Why aren’t we growing?

Introduction

1.   Matthew 13

a.   Parable of the Sower – still need proper soil

b.   Parable of Wheat and Tares = add weeds to the field

2.   Seed is the same (Word of God); Sower is the same (us)

Stuff We Cannot Change

1.   Culture – mindset, thinking, attitudes, interest in religion
 

2.   Economics – where the jobs are
 

3.   Education – where the schools are
 

4.   Location – size of city / county
 

5.   Pandemic – or other situations (flood, tornado, wild fire)
 

6.   Age – we all are getting older and less active
 

7.   Death – churches decline when there is a death
 

8.   Church shoppers – Some just keep moving to greener pastures
 

9.   Fall away – worldly, moral issues, lose interest, weak faith

From outline by Lynn Tharpe