Thinking about numbers: along about the time the CoG was getting started the population of the U.S. was 76 million and if I read the numbers right the CoG now has 1 million members here in the states but now the country has 223 million which means that while the church was building toward 1 million the country grew by 141 million.
This is in no way critical of the church because I know many people who have worked extremely hard to get the church where it is today. Many a car has been wore out by state A B’s and others criss crossing the state and the country tending to the work of the church.
So the question is; is there a better and more efficient way to reach the masses? Are there some hindrances built into the system that slows up the process? It was said of Jesus that ” the common people heard him gladly. ”
Can it be said that of the 34 CoG’s in Bradley county,Tn. that the common people hear them gladly?Just letting numbers sharpen our thinking!
The one million is an international number, how many members are in the U. S.?
The COG membership is akin to the Jehovah Witnesses, internationally
I think the world wide #’s are 5 million
The Church of God, with headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee, United States is a Pentecostal Christian denomination. With over six million members in over 180 countries, it is one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the world -Wikipedia
JWs have a 6 million membership
To gain the numbers that are wanted the Church must become less of a holiness Church and become what the world would like to see them become.
The church must act and dress like the world!
If they are going to reach the gay community they must accept gay behavior.
They need to preach a gospel that is inclusive rather than exclusive.
I believe that the COG will see incredible growth in the future! I am pessimistic about the future.
Rather than focusing on numbers, the church may want to focus on encouraging spiritual growth. It is the love of Christ, enacted through us, that turns the world about, towards Christianity. Charles, you may be right that to achieve immediate gains in numbers the church needs to conform to the world, however, this sort of growth is toxic. Perseverance in love, spiritual gifts, correct teaching etc. (with necessary refinements of course) will create a steadfast true church that surpasses generations. The numbers will increase over a longer span of time, and will remain steadier due to the spiritual cause of the growth (rather than an entertainment driven cause, for example). Just an idea
(if you look at the Catholic church, they are the largest denomination and the one experiencing the most growth worldwide. This may be happening because of their widespread mission work, and their general steadfastness/tradition)
true: “to achieve immediate gains in numbers the church needs to conform to the world, however, this sort of growth is toxic.”