Editorial: How Churches of Christ can grow again

Are we still planting seeds?

Jesus instructed us to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). And we know that God gives the increase — not us (1 Corinthians 3:7).

But we’re not seeing a lot of increase these days. In the past two decades, the number of us who worship with Churches of Christ has dipped by more than 230,000. And that’s based primarily on pre-COVID-19 estimates. The actual figure could be worse.

What’s the problem? We know we aren’t ashamed of our faith (Matthew 10:32-33). Certainly, we share our savior’s passion to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).

In the past two decades, the number of us who worship with Churches of Christ has dipped by more than 230,000. And that’s based primarily on pre-COVID-19 estimates. The actual figure could be worse.

We’re sharing a lot, actually, but it’s mostly on social media. On The Christian Chronicle’s Facebook page, we post stories that draw a lot of reader feedback and spark debates. (Sometimes the folks who comment even read the stories we’re promoting. We wish that happened more often!) 

We recently asked for tips for evangelism from our readers. Unfortunately, this post produced only a handful of responses. To be honest, the engagement level was a giant thud.

We know we live in a challenging time in which organized religion in the U.S. is struggling. Churches of Christ are far from alone in that respect. But we serve a mighty God who “rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

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Related: Can America be saved? Yes, say these Christians

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Rob Whitacre directs the House to House/Heart to Heart Evangelism School, which partnered with Latin American Missions to sponsor the recent Georgia campaign featured on Page 1. Whitacre, 46, told us he prays that Churches of Christ will grow again in his lifetime.

Amen, we respond.

Whitacre’s approach might not mesh with everyone. Given our nation’s overall religious decline, some might advocate focusing more on teaching people with no religious affiliation than trying to convert other believers — Baptists, Methodists, Catholics — to Churches of Christ.

But here’s what we love about Whitacre and the faithful Christians who converged to knock doors in the small town of Rome, Ga.: They refuse to give up. They still believe that the Gospel is “the power of God that brings salvation” (Romans 1:16).

What will it take for Churches of Christ to grow again? We don’t claim to have all the answers.

But here are a few thoughts (with credit to Whitacre for some ideas):

• We must stop being so inwardly focused. Our churches shouldn’t be more intent on keeping longtime members comfortable than on welcoming lost sheep (of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds).

It’s sad how often guests show up at church services and are greeted by no one because members are too busy talking to each other.

We must love and talk to the people we hope to save. We must meet our neighbors and share a love that will make them want to know God.

We must love and talk to the people we hope to save. We must meet our neighbors and share a love that will make them want to know God.

• We must stop making politics an idol. As Whitacre put it in an interview with the Chronicle, “I’ve seen members in Churches of Christ almost come to physical conflict over political discussion. I wish they’d get as riled up over souls.”

He was not speaking about any particular side of the political aisle.

Idols are a problem on the right and the left.

• We must open our Bibles. Most of us believe that the Scriptures are inspired and “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

So why do so many of us — in a time when we can quickly access multiple translations on our smartphones — neglect to open God’s holy word, except maybe on Sunday?

If God speaks to us through the Scriptures, we need to make listening to him a daily priority.

These ideas are just a start. We welcome your feedback. — Bobby Ross Jr. and Erik Tryggestad, for the Editorial Board

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