We have a great case study to demonstrate the good news and hope. Tenth & Broad Church of Christ experienced a ten-year decline, has been located in a changing community for nearly a decade, and had lost most of their growth potential when they lost their young adults. They became the typical example found today of a declining church. Tenth & Broad, once a vibrant church, became an aging congregation in a declining neighborhood with little appeal to attract young adult new members.

Their case study, presented in the first article, highlights many of the vital steps taken that turned around their decline. And within the following two years they grew over 15% in attendance. Every choice discussed by Larry Suttle Reversing Ten Years of Decline: A Case Study and John Knox Reversing Ten Years of Decline: Church Growth Analysis represents crucial issues for consideration by all churches. In addition, the following observations about their efforts are worth further evaluation as you read their case history.

1. Team Effort

The transition from decline to growth requires that someone take responsibility. Working together, elders and staff form a team with the greatest potential for setting the future direction of the church. Tenth & Broad has just such a close working team of spiritual-minded elders and staff. Far too often elders and staff become trapped in adversarial roles to the detriment of the church. Neither group alone has the ability to influence the church's future direction.

Carefully observe every attitude and choice of the Tenth & Broad leadership team. Each person demonstrated a commitment to carrying out the Great Commission. Both staff and elders were willing to get advanced ministry training and education to be effective in their roles as leaders. In other words, they were willing to pay the price to become a prepared team, and willing to be proactive and take responsibility.

2. Through Analysis

Moving forward to an inspiring future requires an accurate understanding of where a church is and how it got there. Some churches are comfortable with their own skills to analyze their condition while others feel the need for outside help. Either way, moving from decline to growth begins by understanding present community and congregational conditions. Also, an evaluation should uncover the missing elements for future growth.

Today there is a growing attitude that "change" is a dirty word. Certainly, not all change is good. If a church is stagnant or declining, however, it becomes obvious to most that some type of change is required to reverse a non-growth trend. A reversal can only begin after the membership recognizes their condition and accepts the need for biblically sound change. From this point a church can renew a vision for the future. But it all begins with a thorough analysis.

3. Congregational Support

From a study of growing and declining Churches of Christ, the Center discovered that growing churches are more successful at reaching young adults. On the other hand, it is the older and tenured members that provide stability, finances, and wisdom for a congregation. So, change and growth depend heavily on their support. Tenth & Broad wisely took the time and effort to communicate the reasons for needed change before implementation. Every leadership team should learn this lesson.

4. Outreach Oriented

Tenth & Broad made a monumental transition from an inward focus to an outward focus toward visitors and potential new members. No effort was spared including modernizing their deteriorating facilities. Also, with the support of their older members, they added necessary additional staff to lead ministries for young adults. These and other growth changes helped reverse a long period of decline, by reaching out to young adults, and they became a growing and more balanced membership in age.

Their case study offers hope to other congregations that will plant and water because God is still giving the increase. For a detailed analysis of growing and declining churches I recommend the Center's recent publication, Clear Choices for Churches.