The Bible provides wisdom and insight into why some churches thrive and grow while others struggle and decline. Ultimately, it comes down to faithfulness – both to God’s Word and to relying on His power. Churches that stay true to the Gospel and seek God’s direction tend to be spiritually vibrant. Ones that stray from biblical truth or depend on their own strength often lose their lampstand (Revelation 2:5). Here is a deeper look at what Scripture says about thriving churches versus declining ones.
Thriving Churches:
Preach the Word
Churches that thrive focus on preaching the Word of God. They teach sound doctrine and exhort people to obey God’s commands (Titus 2:1). Their preachers boldly proclaim the Gospel, refuse to compromise the truth, and confront sin when necessary (2 Timothy 4:2-5). Their sermons aim to exalt Christ, build up believers, and call all people to repentance and faith.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Rely on the Spirit
Thriving churches acknowledge their need for the Holy Spirit’s power. They pray earnestly for Him to fill their worship services, outreaches, and daily walk. Their ministry flows from abiding in Christ, obedience to the Spirit’s leading, and full dependence on His strength (Zechariah 4:6). They yield every area of church life to the Spirit’s control.
Zechariah 4:6 – Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
Pursue Unity & Community
Healthy churches make fellowship and unity top priorities. They avoid divisions over secondary issues and opinions (1 Corinthians 1:10). Members care for each other, bear one another’s burdens, and spur each other to godliness (Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 10:24-25). Leadership cultivates close community, biblical accountability, and loving service within the body.
John 13:35 – By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Reach the Lost
Thriving churches maintain a strong evangelistic spirit. They understand their mission is to make disciples of all nations by going and preaching the Gospel (Matthew 28:19-20). Their outreaches, programming, and budgeting all aim to reach the lost. Members share Christ daily through word and deed. Converted lives testify to a church’s evangelistic fervor.
Matthew 28:19-20 – Go therefore and 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.
Practice Biblical Leadership
Godly leadership contributes to church health. Thriving congregations have elders who meet biblical qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). These servant leaders follow Jesus’ model and seek God’s will above their own. They equip believers for ministry and guard against false teaching. Wise administration enables a church to function smoothly.
1 Peter 5:1-4 – Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
Disciple Believers
Strong churches place heavy emphasis on discipleship to build mature followers of Christ. They provide clear pathways and resources for members to grow in faith. Their preaching and teaching aims for life transformation, not just information transfer. Seasoned believers invest in new converts and young disciples. Ongoing mentoring produces stable, rooted Christians.
Matthew 28:19-20 – Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
Pray Fervently
Prayer fuels vital churches. They cultivate a culture of prayer that permeates everything. Leaders model humble dependence on God through prayer. Corporate prayer meetings become a lifeline for seeking God’s direction and power. Believers intercede consistently for the church’s health and growth. A thriving prayer life breathes life into other areas.
Colossians 4:2 – Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Declining Churches:
Neglect Biblical Teaching
Churches begin to decline when they neglect biblical preaching and teaching. They may water down truth to please people’s ears (2 Timothy 4:3). Preachers may speak on pet topics instead of the whole counsel of God. Shallow sermons fail to nourish souls or confront sin. A lack of sound doctrine leaves people open to false teaching and worldly thinking.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 – For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth.
Rely on Human Strength
Church decline often stems from relying on human strategies, talent, and effort rather than the Spirit’s power. Though God calls churches to plan and work hard, all our labor is in vain apart from Him (Psalm 127:1). Churches that operate in their own strength will eventually run on fumes. Only the Spirit’s might can fuel lasting fruitfulness.
Zechariah 4:6 – Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
Tolerate Disunity
Bickering, gossip, selfishness and other relational sins signal impending church decline. When fellowship suffers, petty divisions arise. Cliques form while the marginalized fall away. People stop caring for each other and focus on preferences over people. Toxic culture chokes out community and stunts church health.
1 Corinthians 1:10 – I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
Neglect Evangelism
Churches stagnate when evangelism and outreach decline. Ingrown social circles form. Budgets and programs cater more to insiders’ preferences at the expense of reaching outsiders. complacency and comfort replace the urgency to reach lost souls. A lack of conversion growth reflects a diminished spiritual vitality.
Matthew 28:19 – Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Ungodly Leadership
Unqualified leaders drag churches downhill. Those without integrity, sobriety, or strong families disqualify themselves (1 Timothy 3:1-13). Domineering leaders destroy trust and unity. when leaders stop exemplifying servant leadership, abuses arise. Bad decisions or sinful conduct by leaders spread damage widely.
1 Peter 5:2-3 – Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight…not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
Neglect Discipleship
Immature believers cripple church health. New converts never discipled beyond initial decisions struggle to stand firm. Undisciplined members live worldly lives that corrupt the church (1 Cor 5:6). Shallow sermons produce shallow roots. Without mentoring in godly character and Spirit-empowered obedience, surface-level faith wilts.
Matthew 28:19-20 – Make disciples…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
Prayerlessness
As prayer declines, so do churches. Leaders may teach on prayer but rarely model humble dependence. Corporate prayer gatherings feel rote or sparsely attended. Believers try wielding ministry in their own power. Attempts to strategize and revive the church fall flat without God’s power secured through prayer.
Colossians 4:2 – Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
In summary, biblical faithfulness and reliance on the Spirit are essential for churches to thrive long-term. Straying from God’s Word and Kingdom priorities leads to spiritual apathy, shrinking impact, and eventual death. But churches anchored on Scripture, prayer, bold preaching, and loving community position themselves to flourish for God’s glory.
