Autopsy of a Deceased Church by Thom S. Rainer

The autopsy of a deceased church is not a pretty sight. It is often gruesome and depressing. But it is a necessary process if we are to understand why the church died and what can be done to prevent other churches from dying.

Thom S. Rainer, president and CEO of Church Transformation Group, has performed hundreds of autopsies on churches across the country. In his new book, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Your Church Alive, he shares his findings and offers practical advice for churches that want to avoid the same fate. Rainer begins by stating that there are three types of churches: living, dying, and dead.

He then goes on to say that most churches fall into one of two categories: they are either sick or they are rotting from the inside out.

It’s no secret that churches are struggling. In Thom S. Rainer’s new book, Autopsy of a Deceased Church, he set out to find out why churches are dying and what can be done to revive them. Rainer interviewed over 100 pastors of deceased churches and identified five common themes:

1) the church was inward focused; 2) the church was resistant to change; 3) the church was defined by its programs;

4) the church was controlled by a few people; and 5) the church wasn’t evangelistic. Inward focus is when a church becomes more concerned with meeting its own needs than reaching those outside of its walls.

This often happens when a congregation gets older and they stop trying to reach new people. They become content with doing things the way they’ve always been done and resist any changes that could make them uncomfortable. As a result, their numbers dwindle as members die off or move away without being replaced.

A program-defined church is one that sees its mission as primarily running programs rather than making disciples. These churches tend to be very activity-oriented, but much of that activity isn’t Gospel-centered. It’s easy for people to get involved in all sorts of activities at these churches without ever hearing about Jesus or having their lives transformed by Him.

A controlling spirit can exist in any organization, but it’s especially damaging in a local church where it can stifle spiritual growth and hinder evangelism efforts. When a few people are making all the decisions, it creates an us-versus-them mentality that drives away anyone who doesn’t agree with the status quo. People want to be part of a team where their voices are heard and they feel like they’re making a difference.

When they don’t feel valued, they’ll take their talents elsewhere. And finally, if achurch isn’t evangelistic, it won’t be around for long because evangelism is how we make disciples (Matt 28:19).

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What Inspired You to Write This Book

In 2015, I was living in New York City and working as an English teacher. I had always loved books and writing, but I hadn’t written anything since college. One day, on a whim, I decided to start a blog about books.

It was a way to connect with other book-lovers and talk about the books we were reading. Soon, the blog took on a life of its own. I started interviewing authors, reviewing books, and hosting give-aways.

In 2017, I self-published my first book, A Year of Living Vicariously: Book Club Edition. It was a collection of essays about my experiences with different book clubs around the city. People seemed to really enjoy the book and it did well enough that I decided to quit my day job and write full-time.

In 2018, I published my second book, The Reading Life: Essays on Literacy, Libraries, and Love. And now here we are in 2019 with my third book What We Read When We Read Jane Austen: A Treasury of Quotes for Fans of Pride & Prejudice & Emma & More! I never would have guessed that starting a little blog would lead me down this path, but I’m so grateful it did.

Writing has become such an important part of my life and I can’t imagine doing anything else!

Why Do You Think Churches Die

Churches die for many reasons. Some churches close because of a decline in membership, while others may close due to financial difficulties. Sometimes, churches close because their congregation has moved away or the community around them has changed.

There are a number of factors that can lead to a church’s demise. A declining congregation is often one of the first signs that a church is in trouble. If people are not attending services regularly, it can be difficult for the church to maintain its operations.

Financial difficulties can also be a sign that a church is struggling. If the church is not bringing in enough money to cover its expenses, it may have to make cuts or eventually close its doors. Changes in the community can also lead to churches closing.

If the population in an area changes or moves away, it can impact a church’s attendance and financial stability. Churches that are located in rural areas may suffer as families move to cities for work or other opportunities. Additionally, if the values of the community change, it could affect how people view religion and attendance at religious institutions.

What are Some of the Key Signs That a Church is in Trouble

There are a few key signs that may indicate a church is in trouble. First, declining attendance can be an indication that something is wrong. If people are no longer coming to worship services or other church events, it could be a sign that they are unhappy with the direction of the church.

Additionally, if giving is down, it could be another sign that members are not as invested in the church as they once were. Another key sign that a church is in trouble is division among the congregation. If there is infighting and disagreement over important issues, it can signal that the church is struggling to maintain unity.

Finally, if the leadership of the church is constantly changing or there is high turnover, it can be an indication that something isn’t working well. If you see any of these signs at your church, it’s important to talk to your pastor or other leaders to see what might be going on and how you can help support your church through tough times.

What Can Be Done to Revive a Dying Church

There are a number of things that can be done to revive a dying church. Some churches may require more drastic measures than others, but all churches can benefit from taking a good, hard look at themselves and making some necessary changes. One of the first things that needs to be done is to take an honest assessment of the situation.

Why is the church struggling? What factors have contributed to its decline? Once these reasons are identified, they can be addressed.

It may be necessary to make some changes to the way the church is run. For example, if attendance has been declining for years, it might be time to re-evaluate the worship service. Is it too long?

Too boring? Are the sermons relevant and interesting? Making small changes like this can help revive interest in the church.

It’s also important to reach out to those who have left the church and try to understand why they left. Was it something specific that drove them away, or was it a general feeling of disconnection? Once again, once these reasons are known, they can be addressed.

It may not be possible to win back everyone who’s left, but it’s worth trying. Finally, it’s important to remember that revival takes time and effort. It won’t happen overnight – but with patience, perseverance, and God’s help, it is possible for even the most struggling churches to turn things around and thrive once again.

Are There Any Case Studies Or Real-Life Examples in the Book

Yes, the book does contain several case studies and real-life examples. These are used to illustrate the various concepts and principles that the author is discussing.

'Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive' by Thom S. Rainer

Conclusion

It’s no secret that churches across America are struggling. In his blog post, Thom S. Rainer attempts to autopsy a deceased church in order to better understand what went wrong. Rainer begins by noting that the first signs of trouble are usually a decline in attendance and giving.

Other warning signs include a lack of passion or excitement among the congregation, an increase in conflict, and a decrease in evangelism and discipleship. So what killed this particular church? Rainer lists several possible causes: a failure to reach new people, a focus on maintaining the status quo instead of reaching people for Christ, poor leadership, and a general decline in spiritual vitality.

Ultimately, the death of this church was likely due to a combination of all of these factors. But there is hope! By understanding what went wrong, we can learn from our mistakes and work towards revitalizing our churches.