1. Why Do We Assess?
The Importance of Knowing ‘What Is’!

2. The Biblical Precedent for Assessment
The Letters to the 7 churches in Revelation
The Epistles
Someone from the Outside comes in.
They exam what is.
From an understanding of what needs to be they give instruction or “prescriptions”
The Tale of Five Churches

3. Christianity in the World

4. Christianity in the World
The largest faith group in the world is Christianity
Of the 7 billion people in the world 32% would identify themselves as Christian.
Perhaps not as you or I define Christian.
in 1850 Budhism was the #1 religion

5. Christianity in the World
Christianity is the fastest growing faith in the world.
Five hot spots for the gospel in the world today:
China
India
Indonesia
Brazil
Nigeria
Latin America and China are believed to be experiencing 30,000 converts daily each

6. Christianity in the World
Three main places where the church is losing ground are the three places significantly impacted by the Reformation
Europe
North America
Australia/New Zealand
Source: World Christian Database

7. Christianity in America

8. Christianity in America
Less than 20% of Americans attend religious services every week. Evangelical participation is less than 8% to 10%. ( to-go-to_b_ html)
Churches lose an estimated 2,765,000 people each year to nominalism and secularism. (from the Barna Study --
In America, 3500 — 4000 churches close their doors each year. (from the Barna Study --
The increase in churches by church planting is only 1/4 of what’s needed to keep up with population growth.

9. Christianity in America
Growing churches make up only about 6% of all U.S. churches today. The rest (94%) have reached a plateau or are declining.
The Median size (50% above/50% below) of the church in America is The Average size of the church in America is
Established churches — 40 to 190 years old — are, on average, declining.
In 2050, the percentage of the U.S. population attending church will be almost half of what it was in

10. A Brief History of Conservative Baptist

11. LIFE CYCLE of an ORGANIZATION
MATURITY
Multiplying Maintaining
Decline Phase →
Outward Focus
Proactive
Mission-Driven
Future-oriented
Innovative
Risk-Taking
Organic
Adaptable
Energetic
Acquisition
Discovery
Inward Focus
Reactive
Preference-Driven
Past-oriented
Standardized
Risk-Averse
Institutional
Rigid
Lethargic
Preservation
Protection / Fear
GROWTH
INSTITUTIONAL
Growth Phase →
Descent to
Death
BIRTH
ORGANIC
ORGANIZATIONAL

12. VISION & Mission Clarity Missional RELATIONSHIPS INVOLVEMENT of People
MATURITY
Multiplying Maintaining
Decline
VISION & Mission Clarity
Missional RELATIONSHIPS
INVOLVEMENT of People
STRUCTURE, Organization and Programs
Attitude Toward CHANGE
MORALE, Self-esteem and Confidence
Phase →
INSTITUTIONAL
GROWTH
Growth Phase →
Descent to
Death
BIRTH
ORGANIC
ORGANIZATIONAL

13. LIFE CYCLE of an ORGANIZATION
“When you give birth to an organization, you birth it with both the seeds of its possible success and the seeds of its potential demise.
It is a reality that can’t be avoided.”
Howard Hendricks as spoken to Walk Through the Bible as told by Bert Downs

14. A Brief History of Conservative Baptist
Birthed as a mission impulse expressed in a mission society.
Launched out of reaction to:
perceived theological error.
denominational structure.
authoritarian leadership.

15. A Brief History of Conservative Baptist
The association of churches (CBA of America) started as an organizational after-thought.
Embraced significant variations in church approaches, structures, polity and even theology.
Held together by “denominational memory (delusion)” over the generations.

16. A Brief History of Conservative Baptist
The seeds for potential success were:
Missional Commitment
Theological Conservatism

17. A Brief History of Conservative Baptist
The seeds for potential demise were:
a negative response to authority.
fiercely held congregational independence.
Our dominant feature has become autonomy.

18. The Tale of 5 Churches

19. Multiplying Maintaining 90% of the churches we assess
MATURITY
Where is your CHURCH?
Where is your REGION?
Multiplying Maintaining
Decline
90% of the churches we assess
Phase →
Outward Focus
Proactive
Mission-Driven
Future-oriented
Innovative
Risk-Taking
Organic
Adaptable
Energetic
Acquisition
Discovery
Inward Focus
Reactive
Preference-Driven
Past-oriented
Standardized
Risk-Averse
Institutional
Rigid
Lethargic
Preservation
Protection / Fear
INSTITUTIONAL
GROWTH
Growth Phase →
Descent to
Death
BIRTH
ORGANIC
ORGANIZATIONAL