Schaeffer Research

Thinking and Providing Biblical and Grace Centered Theological Resources for the Church

One of our main current tasks at FASICLD is research, using Schaeffer's ideas as well as researching his materials, for the purpose to make insights and application for church leaders and pastors to help lead the church into a better more biblical direction.

It is not so much how we do things; it is how we are!
 
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Recent Research Findings

Statistics on Why Churches Fail

Are you willing to take an honest look at some of the reasons why people are not coming to your church? Over one thousand one hundred three (1,103) churches surveyed and tracked for 12-plus years (Some churches were added and some subtracted by closure or missing or unavailable data).
 
Statistics and Reasons for Church Decline
 
What is Going on with the Church in America? True success is being obedient to what God has called us to do and realizing that although we are responsible to serve, we are not responsible for the results. So, what are the marks of a successful church leader?
 
Statistics on Pastors
 
What is Going on with the Pastors in America? Here are some startling statistics on pastors; we have found that pastors are in the single most stressful and frustrating working profession!
 
Church Growth Research Graphs and Statistics
 
We compared over 1,110 churches for 15 years to what constitutes a healthy church from our other research.
 
Articles Distilled from our Recent Research
 
Why Churches Fail: Part I
 
The problems of Church can be solved and used for His glory! The LORD is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Why Churches Fail: Part II

Are you crying out to God asking why things are not going right in your church? Dealing with apathy and ineptitude? Is your church on the path of self-destruction and ineffectiveness? Are people lining up for war in various factions and sides while conflict and discontent are running amok? Are some people gossiping while others are being ignored? Is Christ outside knocking on your door, but not getting in? Instead, have you replaced Him with what you think is relevance and attractiveness to the Gospel but in fact,

Why Churches Succeed

Out of learning why churches fail, we also learned why they succeeded. The churches that were healthy, growing spiritually, and socially vibrant have significant aspects that set them apart from the failing churches. These factors are displayed in order of relevance and importance. Each one of these factors creates a harmony, contentment, and atmosphere for a churchgoer to come to church services and fellowship, and then to invite others.

More Articles Distilled from our other Research

Learning to Focus on Christ

How do you know if Christ is your focus? Look at your life. Do you confess God with your lips yet deny Him in your daily life? It is easy to belong to a church or recite a creed, but difficult to live the Christian life. Yet, He gives us the love, grace, and means to do so. How do you define faith? Remember, faith without action is a contradiction, and love without obedience is impossible.

Implementing Hospitality

The quintessential way to grow your Church is to understand and implement Hospitality! Are you a hospitable person? What about with people you do not like? You may not have to invite them into your home, but how do you treat them? How do you treat people at church? Really, how do you? Most people in any given church would say they are not treated well as far as feeling welcomed or connected! Yes, our church is different, and perhaps much better than others, but I believe we can be even better for our Lord's glory!

44 Church Growth Principles that are Real and Work!

We all desire to have our churches growing. If not, there is something wrong. Your call and profession might need a review. Growing a church is biblical, and an imperative from our Lord. However, we also need to discover what it means to "grow a church." Most people consider numerical growth, but...

Is Your Church Healthy?

What would your church look like if you took away the pastor(s), the music and worship, the buildings, the favored programs, the sacraments and ceremonies, as well as the events and Sunday School? What would you have left? The answer of what is left is what impacts and what resounds in your church, and is where your church's health lies. Because doing church is not about the pastor, the observances, or the programs. It is about how we...

The Church of Perfidy

What Type of Foundation Does Your Church Have? The foundation of your church will set up the attitude and theme of your church. Thus we need to ask, is our church lined up properly to its foundation? Do you realize that if it is not, your church building will fall off of it? Your church building, if not properly erected on good foundation "footers," will fail and perhaps collapse upon the congregation, literally. In constituting a building-whether it be a church, an office, or a home-it is absolutely essential that...

Heartfelt Devotion

Is heartfelt Devotion working in you? Are you an offering to God (Psalm 1:2; Isa. 26:3)? Has the Christian faith impacted all of you, who you are, your being, as well as what you do?

Church Diseases!

The Most Common Diseases That Infect the Church! A Healthy church needs to develop an immune system to resist disease else the church will get sick and perhaps even die. We do not mean the diseases of viruses, such as whooping cough, but ones that are even more destructive to our soul and future in eternity! It is much more sensible for our physical health to eat right, reduce stress, and exercise to prevent illness and live a longer, better quality life. If we do not, we get sick and miss one too many sick days and are fired from work, or get that one disease that may...

When we are twisting God's truths to fit our whims and rationalizing our sin, it is blatantly evil. It creates a bad "who" and a bad "how we are." Do not allow this in your church! We have to be willing to prevent, discipline, and even kick out the manipulative and deceptive people in our churches.

Our churches will not glorify Christ when we fail at knowing and growing in Him personally. We will not be able to teach others when we fail at following Him and Him alone! Remember, it is His Church; we are the caretakers of it, thus we must act accordingly as we are called.

More research coming soon… for more articles see our Church Leadership  Church Growth Servant Leadership  Pastor's Page channels

It is our VISION, call, and commitment to point the church back onto the path of making disciples. It is our passion and directive to lead Christians away from our false perceptions and into His way.

Because of God's call and Schaeffer's influence, we desire to see a church committed to His purpose and poured out to His ways. Then we will see revival through real prayer and devotion to His Lordship.

The Institute is incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization and depends on gifts and contributions from friends and donors. http://www.truespirituality.org/

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