, n=1000..
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Gary V Carter
John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I
have come that they may have life, and have it to
the full.”
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
3 Doors
Church
Believe
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
3 Doors
Church
Believe
Belong
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
3 Doors
Church
Believe
Belong
Behave
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
3 Doors
Church
Believe
Belong
Behave
What do they think they need
that the church can supply?
What do they actually need
that the church can supply?
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
3 Doors
Church
Believe
Belong
Behave
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Gary V Carter
John 1:46
“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”
Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Strathroy - Carodoc
Population 21,000
Households 8,200
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Religion
None + Other 6,000
Catholic 5,600
United Church 3,000
Other Christian 2,400
Anglican 1,500
Baptist 900
Presbyterian 800
Pentecostal 300
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Demographics
0-9 Years 12%
10-19 Years 15%
20-29 Years 11%
30-39 Years 13%
40-49 Years 16%
50-59 Years 13%
60-69 Years 9%
70 + Years 10%
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
One Out of Three Moved in
the Last Five Years
`
Gary V Carter ~~~ 905-601-2110 ~~~ [email protected] ~~~ www.SeeYouNextWeek.info
Did One or Two Visit
Your Church?
`