Over the past year, Covid lockdowns have threatened our comfort, our health, our work and our economy – but they have also threatened the growth of our local churches.
In a conversation with Neil Johnson, Tyler Dipprey, executive pastor at Experience Life Church in Texas and trainer through the John Maxwell Team, shared his perspective on an, ‘Evangelical Recession.’
“The amount of Christians, specifically here in the US, is actually a smaller number than you may think,” Dipprey shared. “…The reason I would point to saying there is a recession coming is that in every church right now, and this was true pre-Covid…is that you’re seeing a reduction in giving.”
With the cost-per-baptism in the US being $1.5 million, the reduction in giving poses major concerns for the future of churches. “Most of the reduction in giving is with people who are over 50. That’s a problem for the future of the church, and I don’t know if we’re going to see that going back to what it was.” Dipprey explained.
Expanding on his beliefs that an ‘evangelic recession’ is incoming, Dipprey shared the concerning number of people who are leaving the church for good, sharing, “The kids that commit to your church…when they’re 18, 19, 20, 30-years old, they’re leaving the church and not coming back…and we’re not reaching enough new people to make up for this loss.”
“If we do nothing, it’s going to be a problem long-term, so staying to the status-quo is actually not a very food proposition if you understand the problem.” Dipprey stated.
To try and combat these issues, Dipprey explained the model of ‘multiplication’ that Experience Life Church has developed, which sees churches reaching local suburbs quicker than traditional methods of ‘planting churches.’
To hear more about the ‘evangelical recession,’ and Dipprey’s perspective on multiplying churches to develop a, ‘Disciple-Making Movement,’ listen to the full audio below:
Tune into 20Twenty and join the conversation with Neil Johnson, weekdays on Vision Christian Radio. Click here for your local times.
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