Why Denomination Matters to Church Growth

A recent study suggests orthodoxy doesn’t draw church crowds on its own.

Why Denomination Matters to Church Growth

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This article appeared in the June, 2012 issue of Christianity Today as "Mainline Conservatives' Dilemma".

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

June

Christianity Today June, 2012

Cover Story

When Are We Going to Grow Up? The Juvenilization of American Christianity

Thomas E. Bergler

Cover Story

By Grace You Are Mature

David Zahl

Childlike Faith: Are Kids Born with Belief?

Interview by Holly Catterton Allen

The Resurrection: A Bridge Between Two Worlds

Alister McGrath

Review

Holy Ground: Why This Land Is God's Land

Jake Meador

Review

Grace Amid Genocide

Tim Stafford

My Top 5 Books On Patriotism

David Gushee, director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at Mercer University

News

Nonprofits, the Bible, and Jesus

Compiled by Ted Olsen

In on the Joke of the Bible

Timothy George on the Reformers' Postmodern Moment

Interview by David Neff

Editorial

Why Catholics and Evangelicals Can Be United Against Nihilism

A Christianity Today Editorial

The Art of Loving Your Neighbor

Matt Branaugh

News

Pro-Life Democrats Dwindle in Congress

Tobin Grant

Should Churches Abandon Travel-Intensive Short-Term Missions in Favor of Local Projects?

Brian M. Howell, David Livermore, and Robert J. Priest

News

Should Denominations Be Organized Geographically?

Compiled by Ruth Moon

Excerpt

Learning from My Father: Lessons on Life and Faith

David Lawther Johnson

When Dad Is in Prison

G. Jeffrey MacDonald in New Orleans

Ponce de León on Steroids

The Social Network Gospel

Robert C. Crosby

Apps to the Future: The New Social Network Engagers

Robert C. Crosby

The Rise of Digital Urban Tribes

News

Book Buyer Beware? It's Christian Fiction.

Ken Walker

Charles Colson & Timothy George: Churchless Jesus

Chuck Colson & Timothy George

News

Fury Over Mission School Fees

Sunday Oguntola in Lagos

Review

Kin: Songs by Mary Karr & Rodney Crowell

Josh Hurst

News

Liberia: Getting Back to the Founding Faith

George Stewart in Monrovia

Review

For Greater Glory

Steven D. Greydanus

News

The Fight for Egypt's Future

Jeremy Weber in Cairo

Letters to the Editor

Evangelicalism's Youthful Romance

News

Passages

Tobin Grant

Review

The Trinity and the Cross, and Why It Matters

Jeff Haanen

Review

God on the Streets of Gotham

Steven Greydanus

Review

Debating Same-Sex Marriage

Matt Reynolds

Wilson's Bookmarks

John Wilson

News

Quotation Marks

Compiled by Ted Olsen

News

Christians Face Forced Exodus, Missionary Wins 'Rare' Settlement, Churches Want Fewer Cash Offerings, and More

Remembering Charles Colson, a Man Transformed

Jonathan Aitken

Our Latest

Excerpt

Timothy Keller: Sin Is the Strongest Argument for Faith

Tim Keller

Scripture’s take on human nature helps us cope with evil. It also gives us reason to believe.

The book cover on a green background.

More Than a City On a Hill

Philip Jenkins

Religion in the Lands that Became America moves readers away from religious exceptionalism.

Marjorie Taylor Green giving a speech and pointing with both pointer fingers.

The Bulletin

Marjorie Taylor Greene, Communion at the White House, and Charlotte ICE Raids

Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll

Marjorie Taylor Greene splits with Trump, former Bethel leader hosts communion in DC, and ICE makes arrests in Charlotte.

Displaced Sudanese Christians meeting for prayer.

News

The World’s Largest Displacement Crisis

Emmanuel Nwachukwu

A pastor in North Darfur recounts the Sudanese paramilitary group’s attack on his church.

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A Political Scientist Contemplates God

Noah C. Gould

Charles Murray is ready to take religion seriously. He thinks we should too.

The numbers 6 and 7 with a Bible.

6-7 in the Bible

Kristy Etheridge

A scriptural nod to Gen Alpha’s favorite not-so-inside joke.‌

How He Leaves

Interview by Kelsey Kramer McGinnis

After his final tour, independent musician John Mark McMillan is backing out of the algorithm rat race but still chasing transcendence.

Michael Iskander in House of David Season 2.

Review

Review: ‘House of David’ Season 2

Peter T. Chattaway

The swordfights and staring lovers start to feel like padding. Then, all at once, the show speeds up.‌