As High As 450... that's the number of churches in Macon, more per capita than any city in the South and by some accounts more than any city in the US. With all of those churches it would seem that Macon must be the most churched city in the US, but it is far from it. This Sunday and estimated 75% of Macon's population will sleep in.If Macon statistics are similar to National statistics:
* 80% of those 450 churches have plateaued or are declining,
* "growing" established churches receive 80-90% of their new people as transfers from an existing church,
* 80% of those 450 churches have plateaued or are declining,
* "growing" established churches receive 80-90% of their new people as transfers from an existing church,
* and the percentage of those claiming to be Christian will continue to decline (87% in 1990, 76% 2008).
Sadly, I once read that 95% of existing churches are unable to change their DNA. This means that they are unable to change methodologies and styles (not theology) in order to meet the challenges and changes of our world.
That's why New City Church plants churches... even in a city with more churches per capita than any city in the South, and thats why we will plant more... to engage a changing culture with the unchanging Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you want to plant with us, email me - keith@newcitydowntown.org and join us this Saturday at our first Church Planters Roundtable.
