The pandemic was brutal on churches, but even the year before, the number of Protestant congregations in the U.S. had gone backward by approximately 1,500. The Southern Baptist Convention lost more than 1,000 churches in 2020, 2021 and 2022 each. Although the 2024 ACP survey also reported a loss, it was a significantly lower figure at 292.
Churches arriving at a certain point will either close down, replant or revitalize. The North American Mission Board, in an initiative led by Mark Clifton, offers numerous resources for revitalizing and replanting. That includes a podcast hosted by Clifton called, appropriately enough, “Revitalize and Replant.” Clifton often speaks to leaders on both subjects and the differences between the two.
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