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When I’m with friends from other denominations, they often ask for the AG’s secret to growth when all the other denominations’ numbers are declining. While there are some very legitimate reasons why the AG has seen sustained growth in the U.S. and globally (95 percent of the AG resides outside the U.S.), there’s a concerning statistical development on the horizon for us, too. Our latest U.S. numbers reveal that the AG is growing in churches and average attendance, but only barely. Our total number of adherents slipped majorly after 20+ years of consecutive growth. Our number of churches classified as plateaued and declining is at its highest level in nearly four decades. While the number of water baptisms has continued to climb generally, Spirit baptisms (a hallmark of the Pentecostal church and experience) have been on the decline 11 out of the last 18 years.
2015-2019 Reports
Attendance/Adherents
- Major Worship Service Attendance by District, 2005-2015
- Major Worship Service Attendance 1978-2015
- Vital Statistics District Summary
- Sunday PM Attendance 1978-2015
- Adherents 1975-2015
- Adherents by Age 2001-2015
- Adherents by Race 2001-2015
- Worldwide Churches and Adherents 1987-2015
Baptisms and Conversions
- Baptisms, 1979-2015
- Conversions, Baptisms, and Sunday PM Attendance
- Conversions (by District), 2014-2015
- Conversions, 1978-2014
Churches
- Churches and Membership by Geographic Districts Map
- Churches and Membership by Geographic Regions Map
- Churches and Membership by Language Districts Map
- Churches, Membership, Adherents, and Ministers 1960-2015
- Churches Opened and Closed 1965-2015
- Church Changes by District
- Churches by Church Type
- Race and Ethnicity of Churches
Ministers
- Ministers Report, Credentials, Marital, and Ministry Status by Gender
- Ministers Marital Status for the Nation
- Additions and Terminations of Ministers by Category of Change
- Ministers by District, Region, and Credential Level 2013-2015
- Ministers by Age 2015
- Ministers Median Ages 1979-2015
- Female Ministers
We often see stats as a measure of whether we’re winning or losing, growing or declining. I get that, and there’s some truth to it. We’re right to measure things because what gets measured will typically receive most of our attention, but there’s another truth here as well. As William Bruce Cameron wrote, “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” Though churches and denominations report common numbers like salvations, baptisms, attendance, membership and giving, there’s more that matters than just the numbers.
- The decline is because that denomination is too legalistic and doesn’t appeal to the younger generation.
- The decline is because so many denominational churches are watering down the gospel message and preaching a gospel of ease and comfort.
- The decline is because the denomination has lost its missional focus.
Quoted from Dr. John Davidson is Director of the Alliance for AG Higher Education and Director of the CMN Leadership Development in the Assemblies of God National Office.
Many of our nation’s churches can no longer afford to maintain their structures—6,000 to10,000 churches die each year in America—and that number will likely grow.
The research gives a clear picture of the state of Protestant churches in America today. Most have fewer than 100 people attending services each Sunday (57 percent), including 21 percent who average fewer than 50. Around 1 in 10 churches (11 percent) average 250 or more for their worship services.
Three in 5 (61 percent) pastors say their churches faced a decline in worship attendance or growth of 5 percent or less in the last three years. Almost half (46 percent) say their giving decreased or stayed the same from 2017 to 2018.
More than 2 in 5 churches (44 percent) only have one or fewer full-time staff members. Close to 9 in 10 pastors (87 percent) say their church had the same or fewer number of full-time staff in 2018 as they had in 2017, including 7 percent who cut staff.
In 2018, few churches added new multi-site campuses (3 percent) or were involved in some form of planting a new church (32 percent). Sixty-eight percent say they had no involvement in church planting. Around 1 in 10 (12 percent) say they were directly or substantially involved in opening a new church in 2018, including 7 percent who were a primary financial sponsor or provided ongoing financial support to a church plant.
“What’s your church?” In certain parts of the US it’s still one of the first questions you hear when meeting people for the first time. Yet, a new survey by Gallup finds that membership in religious congregations is plummeting. Only half (50%) of the public report that they are a member of a house of worship — church, synagogue or mosque. This represents a precipitous decline over the past few years. In 2013, just five years earlier, nearly six in ten (59%) Americans said they were a member of a religious congregation. The drop marks the first time in the history of Gallup’s polling, which stretches back to 1938, that fewer than a majority of the public reported belonging to a religious congregation.
Source: Gallup, 2019
Millennial Membership Decline
Younger and older Americans are increasingly inhabiting completely different religious planets. Only 42% of Millennials claim membership in a religious congregation compared to more than two-thirds (68%) of Traditionalists, sometimes referred to as the Silent Generation, the cohort born in or before 1945. Even more notable than the 26-point generation gap between America’s oldest and youngest adults, is that only 57% of religious Millennials—those who identify with a religious tradition — report being members of a congregation.
A Widening Partisan Gap
Nowhere has the disparity in church membership become more acute then between Democrats and Republicans. In the late 1990s, more than seven in ten Democrats (71%) and Republicans (77%) said they belonged to a congregation. Today, fewer than half (48%) of Democrats are members of a church, synagogue or mosque while 69% of Republicans are.
Source: Gallup, 2019
Liberal Secularization
There is a yawning divide between America’s conservatives and liberals when it comes to congregational membership. While two-thirds (67%) of conservatives report that they belong to a place of worship only 37% of liberals say the same. In the late 1990s, a majority of liberals (56%) claimed membership in a religious congregation.
Unmarried and Unchurched?
The religious gap between married and unmarried Americans has also grown over the last two decades. Today, fewer than half (45%) of unmarried Americans report being members in a religious congregation compared to 59% of married Americans. In the late 1990s, marital status made much less difference in the likelihood that one belonged to a church. 64% of unmarried Americans and 71% of married Americans were members of a church or other house of worship at that time.
The 2018 General Social Survey found that nearly one in four (23%) of Americans are now religiously unaffiliated, but twice as many members of the public no longer claim membership in a formal religious community. Moreover, while belief in God remains strong in the US — if perhaps more varied than previously thought — the vitality of religious life depends on regular association and interaction that congregational membership provides.
Kaluba Chibesakunda
Kaluba Chibesakunda liked this on Facebook.
Jim Price
Thanks for posting. This shows that the AoG has about twice the number as the CoG, I averaged out that their 12,897 churches had an average of 140 in attendance. While they have had a small overall gain they have a challenge in that their average ordained and licensed minister is 55 years of age, suggesting that another 10 years will put them at retirement age. I heard the Ohio AB of the CoG tell a Cleveland Church that the CoG did not show any net gain for 2014. ( ? )
Varnel Watson
Where are you getting these stats from Jim Charles Page
Jim Price
It’s on the site that Troy posted above. Plus I had the COG stats.
Varnel Watson
I am Troy 🙂 but where are the cog stats from? Can you publish them
Varnel Watson
Thangsan Hisfootstep How have these changes in the past years Seems like lots of churches closing down recently Terry Wiles
Varnel Watson
Terry Wiles I hope you believe me now Lots of people argued against the official stats last year without actually seeing them Now that they are public I would like to point to 2018 New Church Charters and Closes 1965 through 2018 – PDF (578.9 KB)
2017 300 new churches – 319 closed churches
vs
2016 406 new churches – 280 closed one
as seen on the chart
The 2017-18 decline is worse than 2013
The 3-4 year growth (2014-2016) is over
our AG are now hit harder than ever before and declining
https://ag.org/About/Statistics
Terry Wiles
We must pray for them my brother.
Varnel Watson
the complete 2018 stats are DRASTIC
Terry Wiles
Times are changing. A lot of churches probably need to close. Are you suggesting it’s something about Ichabod? Be careful…
Terry Wiles
Our area had over 2% growth. That’s pretty good in the seat of liberalism.
Daniel J Hesse
Let’s be fair. Many of our 4 and 5th generations did not see value, meaning, or purpose in the church as we did. The ones who did held both to style and function. Many of us (ie; myself) were viewed as devils b/c we seen the concept of being separate and apart as of great importance. We had leaders who found themselves dealing with a rapidly changing world where information could no longer be suppressed. It has proven and will prove our fate the our churches will be far healthier when we begin to hold to the Head of the church and not our own heads.
Daniel J Hesse
We need to learn the process of telling His story of love for the world and the free gift of God’s grace.
Daniel J Hesse
I wonder if we can shift or enhance the present paradigm? I note some the modern young leaders have a unique spirit to their work. I am also seeing a side of ministry where the fruit of the Spirit seems barren.
Jason Lohse
This is a touchy subject that I feel shows the heart of the churches. Many have replaced the Spirit with lights and fun and worldliness. Making church an attraction like the world. Until the churches get back to He is truly enough this will happen because the power leaves and many feel the reality of that and would rather not waste their time. I pray the churches stop fearing numbers and get back to preaching the word. It’s sad how far many denominations have fallen.
Tim Dalton
back to preaching the gospel is how you get converts.
Jason Lohse
Tim Dalton it’s the only way. If you bring them in by the world then you have to keep them that way, and thus you have the majority of modern Christianity.
Varnel Watson
Daniel J Hesse was the only one trysting the stats
Tim Dalton
They don’t seem empowered to reproduce themselves. Maybe they need teaching as they testify that they have the Power from on high. Just so little fruit of it.
“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.] Matt 18:11
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8
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, Matt 28:19
Varnel Watson
what is the AG / COG / IPHC strategy for growth?
Tim Dalton
I only know the bible’s strategy which is seldom practiced. It is to use wisdom.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30
IT is to show service (beyond lip service).
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 1 Cor. 1:19
So to sum up, the winning of soul is the wise thing to do (let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:20).
The way you do that is by being a servant and not expecting special difference if you claim to be a leader (“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 &Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.1 Cor. 4:1)
Man pleasing can even apply to yourself and what one think his office deserves (For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Gal. 1:10)
The only one we please by disobedience of the great commission is ourself. It has to be as we are disregarding God’s will and don’t care about where others spend eternity.
This is total disobedience to the Lord’s command.
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (Rev. 2:4-5)
You can have all the man centered strategies and program which you can afford to pay some firm to create, but if you don’t have this the backslidding will continue.
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; (acts 15:8)
Alan Smith
Don’t all 3 claim massive growth?
Seems to me that their ‘fuzzy math’ makes them happy.
Tim Dalton
I only know the bible’s strategy which is seldom practiced. It is to use wisdom.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30
IT is to show service (beyond lip service).
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 1 Cor. 1:19
So to sum up, the winning of soul is the wise thing to do (let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:20).
The way you do that is by being a servant and not expecting special difference if you claim to be a leader (“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 &Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.1 Cor. 4:1)
Man pleasing can even apply to yourself and what one think his office deserves (For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Gal. 1:10)
The only one we please by disobedience of the great commission is ourself. It has to be as we are disregarding God’s will and don’t care about where others spend eternity.
This is total disobedience to the Lord’s command.
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (Rev. 2:4-5)
You can have all the man centered strategies and program which you can afford to pay some firm to create, but if you don’t have this the backslidding will continue.
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; (acts 15:8)
Tim Dalton
Here is an interesting side note to paying huge sums of money for a canned evangelism program/strategy when the Spirit is freely given. If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)
saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! (Acts 8).
This is how serious it is. Millions are pouring into hell because of their sin. We have the answer in the command to share the solution to all.
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. ( John 14:15)
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21)
There is no speculations and time wasting concerning in His command. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15) The word said “one time with ongoing repercussion) Go ye is aorist passive deponent – he spoke to us. Preach is aorist active imperative – beginning at a certain point (when Jesus spoke it) active means we are the doer of the action and imperative – a command.
Obey the Lord is more than just telling a congregation to do whatever they want in an organized service.
Tim Dalton
One more thought. The early church really as a whole body do the Lord’s command at first. It took persecution for them to wake up and get out of Jerusalem. Just a thought. What will it take today?
Varnel Watson
we know for sure the sudden growth is long gone
Tim Dalton
even that was a lot of come outers (proselytes) and not the majority being new converts. It seems many were infatuated with the new gifts and not the real reason for the outpouring.
“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. (John 4:35)
And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (luke 10:2)
So many “in the light “are content to sit in their pew with their family and a small circle of friends to get “their blessing”. That seems to be the tradition and legacy handed down.
keith Green wrote a song describing this fiasco.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik-XOVZcwow&ab_channel=jeanetteaw
Varnel Watson
Tim Dalton Daniel J Hesse Peter Vandever Terry Wiles I would like you to visit with me the following document called 2018 New Church Charters and Closes 1965 through 2018 – PDF (578.9 KB) on the official stat page of our AG here https://ag.org/About/Statistics and not to bother me no more before seeing the actual stats. The sudden drop of churches and RISE of closing congregations in 2018 is obvious as I stated almost exactly a year ago This stops the so called 25-27 year growth especially the one advertised in 2017 as explosive and matched to earlier AG revivals in Florida, which in fact it was NOT. Now then I am encouraged by the rebounce shown on the chart at the bottom of the document but given the early stat data I am NOT convinced at all that it will hold in 2019 Actually, more recent filing shows decline through out 2020 #noughSaid
Varnel Watson
Daniel J Hesse Peter Vandever THIS
Daniel J Hesse
This is interesting to hear! I wonder if we fail in numbers not to mention the pastors and churches in our fellowship who have chosen the Apostolc approach and multi site churches with networks coming out of the fellowship? I wonder if the numbers tell the whole story? The older generation leaders kept up appearances while a newer generation seem more transparent? Please correct.
Varnel Watson
Did you see the chart inside Daniel J Hesse ???
Daniel J Hesse
Troy Day can you send it to me. Although it breaks our hearts to hear decline in our fellowship which we appreciate, honor, and love.
Varnel Watson
I did above – 2018 New Church Charters and Closes 1965 through 2018 – PDF (578.9 KB) on the official stat page of our AG here https://ag.org/About/Statistics
Daniel J Hesse
No
Varnel Watson
so you still havent seen it? Terry Wiles
Larry Dale Steele
Are you AG Troy Day?
Varnel Watson
4th gen – what about you?
Larry Dale Steele
I grew up in the AG most of my family are still in the AG but I’m actually preaching in a OCOG right now
Varnel Watson
not sure whats ocog but its funny they let you post on FB while in the pulpit – lots of ppl now do it too
Larry Dale Steele
Lol I don’t post while I’m in the pulpit
Varnel Watson
me neither but your timing was right on
Larry Dale Steele
Troy Day lol
Terry Wiles
In Peruvian Amazon. Not into stats down here.
Varnel Watson
how convenient
Terry Wiles
Terry Wiles
Varnel Watson
Terry Wiles Daniel J Hesse Larry Dale Steele need I post a snapshot?
Larry Dale Steele
yes
Daniel J Hesse
I saw it. Curious how we go from 126 to another number to another. Unless, we have other groups of churches merging into the fellowship? Over a certain year, I noted a decline of 20, 000 adherents? Please correct.
Varnel Watson
did you see the X cross toward the end in 2018 how church member goes down and church close goes up? I wish the people who argued with me last year about that are here to see the actual official stat There was some Phillip all-knowing guy if I can find him again who claimed NM was out growing Mars and Moon all together Peter Vandever whats your take on this so called AG growth that dropped in recent years?
Varnel Watson
Here we go Terry Wiles Daniel J Hesse Peter Vandever
Varnel Watson
all official from AG – I’ve circled the cross section
Daniel J Hesse
Troy Day we have seen many closures replanted under sister churches and others established under ARC or parent churches. City Reach has planted countless churches with a model of discipleship and deliverance.
Varnel Watson
it is the issue I was addressing last year when someone was claiming boom growth in NM of all places; the guy wasnt even a pastor or in ministry to understand the character of the argument ANYHOW now that official stats show what I was trying to relate IF you know the guy send him the stat pls Now then this does NOT mean AG will not bounce back BUT from what we’ve seen as a trend this is likely improbable until 2022
Daniel J Hesse
Troy Day note that 2008 the Great Recession and the growth curve. How much of this was acquisitional growth for survival in other sister denoms?
Varnel Watson
I did I did That was actually 2009 but they claimed 27 yrs spur which you see around 95 was not exactly that 🙂 then we have the FL revivals + Resolution 16 shut down
Daniel J Hesse
Troy Day you mentioned Res 16 several times.
Varnel Watson
YES indeed
Terry Wiles
Troy Day there are many variations of reporting and lots of fluctuations.
Varnel Watson
WELL but this is the OFFICIAL one
Daniel J Hesse
Terry Wiles variations and fluctuations?
Daniel J Hesse
Terry Wiles are we flexing or fluxing.
Terry Wiles
Some report by guessing, rounding, hurrying to put something down so they can get it in and not be penalized.
Some count every chick, bird, and bee.
Some don’t report. As you can see on the chart it’s an up and down process.
The chart only expresses numbers received.
Terry Wiles
Daniel J Hesse I’m resting in the Amazon.
Daniel J Hesse
Terry Wiles both!
Daniel J Hesse
Terry Wiles tell that story!
Terry Wiles
30 minute flight below equator. Only rivers, no roads. Rivers are high. Days are hot.
Varnel Watson
just like the AG stats went down the river…
Daniel J Hesse
Troy Day sad analogy. As I mentioned. Here many of the churches have former AG pastors or people who were at one time a part. What we have on record or stat does not speak to the larger context.
Daniel J Hesse
Troy Day the larger question is what caused many to leave, outside moral or relational issues? Divorce or remarriage etc…
Varnel Watson
well the other way is going up the river without a paddle
Varnel Watson
here we go Daniel J Hesse seems like Peter Vandever was right after all Hope Steve Maxwell gets to read these new stats
Daniel J Hesse
Can u give an overview?
Varnel Watson
bottom line – 2019 stats are down for the US
Daniel J Hesse
How?
Daniel J Hesse
Not possible.
Daniel J Hesse
Not possible.
Varnel Watson
Steve Maxwell I’ve also read that through its existence AoG has led 1 billion souls to the Lord – seems like many left Now then back to your claims of growth in NM and others
The rapid growth of AG – so claimed in 2017 because of converts outside of the US and migrant waves taken into AG numbers has declined The 2018-2019 statistics – now officially published by AG itself shows THAT
in the United States
both local congregations
and total number of churches in the nation
ARE
rapidly declining in some cases as fast as 3% annually
Daniel J Hesse
Is this due to our corporate buy in towards franchisement of church? Or do we consider the overall marketing we have chosen. What about the overall decline toward spiritual disciplines?
Varnel Watson
Still waiting on Steve Maxwell to interpret the new stats
Steve Maxwell
Nothing wrong with 12% growth over a decade. You remind me a bit of the Trump haters wanting the economy to turn bad.
Varnel Watson
my point was decline since 2017 mainly in 2018 and seems like keeping on in 2019 – that’s all Major decline
Steve Maxwell
Troy Day, I wasn’t able to open any reports, except the one that said the AG had grown 12% in the last decade. It is likely that the AG is going to suffer some competitive pressures from independent churches, Calvary Chapels and Oneness Pentecostals. That’s not a bad thing.
Varnel Watson
Really? This is the original authentic AG website where they publish their stuff. How can you not?
Varnel Watson
Steve Maxwell I hope you believe me now Lots of people argued against the official stats last year without actually seeing them Now that they are public I would like to point to 2018 New Church Charters and Closes 1965 through 2018 – PDF (578.9 KB)
2017 300 new churches – 319 closed churches
vs
2016 406 new churches – 280 closed one
as seen on the chart
The 2017-18 decline is worse than 2013
The 3-4 year growth (2014-2016) is over
our AG is now hit harder than ever before and declining
https://ag.org/About/Statistics
Daniel J Hesse
I believe with the changes in times and culture we are doing the best we can regardless. I can’t put too much stock in the stats.
Varnel Watson
Steve Maxwell I posted this as soon as they transferred it from the mailing list info to the actual site. I also posted this comment for your consideration on 5/17 Did you miss it again?
Steve Maxwell I hope you believe me now Lots of people argued against the official stats last year without actually seeing them Now that they are public I would like to point you to
2018 New Church Charters and Closes 1965 through 2018 – PDF (578.9 KB)
2017 300 new churches – 319 closed churches
vs
2016 406 new churches – 280 closed ones as seen on the chart
The 2017-18 decline is worse than 2013
The 3-4 year growth (2014-2016) is over
our AG is now hit harder than ever before and declining
https://ag.org/About/Statistics
Joe Absher
I recently heard that of the approximately 2,000 Elim Pentecostal churches pioneered by the Jeffries brothers only two have closed in over a hundred years?
Varnel Watson
Old news you’ve posted before Now go check the new 2018 stats I pointed you to above and read them
Steve Maxwell
Troy Day the second photo is 2018
Steve Maxwell
Look at the top right hand side and you will see 2017 to 2018 change.
Daniel J Hesse
It is very hard to accept with the number of larger churches in our fellowship.
Varnel Watson
Steve Maxwell I take it you found the 2018 stats 🙂
Steve Maxwell
Troy Day there the totals are and they aren’t as dire as you claim. Even a small increase in the number of churches. What the Methodist, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Catholics and Baptists wouldn’t give for those numbers
Varnel Watson
these are JUST the official stats
2018 New Church Charters and Closes 1965 through 2018 – PDF (578.9 KB)
2017 300 new churches – 319 closed churches
vs
2016 406 new churches – 280 closed ones as seen on the chart
The 2017-18 decline is worse than 2013
WHAT small increase in the number of churches?
19 churches more are closed than opened in 1 single area alone And most importantly 300 new churches are not as influential as 300 established churches
My claim – the acclaimed growth is over and it has been for several years now We are yet to see the NEW 2019 stats While other years ministers received 1st quarter growth and projections we have not received any stats for the whole 1st half of this year We will see whats what soon
Steve Maxwell
Troy Day the chart above, indicates that there is a net growth of thirteen churches from 2017 to 2018. Small and a concern, but growth.
Considering the competition from independent charismatic churches, megachurches, Oneness Pentecostals and Calvary chapels, the Spirit filled churches are holding up their end of Christianity.
Varnel Watson
Steve Maxwell we dont know the 2019 stats just yet Only the end of the year can show them with no speculation
Steve Maxwell
Troy Day corrected
Varnel Watson
Also I would not go as far as calling charismatic churches, megachurches, Oneness Pentecostals non Spirit filled I am specifically interested in AG growth in the US not even Canada Where do you get your stats for CA from? I did not find any official source on their website Still looking
Steve Maxwell
Troy Day
Varnel Watson
Steve Maxwell YES GLOBAL Pentecostalism is growing very FAST My initial claim as it remains today is that AG in the USA is in decline – the difference is obvious
Steve Maxwell
Look at that growth in the world wide Pentecostal church. From 6% of Christians to 25% from 1980. That’s amazing. 35,000 people a day being added….simply amazing.
Varnel Watson
Not my concern or the one of OP – claim was regarding AG in the USA being in decline amid the 2017 boom Where do you get your stats for CA? Non of the district websites has them? Northern California and Nevada District Council comprises approximately 450 churches, with 125,000 adherents, and 1500 ministers. Approximately 25% of our district churches are ethnic majority churches http://agncn.org/about#who-we-are-1
Steve Maxwell
Troy Day all you have is your opinion and not any evidence to back it up. You post these things, I open up and look at them and they don’t support your claim. Yes, it appears that in some regions that the AG is decreasing, while it’s increasing in others. The growth may be slowing but the AG is far from imploding as you wish it would.
If it’s slowed growth was because of a decline in the number of Spirit filled Christians was declining, there may be concerns. But that is not the case. It’s likely that the growth of the AG is slowing, because of increases in other groups of Spirit filled Churches.
Steve Maxwell
Troy Day here’s an article with statistics proving my point about independent churches that have been growing at 3.5% a year.
https://theconversation.com/how-a-growing-christian-movement-is-seeking-to-change-america-85571
Varnel Watson
oh well – AG stats say what they say
Varnel Watson
Steve Maxwell specifically on Ca and SoCal districts the growth if ANY comes from Hispanic churches not your classical California AG church I believe your claim last years was about NM and your location There is NO AG growth in NM – church there is in general decline across the line not just AG but all evangelicals in NM
Daniel J Hesse
It was some interesting numerical shifts and the creation of Latino Districts along with sud Districts and relational Districts outside traditional District boundaries.
Varnel Watson
Daniel J Hesse The first order for the church is to be in agreement with God. Sadly, many professing believers are on the devil’s side. You cannot walk in the authority of Christ if you’re living in sin and walking in darkness. Remember that a house or a kingdom divided against itself will not stand (Matt. 12:25-30). The church cannot tacitly approve abortion, same-sex marriage and remain silent against all the evils that have infiltrated and are now dominating American culture. We cannot ignore and live in the politically correct zone concerning the dangers of radical Islam and the anti-Christ agenda in America. Silence in such an evil day is grief to the Holy Spirit and a certain impending judgment.
Varnel Watson
be my guest Steve Maxwell you ignored this when it was published in the spring and we spoke with Philip Williams and Daniel J Hesse about it Argue that stats if you can 🙂
Jim Price
Interesting !
Daniel J Hesse
Is it fair to say this as a whole? We all know the dynamics of the church has changed. Can we afford in the West to disregard these realities? I want to focus on the positive values.
Daniel J Hesse
I thank God for my AG affiliation and bless it. I recognize His kingdom is larger than the AG.
Steve Maxwell
How many times do I have to shove this in your face, Troy….from the statistics that you posted above. A net growth of 13 churches in the AG.
Steve Maxwell
It’s net growth, Troy. Like new businesses, new churches fail at a greater rate.
Varnel Watson
is church really like a business? Philip Williams
Varnel Watson
why dont you show the WHOLE chart where the NET count is negative 6?
Anonymous
Daniel J Hesse Peter Vandever The Assemblies of God is diverse (44% of AG USA adherents are non-Anglo) and global (95% of AG adherents live outside the US). https://www.pentecostaltheology.com/pentecostal-history-by-the-numbers-2022-fphc-report/
Anonymous
In my county, it was reported there are 7 AG congregations compared to like 60 some Southern Baptist ones. The highest number of adherents was non-denominational congregations.
Anonymous
Derek Godfrey In my country?
Anonymous
Troy Day no. county. NC has like 100 counties. Just my county alone.
Anonymous
you dont mean that Philip Williams is from NC;s 1 county
Anonymous
Troy Day 1 county was twice proposed named Williams. It was never established because the Eastern NC legislators didn’t like my family who were popular with the local people. They eventually established it and named it for a London witch, but supporter of the American War for Independence, John Wilkes.
Anonymous
Derek Godfrey what county do you live in?
Anonymous
Philip Williams Forsyth
Anonymous
Derek Godfrey AMERICA?
Anonymous
Troy Day yes. North Carolina. You know, the buckle of the Bible Belt?
Anonymous
https://www.youtube.com/live/bzs7w1nuZBM?feature=share
Anonymous
Douglas Dole Dr. Michael Brown? Philip Williams