If you missed the presentation to our 2021 North Alabama Annual Conference, with Tony Morgan from The Unstuck Group, here are some key takeaways from the 1st Quarter assessment results of the last 12 months in the categories of ministry reach, connection, staffing and leadership, finances and overall health.
Ministry Reach
Churches connected with fewer new people in the last 12 months.
The average in-person attendance over the previous 12 months of churches dropped by more than 28%.
The number of baptisms over the last 12 months declined by 52% across all churches.
The decline in attendance continues to be offset by the increase in online service views which increased 123%.
Ministry Connection
Home groups are the primary option churches offer to connect people into smaller gatherings beyond the weekend services.
Small group participation has increased through the pandemic.
Churches are increasing their use of email to stay connected with their congregations.
Ministry Staffing and Leadership
Staffing levels remain high compared to attendance declines.
Churches lean on part-time staff more than other sectors of the economy.
The average church board or elder team has 9 members...when the largest board was excluded. (The largest board identified in the current reporting cycle had 179 members.)
Ministry Finances
Giving has increased during the pandemic. (Churches reported on average that their total general fund giving was up 1.7% from the previous year.)
Churches average having the equivalent of 22 weeks in cash reserves. (This has jumped significantly from pre-COVID when churches indicated they had 15 weeks in cash reserves.
Churches are continuing to reduce their level of debt.
Overall Health
85% of churches are currently sitting on the downward slope of the typical church life cycle.
In particular, the majority (65%) of churches are in Maintenance phase.
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