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Where Have All the Church Members Gone?: How to Avoid the Five Traps That Silently Kill Churches
A church leadership fable about how to combat the silent killer of churches.
Oliver, lead pastor of Connection Church, couldn’t put his finger on why he felt so unsettled. Everything seemed to be going right at Connection ― that was until he asked a task force what had happened to one church Jill. Oliver couldn’t have known how his one simple question could lead to an unraveling of what was really happening within the church.
In this book, respected church consultant, founder and CEO of Church Answers, and author of several church leadership books, Thom S. Rainer, shows how the trend of low church attendance is slowly undermining churches and sending many to the grave. With this leadership parable, Thom illustrates the five key dysfunctions that plague congregations and block healthy church growth. He demonstrates why church leaders need to pay more attention to core issues like unbelief, membership, and dedication to evangelism.
Where Have All the Church Members Gone? will give you hope. The book will give you a plan on how to identify dysfunction and put your church on a path to renewal.
Oliver, lead pastor of Connection Church, couldn’t put his finger on why he felt so unsettled. Everything seemed to be going right at Connection ― that was until he asked a task force what had happened to one church Jill. Oliver couldn’t have known how his one simple question could lead to an unraveling of what was really happening within the church.
In this book, respected church consultant, founder and CEO of Church Answers, and author of several church leadership books, Thom S. Rainer, shows how the trend of low church attendance is slowly undermining churches and sending many to the grave. With this leadership parable, Thom illustrates the five key dysfunctions that plague congregations and block healthy church growth. He demonstrates why church leaders need to pay more attention to core issues like unbelief, membership, and dedication to evangelism.
Where Have All the Church Members Gone? will give you hope. The book will give you a plan on how to identify dysfunction and put your church on a path to renewal.
144 pages, Hardcover
Published August 6, 2024
7 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Thom S. Rainer
132 books139 followersThom S. Rainer is the founder and CEO of Church Answers and Executive Director of Revitalize Network. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama where he received his degree in business administration. He received both the master of divinity and the Ph.D. degrees from Southern Seminary.
Dr. Rainer has served as pastor of four churches. He is the former president of Rainer
Group consulting. He served for twelve years as dean at Southern Seminary and for thirteen years as the president and CEO of LifeWay Çhristian Resources.
Dr. Rainer has authored or co-authored 33 books. Among his greatest joys are his family: his wife Nellie Jo; three sons, Sam, Art, and Jess; and eleven grandchildren.
Dr. Rainer has served as pastor of four churches. He is the former president of Rainer
Group consulting. He served for twelve years as dean at Southern Seminary and for thirteen years as the president and CEO of LifeWay Çhristian Resources.
Dr. Rainer has authored or co-authored 33 books. Among his greatest joys are his family: his wife Nellie Jo; three sons, Sam, Art, and Jess; and eleven grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 22, 2024
While short, the book was insightful and gave me quite a lot to think about. This book is a little different from Rainier’s others since it has a little fictional story depicting a pastor realizing that his church is declining and putting together a task force to decide what to do about it.
The little allegorical story made it much easier to absorb his points and it didn’t really feel like I was reading nonfiction.
At less than 150 pages, this book is quite short, but it definitely packs a punch! I will be thinking about the points he raised for quite a while.
The little allegorical story made it much easier to absorb his points and it didn’t really feel like I was reading nonfiction.
At less than 150 pages, this book is quite short, but it definitely packs a punch! I will be thinking about the points he raised for quite a while.
December 21, 2024
Having read Simple church by Thom excited about this book. It was a good book that covers 5 pitfalls of churches. They were good to learn about.
My only critique is the answer to most of them was “to tell the congregation” “run a new members class where we tell people our expectations” or “that sounds like a good sermons series to educate people.”
Nowhere in this book did they talk about the importance of indivisible church members reading the Bible themselves. With attendance down, and church buy in low, preaching does little to change people’s lives. What changes lives is discipleship AND seeing Christ modelled by people - not preached at by a pastor.
All in all a good read, I just think that “telling” and “preaching” and “sermons series” do little to challenge / change people. For example tithing; many churches do a tithe message every week - yet most the church don’t tithe. So it shows that preaching about it doesn’t work.
Preaching has its place, but often if it is our go to for every church problem then we have a problem.
My only critique is the answer to most of them was “to tell the congregation” “run a new members class where we tell people our expectations” or “that sounds like a good sermons series to educate people.”
Nowhere in this book did they talk about the importance of indivisible church members reading the Bible themselves. With attendance down, and church buy in low, preaching does little to change people’s lives. What changes lives is discipleship AND seeing Christ modelled by people - not preached at by a pastor.
All in all a good read, I just think that “telling” and “preaching” and “sermons series” do little to challenge / change people. For example tithing; many churches do a tithe message every week - yet most the church don’t tithe. So it shows that preaching about it doesn’t work.
Preaching has its place, but often if it is our go to for every church problem then we have a problem.
December 3, 2024
Narrative was okay. Made it longer than needed. Could skip to last chapter and get 99% of the value of the book. Occasionally feels like an ad for his consulting firm.
July 1, 2024
Well for my church I can relate to the 5 “traps” he identified. This also means I have work to do and the church has work to do.
Eye opening and I encourage all Christians to read this.
Eye opening and I encourage all Christians to read this.
July 7, 2024
Where Have All the Church Members Gone? is a book that aims to equip Christians with an antidote to the decline in church attendance. With worship attendance declining thirty-two percent each year, this book is a call to action, not just to pastors, but to any congregant who has a vested interest in seeing the Christian church thrive.
The book is told in a fictionalized narrative form, centered around an upper-middle class church in North Carolina. As the church struggles to maintain attendance on Sunday mornings, a task force is formed to uncover where all the church members have gone. The task force members range from a faithful elder to a troublesome naysayer. This creates a little drama as the church tries to turn the tides, but more importantly, brings to light some of the challenges that come with implementing change. What develops through this story is an understanding of five key traps that slowly lead to declines in church attendance.
I have noticed a tendency for some churches to seek membership and involvement by providing higher levels of entertainment. Larger screens and flashier services are not the solutions that Rainer provides. In fact it is quite the opposite. Rather than seeking to be conformed to the pattern of this world, Rainer leans into what a church should be: knowledgeable about the Word, expressing faith through ministry, becoming better disciples, and evangelizing. He expects more out of the church's members and believes this will help support better church growth.
As a longtime Church member, this book convicted me in areas where I can see myself better ministering to the body of Christ. I also found enjoyment in reading the story, which has just enough character development to make this approach work, while still being short and dense in terms of providing meaningful thoughts about how to approach building up a church. Church leaders may find even greater benefit as the book outlines very specific ways in which a church may self-assess its current state to make a plan for further growth.
My overall impression was very positive as it gives both church members and individual church leaders concrete ways in which they can reflect and further grow. I think the telling of a story was also a great approach and for those who want the "too long, didn't read" version, a final chapter summarizes the key points of the story with additional insight in where to go next. I would call the book more practical than it is spiritual. So any specific guidance would want to be balanced with where the church leaders feel the Lord is guiding them.
Thank you NetGalley and Tyndale House for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The book is told in a fictionalized narrative form, centered around an upper-middle class church in North Carolina. As the church struggles to maintain attendance on Sunday mornings, a task force is formed to uncover where all the church members have gone. The task force members range from a faithful elder to a troublesome naysayer. This creates a little drama as the church tries to turn the tides, but more importantly, brings to light some of the challenges that come with implementing change. What develops through this story is an understanding of five key traps that slowly lead to declines in church attendance.
I have noticed a tendency for some churches to seek membership and involvement by providing higher levels of entertainment. Larger screens and flashier services are not the solutions that Rainer provides. In fact it is quite the opposite. Rather than seeking to be conformed to the pattern of this world, Rainer leans into what a church should be: knowledgeable about the Word, expressing faith through ministry, becoming better disciples, and evangelizing. He expects more out of the church's members and believes this will help support better church growth.
As a longtime Church member, this book convicted me in areas where I can see myself better ministering to the body of Christ. I also found enjoyment in reading the story, which has just enough character development to make this approach work, while still being short and dense in terms of providing meaningful thoughts about how to approach building up a church. Church leaders may find even greater benefit as the book outlines very specific ways in which a church may self-assess its current state to make a plan for further growth.
My overall impression was very positive as it gives both church members and individual church leaders concrete ways in which they can reflect and further grow. I think the telling of a story was also a great approach and for those who want the "too long, didn't read" version, a final chapter summarizes the key points of the story with additional insight in where to go next. I would call the book more practical than it is spiritual. So any specific guidance would want to be balanced with where the church leaders feel the Lord is guiding them.
Thank you NetGalley and Tyndale House for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
July 7, 2024
In a pre-Covid world, I worked at a church. It was then I became accustomed with Thom Rainer, particularly with his podcast, which I very much enjoyed. The moment I saw one of his books on Netgalley I knew I had to request it, and lucky me, I actually got it!
This brief, but illuminating book offers insight Rainer is known for if you’re familiar with his other works. In Where Have All the Church Members Gone, Rainer lists five traps churches fall into which, if not dealt with, can lead to a dying church. He utilizes a storytelling technique to resonate with the reader on an emotional level while conveying information in an interesting manner. Dickens it is not, but it was far more enjoyable than having facts and case studies laid before me. Rainer is repetitious at times, but this only solidifies the information in the readers mind. I often found myself smiling because some of his characters reminded me of beloved church family members, or nodding because a scenario hit a little too close to home. I particularly appreciated Rainer’s mentions of spiritual warfare, being steadfast in prayer, and his focus on Biblical obedience: if we as the church are obedient to God then He will provide a way for us.
I read Where Have All the Church Members Gone in two days, although most could read it in one, (I was constantly being interrupted by children.) and I’d recommend this book to anyone in church leadership. Where Have All the Church Members Gone? is set to be published August 6, 2024. Thank you again to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.
This brief, but illuminating book offers insight Rainer is known for if you’re familiar with his other works. In Where Have All the Church Members Gone, Rainer lists five traps churches fall into which, if not dealt with, can lead to a dying church. He utilizes a storytelling technique to resonate with the reader on an emotional level while conveying information in an interesting manner. Dickens it is not, but it was far more enjoyable than having facts and case studies laid before me. Rainer is repetitious at times, but this only solidifies the information in the readers mind. I often found myself smiling because some of his characters reminded me of beloved church family members, or nodding because a scenario hit a little too close to home. I particularly appreciated Rainer’s mentions of spiritual warfare, being steadfast in prayer, and his focus on Biblical obedience: if we as the church are obedient to God then He will provide a way for us.
I read Where Have All the Church Members Gone in two days, although most could read it in one, (I was constantly being interrupted by children.) and I’d recommend this book to anyone in church leadership. Where Have All the Church Members Gone? is set to be published August 6, 2024. Thank you again to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.
September 24, 2024
Good fundamentals on church renewal
As a pastor who has implemented or tried to, I see all the familiar aspects, this book certainly helps identity and deal with these circumstances. There's been a lot of weak willed pastors min the church for decades who have left a lot of messes to put back together. There needs to be genuine pastors with courage to step up and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to reestablish Christ's church
As a pastor who has implemented or tried to, I see all the familiar aspects, this book certainly helps identity and deal with these circumstances. There's been a lot of weak willed pastors min the church for decades who have left a lot of messes to put back together. There needs to be genuine pastors with courage to step up and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to reestablish Christ's church
August 12, 2024
This book was very helpful on a lot of fronts, although I did fear that at the beginning it was just an advertisement couched in a fable. But as it went on I could see a lot of parallels that can happen a lot of churches. Each of these are addressed well.
October 8, 2024
EXCELLENT READ
Very challenging book that deals with why churches are silently dying. The storyline is excellent and the thoughts given at the end of the book are very helpful as well.
Very challenging book that deals with why churches are silently dying. The storyline is excellent and the thoughts given at the end of the book are very helpful as well.
June 11, 2024
Thankfully this book is short! I was intrigued and hopeful about its content but it became an infomercial of sorts for the program of which the author is CEO. That was very disappointing.
December 26, 2025
Clear Structure, but a High-Effort Model
This book offers a direct, pull-no-punches look at why local churches often stagnate. The author argues that most "dying" churches fall into five specific traps:
1. Biblical Illiteracy: Members don’t know or believe the Bible because it isn't being taught.
2. The "Low Bar": Expectations for members are either too low or never clearly stated.
3. Misunderstanding Membership: People don't grasp the biblical commitment required.
4. Lack of Evangelism: Failing to reach out to non-Christians.
5. Activity vs. Discipleship: Being "busy" with events rather than growing as followers of Jesus.
To counter these, the book proposes a foundational four-word strategy (Believe, Belong, Give, Go) to be implemented through a mandatory new members' class.
The 5 "Work-Based" Solutions:
• Mandatory Education: Every new member must pass a class to establish expectations.
• Doctrinal Affirmation: Members must explicitly affirm essential Christian beliefs.
• High-Accountability Attendance: Constant regular worship and community group participation are required.
• Service & Financial Quotas: Expected involvement in at least one ministry and regular financial giving.
• Evangelism Requirements: A mandate to participate in community outreach at least once a year.
Critique:
While the framework is organized, the rating is lowered because the book relies heavily on a "more effort, more work" mentality. It assumes that the solution to church decline is simply raising the bar and demanding more from the congregation. Furthermore, it doesn't quite address the modern secular mindset—the "why" that would motivate a person in today's world to take on these heavy responsibilities in the first place. It is a solid manual for internal restructuring, but it may struggle to bridge the gap with those outside the traditional church sphere.
This book offers a direct, pull-no-punches look at why local churches often stagnate. The author argues that most "dying" churches fall into five specific traps:
1. Biblical Illiteracy: Members don’t know or believe the Bible because it isn't being taught.
2. The "Low Bar": Expectations for members are either too low or never clearly stated.
3. Misunderstanding Membership: People don't grasp the biblical commitment required.
4. Lack of Evangelism: Failing to reach out to non-Christians.
5. Activity vs. Discipleship: Being "busy" with events rather than growing as followers of Jesus.
To counter these, the book proposes a foundational four-word strategy (Believe, Belong, Give, Go) to be implemented through a mandatory new members' class.
The 5 "Work-Based" Solutions:
• Mandatory Education: Every new member must pass a class to establish expectations.
• Doctrinal Affirmation: Members must explicitly affirm essential Christian beliefs.
• High-Accountability Attendance: Constant regular worship and community group participation are required.
• Service & Financial Quotas: Expected involvement in at least one ministry and regular financial giving.
• Evangelism Requirements: A mandate to participate in community outreach at least once a year.
Critique:
While the framework is organized, the rating is lowered because the book relies heavily on a "more effort, more work" mentality. It assumes that the solution to church decline is simply raising the bar and demanding more from the congregation. Furthermore, it doesn't quite address the modern secular mindset—the "why" that would motivate a person in today's world to take on these heavy responsibilities in the first place. It is a solid manual for internal restructuring, but it may struggle to bridge the gap with those outside the traditional church sphere.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews