Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

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In "Autopsy of a Deceased Church", Thom Rainer seeks to warn churches about the signs of a church that is in danger of dying. To discern the marks of an unhealthy church, Rainer studies a multitude of deceased churches to find out why they died and use that research to help the many churches that have plateaued. Even healthy churches must be on the lookout for these signs of stagnation lest they be deceived into thinking everything is going fine when they are slowing declining. The author uses the story of how he returned to his hometown and was struck by how much the town had changed while those who lived there didn't notice as a warning of how slow incremental change can blind us to the truth (12). Many plateaued churches do not realize the danger they are in or that they are showing signs of trouble. As many as 100,000 churches are showing signs of decline and are in danger of dying (7). Churches decline because they become inwardly focused instead of outwardly focused on reaching the community for Christ (22). Prayer and evangelism are not prioritized and selfish division divides and prevents the church from carrying out her God-given task.The past becomes the hero as the members look to the "good old days" through nostalgia-tinted glasses rather than focusing on the present mission of the church and our responsibility to reach the lost for Christ. The community around the church changed while they remained the same. The church became "a fortress" where any change was strongly resisted (27). The budget moved inwardly rather than using church funds to help the community. These churches were not involved in local or world missions, and in dong so, forgot the great commission entirely (39). They were not willing to do the hard work of evangelism and so they died protecting their comfort (44).The membership roles were filled with people who rarely ever came to church, but they made sure to come to the business meeting so that no changes could take place (48). Pastors came and went rather than having someone who the members could rely on. The Wednesday night prayer meeting was not emphasized and personal prayer was neglected. Rainer writes that "a failure to pray was tantamount to a failure to breath" (67). These churches had lost their way because they had lost their vision. They made the focus their facilities instead of the lostness of their community. They fought in church business meetings over the smallest changes and resisted moving toward changes that could have saved their life. They were collecting treasures on earth instead of laying up treasures in heaven (81).But fortunately, Christ offers hope for dying churches and Rainer lays out twelve ways a church can recover and reach the lost for Christ. The church must dedicate itself to self-examination to discover what needs to be changed and pray for the courage to do it. They must evangelize their community and reach out to those in need. They must be willing to make hard decisions and pray for the strength to put that plan into action. They must be outwardly focused instead of inwardly focused and that takes the whole church working together for a common goal.Rainer's work is a reminder that churches die when they are not living in light of eternity. Churches need visionary leaders who can cast a vision and help the church trust in the Lord again (Prov 3:5). They must recover their first love (Rev 2:4). Pastors and teachers can be instruments of change in the hand of God by setting an example of what it looks like to witness about Christ to the community around them and by leading the people of God to embrace the vital importance of personal prayer. They must lead the church in works of service, evangelism, counseling, and model Christlikeness in their life and preaching. When the pastor gives sacrificially, the congregation is much more likely to respond to the call for change and outreach to see their friends and neighbors find the forgiveness that Christ offers in the gospel. May God use this book to give boldness and courage to his church for their good and Christ's glory.

I received this book about 18 hours ago and I just finished it. This book, along with "I Am A Church Member," is an exceptional book to be given to people in church leadership. It may scare new members away. This book is the product of many requests of Dr. Rainer to expand his blog article of the same title. There are three types of churches addressed by Rainer: Those showing signs of sickness, Those that are sick, and Those that are dying. Most of his information was gleaned from a study of 14 churches that closed their doors. He offers 10 signs of a church in trouble and he offers four suggestions for each of the three types of churches (Types are churches showing signs of sickness, churches that are sick, and those dying).The autopsy reveals ten characteristics of approximately 375,000 churches. I extrapolate this number from the fact that 40% of the churches he estimates, numbers 150,000. Thus, 150000 divided by .4 is 375,000. Rainer claims 10% are healthy, so 337,500 churches are sick, real sick, or dying. I'm not sure of the research paramaters since there are more churches than this in America. There are even more conservative churches than this more than likelyThe ten characteristics of 375 K American churches are slow erosion, the past is considered the hero, the church does not look like the community, the budget moves inward, the Great Commission is ignored, the church is driven by preferences, pastoral tenure is decreasing, the church rarely prays together, the church has no clear purpose, and the church is obsessed over the facilities.Rainer does a great job of describing the inward focus of the sick church. You can look at pastoral job descriptions and see the problem often times. I saw a job description that actually placed visitation between prayer and Bible study. At least the church did not leave out prayer. However, as long as the pastor visits the people (as his deacons should be doing even more than him), he can give a 15 minute homily from Guideposts with a cute joke. Rainer also pointed out this "country club" mentality in his previous book, "I Am A Church Member."One of Rainer's silent areas was very telling. I noticed he did not talk about Orthodoxy or heresy. He probably only interviewed conservative churches. In my own ministry, I have had little problems with liberal theology. I have dealt with much theological apathy and ignorance but not too much liberalism or post-modernism. Conservative churches fail every day and it has nothing to do with liberal theology. The fact is, many churches have a very liberal model (ordaining women, leadership growing politically liberal, at least Neo-Orthodox views of the Bible), however, they do missions, make changes, and reach out and still grow!It is a shame when churches that are a-theological or liberal can make converts to a false Jesus and those who believe in the Only Savior Jesus Christ and Him Alone die! It's outrageous.Would I change a few things about the book? Maybe. My book would be a little different and sell a lot less (for good reason! Dr. Rainer is a much more equipped researcher and writer than I am).1) Rainer does mention that the dying church should consider giving their assets to another 501-C3. I would have added that doctrinal fidelity is important. I would not want to see a Bible teaching, conservative church sell to an apostate liberal denomination or cult. I'm sure Rainer agrees. He just did not point that out.2) I would like to have seen his methodology spelled out in a little better detail.3) The option of replanting a church could have been mentioned. However, "merging" with an existing church and turning leadership over to them is a good idea. Also, the idea of giving the church to another group could be seen as replanting.4) Church discipline and replacing bad leaders with good leaders are also probably very good options in some cases even though this can often not be done. Lack of church discipline and appointment of theologically ignorant leaders generally causes the decline.All in all, this book is a 4.5, so let's go for 5! Thanks Dr. Rainer!

This book, if read with a sincere heart, will cause you to reevaluate your motives for ministry. Short and to the point; no fluff. If your church is sick and or dying, you probably want the doctor to give it to you straight. That’s what you get with this book. Rainer doesn’t mince words but he delivers the bad news with love compassion. Don’t read it if you don’t want to come face to face with the harsh reality of your own complicity in death of your church.

As a Deacon in my Church it is my responsibility through the Holy Ghost to help the health of the Church.

Very to the point, insightful, meaningful, and a must read for any Pastor. I have personally seen what this author describes in my own life experience and like him, can attest to its accuracy and truth.

As an observer and former member of dead and dying churches I have “lived through” this autopsy! I once had a member tell me that “rock and roll music has no place in church and that’s a fact.” That is a direct quote. I subtly reminded him that his sacred hymns were once considered sacrilege in the old Anglican Church because they were not psalms taken directly from the Bible.He was also quite upset that a band member was wearing a hat and that his sacred 9:00 service was replaced by a contemporary service because 9:00 was a convenient time for him (a retired person) even though young families preferred that time slot cuz kids are up early and soccer practice is at noon. He was unwilling to be inconvenienced to accommodate young families with kids, the future of the church.I am now a proud member of one of the largest and fastest growing churches in the country with a clear mission statement and outward focus.

I picked this up after it was recommended to me by a fellow church planter. It has really helped me to analyse and understand aspects of the church that we are in the process of revitalising and to look out for the prospective signs of sickness in the future.Some well researched and relevant work. Not just for American churches but with significant read across into my U.K. context too.

A book that challenges each leader to examine their leadership and also who they lead. Sometimes it is difficult to see signs of approaching death unless we can step back and look from a distance so we see the real big picture. This book certainly encourages this. Well written; well meaning but mostly challenging.

Excellent book it was recommended by my minister and it has been distributed around our congregation to help us grow our church and congregation spiritually and in faith.

Thought provoking and a great aid for churches in today's secular world

Ok. Writer has written what many know. Very simple but probably accurate. As he says. Not anecdotal but based on my experience.