Not All Protestant Denominations Are Declining.

The Amercian Bapitst Churches of the West, 220 congregations in Northern California and Northwest Nevada have gone from twenty percent of their congregations growing to over seventy percent since 1997.

(PRWEB) November 5, 2003 --Not All Protestant Denominations Are Declining. The American Baptist Churches of the West, 220 congregations in Northern California and Northwest Nevada is experiencing major renewal. This region, one of thirty-five American Baptist Churches-USA regions, prior to 1997 had less than twenty percent of its congregations growing. Most were small, aging, and declining in people and missions dollars. That world has changed. Since 1997 over seventy percent of the congregations are growing. Average worship attendance is up from 30,000 to over 41,000. Average attendance per congregation has increased from 100 people to 188. Mission giving is up twenty-five percent and between $1.1-1.5 million new dollars have been raised. A focus on mission, vision, leadership and intentional change strategies has created a new climate of hope and growth.

In "Hit the Bullseye" a book recently published by Abingdon Press, Dr. Paul Borden, Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of the West, both tells the story of change and develops the principles, strategies, and tactics behind the change process. He describes how denominational leaders, pastors, and congregations became accountable for change and growth. Pastors have ceased being chaplains and become leaders. A mission and vision led organization has replaced an institutional bureaucracy. Inept traditional organization structures have been discarded and new behaviors adopted that demand accountability and allow risk.

Many smaller congregations have doubled or tripled in worship attendance. Some larger congregations have more than doubled and now average over two thousand in worship each week. Congregations are once again influencing community life. Local churches are finding the resources to serve towns, counties, and cities, as well as fund overseas missions efforts. Most congregations realize they exist primarily for those yet to attend rather than for themselves.

Mainline Protestant denominations are declining in people and dollars. The experience of the American Baptist Churches of the West is just the opposite. Its leaders have decided to think and act differently. The results are growth in resources and a vision to serve more people.

The American Baptist Churches of the West is a 501C3 organization. It is one of the thirty five regions affiliated with the American Baptist Churches-USA.
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Region Administrator: Pam Breen
American Baptist Churches of the West
2420 Camino Ramon, Suite 140
San Ramon, California 94583
925-277-3980
www.ABCW.org