CHURCH TURNAROUND ESSENTIALS: The Decline Of Churches In Our Time

For several years now, much emphasis has been placed on the study of church growth—how to plant, expand, and multiply congregations. This has led to the rise of many vibrant and dynamic assemblies across our cities and nation. However, what has been largely ignored is the study of church decline—what causes churches to backslide, lose their relevance, and eventually die. Yet today, thousands of churches across our land are going through spiritual and structural deterioration.

Sadly, many in the Body of Christ have not fully grasped this reality. Churches that were once strong in spirit and impact have either plateaued or are rapidly declining. If we do not learn from these downfalls, we are bound to repeat the same spiritual errors—and indeed, the Nigerian church has often done so.

1. WHAT IS CHURCH DECLINE?

(1 Samuel 4:20–22; Acts 5:36–37)

Church decline is when a congregation loses spiritual fire, impact, growth, and vision. It is a downward drift from revival into religious routine, from fire to form, and from life to lethargy. It can affect individuals, ministries, and entire assemblies.

Church decline takes many forms:

Some churches are empty physically—the people have left.
Others are full in number but empty in spirit—they have lost vitality and presence.
Some are simply existing without influence—they are not growing, not vibrant, not reaching their community.
Such churches may still be active, but spiritually, they are Ichabod—”the glory has departed” (1 Sam. 4:21).

2. BIBLICAL AND MODERN EXAMPLES OF CHURCH DECLINE

(Revelation 2 & 3)

Take the Church in Ephesus as a clear example:

It began in great power and revival (Acts 19:1–20).
Paul gave them deep apostolic teaching and personal oversight (Acts 20:17–21, 28).
He exhorted them strongly in his letter (Ephesians 6:6–10, 18).
But within 30 years, Jesus had to rebuke them in Revelation 2:1–5 for leaving their first love.

The Seven Churches of Asia (Revelation 2–3) reflect this pattern: only one was found faithful. The rest had declined—spiritually, doctrinally, or morally. This shows that churches can begin in power and still fall into decline if they’re not vigilant.

Church growth experts often outline six seasons in a church’s life:

Birth,
Development,
Maturity,
Plateau,
Decline,
and Death.

Even in modern times, the story is the same:

A 50-year-old church with only 50 members.
A church that celebrated its 49th anniversary with only 49 members.
Formerly thriving churches in Europe are now largely empty cathedrals.
A once-flourishing church in Ibadan, Nigeria, with over 10,000 attendees is now abandoned and overgrown with weeds.
A church in Okota, Lagos, that used to host over 10,000 weekly now has fewer than 200 due to leadership scandals.
A mega-church in the U.S. with 15,000 in attendance sold its property after attendance fell below 100.
The Crystal Cathedral of Robert Schuller entered bankruptcy and lost its building.

In many cases, churches reached “maturity” too quickly, but the seeds of decline were already planted within their first 5 to 20 years. It can take decades for a church to die, but the spiritual sickness often begins early.

3. WHAT CAUSES CHURCH DECLINE?

Churches don’t just decline by accident. There are spiritual, practical, and contextual reasons. Most often, it’s not one issue, but a combination of factors.

a. Contextual Challenges

Shifting demographics in the community.
Urban migration or economic decline in towns.
Hostile or unreceptive environments.

b. Poor Leadership

Where the shepherds are weak, the flock scatters.
Leadership without vision leads to spiritual decay (Proverbs 29:18).

c. Weak Administration

A church needs both anointed leadership and sound management.
Leadership without structure becomes chaotic.
Management without passion becomes lifeless.

Remember: You lead people, but manage things.

d. Ageing Congregation

Churches without youth and young adults will eventually die out.
Relying only on “the old guard” without raising new leaders is dangerous.

e. Inward Focus (Maintenance Mentality)

Many declining churches spend all resources on internal programs, ignoring the Great Commission.
Their community doesn’t even know they exist.

f. Resistance to Change

Change is difficult, but without it, there can be no renewal.
A church without vision will view any change as a threat.

g. Lukewarm Spirituality

In many declining churches, people have lost their first love.
Services are mechanical, prayer is dry, worship is routine.
Traditions have replaced revelation.

h. Demonic Opposition

The devil is always seeking to weaken and destroy churches (1 Peter 5:8).
Spiritual warfare is real. Many churches fall because they underestimate demonic resistance and fail to cover themselves in intercession and holiness.

4. BARRIERS TO CHURCH HEALTH

Here are some specific issues that block the church from becoming healthy and vibrant:

Internal divisions and politics—like civil war in the Body.
Biblical illiteracy—a shallow Word base opens doors to false doctrines.
Run-down facilities—old buildings that reflect spiritual decay.
Frequent leadership changes—pastors being moved too often disrupts vision.
One-man shows—no delegation, no team, only the pastor functions.
Power struggles—elders and boards taking control from the God-ordained leader.
Discouraged members—members no longer proud of their church or pastor.
Doctrinal confusion—theological errors that divide the flock.
No ministry involvement—members’ gifts are unused and discouraged.
Financial mismanagement—lack of integrity in handling church funds.
Scandals and immorality—staining the church’s image.
Departure of key members—loss of future leaders.
Compromise—lowering standards to please the world.
Overbearing denominational control—local branches suffocated by head offices.
Lack of solid Bible teaching—preaching that entertains but doesn’t transform.
No discipleship program—no pathway for spiritual growth.
Prayerlessness—no fire on the altar, no spiritual power.

5. PATHWAYS TO CHURCH RENEWAL

How can a declining church experience revival and renewal? Here are proven keys:

a. Acknowledge the problem

Face the truth. Don’t live in denial. Name the decline.

b. Raise up a strong spiritual leader

The pastor must be anointed, wise, bold, loving, and full of faith. Sometimes, a new shepherd is needed to lead the transformation.

c. Release the past

Forgive, heal, and move forward. Don’t dwell on what was lost.

d. Refocus on the Great Commission

Redefine outreach and target your evangelism to the current community.

e. Equip the saints

Train and mobilize the remnant. Even if few, God can use them greatly.

f. Preach the Word with power
Deliver quality, Spirit-inspired messages that bring conviction and transformation.

g. Build a prayer army

Nothing renews a church like fervent intercession.

h. Unite around vision

Let the pastor and members pursue one purpose, one direction, one heartbeat.

CONCLUSION:

Church decline is not a death sentence. It is a wake-up call to return to our first love, to Spirit-led leadership, to outreach, to holiness, and to the Word and prayer. If we will repent and realign, the Lord of the Church will breathe life into dry bones again (Ezekiel 37:1–14).

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…” —Revelation 2:7