Churches must return to discipleship, evangelism, pastor says

The American church has a long and influential history. For generations, churches were a central part of American life. In a church-friendly culture, more than 70% of Americans attended weekly services. I remember growing up in the 1970s and 1980s and seeing churches overflowing with people and finances. It felt like nothing could stop us.

But over time, attendance began to decline, and churches struggled to reach new people as easily as before. Fear and frustration set in because, despite our efforts, we could not seem to reverse the trend. Over the past decade, an estimated 40,000 to 100,000 churches have closed, with another 15,000 reportedly at risk this year alone.

So how did we get here? Many blame society and say people simply no longer want to attend church. But the real problem is not society — it is the American church itself. That may be difficult to hear, but it is true.

Jesus never called His disciples to focus on “church people.” There were none. He called them to reach the lost — people who did not yet know they needed salvation. In Mark 1:17, Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of people.”

This is where the American church lost its way. For generations, many churches stopped “fishing for people” and instead relied on attracting believers from other churches through programs and entertainment. Rather than making new disciples, we became skilled at moving existing Christians from one congregation to another.

The question is no longer who to blame, but how to change course. How do we reach the lost again and grow through real conversion and discipleship? It’s possible, but our greatest obstacle is not the devil — it’s ourselves. Will we become true New Testament disciples instead of simply American Christians? That is the question.

Kerry Green

Pastor of Carrollton Assembly of God