To have an understanding and appreciation for Heritage, its purpose and ministry, for which we are stewards.

2. THE RACE BEFORE US
2015-2016

3. Body Lg - Yellow (C)
Over the past 10 years church attendance
has declined. There are 2.7 million fewer
worshippers in attendance than last year.

4. Body Lg - Yellow (C)
Approximately 4,000 churches close their
doors every year.

5. Body Lg - Yellow (C)
80% of new church plants fail within the
first five years.

6. Body Lg - Yellow (C)
In some areas local governments have
added requirements and restrictions to
make it more difficult for churches to exist.

7. The race is getting
tougher to run!
bad news!

8. “For every house is built by someone, but
He who builds all things is God.”
Hebrews 3:4
good news!

9. “God uses people to carry out His plans
for the church, while orchestrating
cultural trends, stimulating every idea
and decision; distributing grace for every
event or endeavor with outcomes that will
effect a future far too comprehensive for
any of us to understand.”

10. good news!bad news!
The race is
getting tougher
to run!
God builds His
Church, and the
Gates of Hell
won’t prevail
over it.

11. Body Lg - Yellow (C)
Approximately 320,000 American churches
open their doors every Sunday.

12. Body Lg - Yellow (C)
Today, 217 denominations exist in the
United States with over 56 million
Americans attending church every Sunday.

13. Body Lg - Yellow (C)
Generally, churchgoers are more deeply
committed in their attendance and tithing
than 10 years ago.

14. Body Lg - Yellow (C)
Nearly 60% of all American churches have a
membership of less than 100 people.

15. Body Lg - Yellow (C)
Out of 320,000 churches, only 1,250 (.04%)
are considered megachurches with
attendance of over 2000.

16. Body Lg - Yellow (C)
Megachurches attract the smallest
percentage of churchgoers (10%),while the
largest percentage (50%) attend churches
with 100-500 members.

17. conclusions
Believers are more attracted to the cause
of Christ and their community than
popular cultural trends.
Although the race is tougher to run,
those running the race are more deeply
committed to finish well.

18. conclusions
Successful ministries delight themselves
in God’s pleasure more than popularity.

19. What is the goal of our race?
Luke 19:10 Matthew 28:19
John 10:10 Ephesians 4:16
To seek and save
the lost
Life and life
more abundantly
Make disciples
and teach them
Supply, work, edify
itself in love

20. What is the goal of our race?
Luke 19:10 Matthew 28:19
John 10:10 Ephesians 4:16
Evangelism
Relationship
Teaching &
Discipleship
Serving

23. THE RACE BEFORE US
a loving church
a giving church
a teaching church
a worshipping church
a committed church