New Plan to Reverse Trend in Declining Church Attendance
“Churches in the U.S. are being destroyed from the inside out.” So says Ken Newberger who holds a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and a Masters of Theology degree. He points to research published in 2010 by the Barna Group which revealed two significant findings: (1) the majority of the “unchurched” identify themselves as Christians, and (2) about four out of ten of these stopped attending church due to an emotionally “painful” or “negative” experience. Unresolved conflict is often the root cause. Given present trends, Barna projected that attendance nationally will be half of what it is today in 15 years. Clearly, local church leaders are struggling to effectively deal with this existential threat to Christian faith and practice.
Dr. Newberger states that the solution to this problem is found in the Judeo-Christian Model of Peacemaking. This approach to peacemaking reflects the same approach God uses to make peace with humanity. What Dr. Newberger calls an “unsurpassable model” takes the pattern by which people have made peace with God through the centuries and applies it directly to social situations, transforming adversaries into friends. When applied in churches, the process not only resolves interpersonal disputes but positively promotes congregational health, an outcome that is measureable in terms of attendance and giving.
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, the two pictures at www.ResolveChurchConflict.com say a mouthful.
For information on how this negative national trend can be reversed by churches in their local settings, call 301-253-8877. Dr. Newberger, along with his growing team of associates, stand ready to help.
Dr. Kenneth C. Newberger is president of both Newberger & Associates, LLC and the Association of Conflict Competent Churches, and author of the book, “Hope in the Face of Conflict: Making Peace with Others the Way God Makes Peace with Us.” He is a leading authority on resolving church conflict and facilitating congregational health.
(Source: Christian Newswire)
