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

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

Review

Grace Amid Genocide

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

News

Pro-Life Democrats Dwindle in Congress

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.

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

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

Review

The Trinity and the Cross, and Why It Matters

Review

God on the Streets of Gotham

Steven Greydanus

Review

Debating Same-Sex Marriage

Wilson's Bookmarks

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

An image of Charlie Kirk.

Public Theology Project

When Violence Is the Vibe

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death, if we bite and devour each other, we will be consumed by each other.

Ashley Hales Books episode

The Russell Moore Show

Books about Digital Resistance with Ashley Hales: Wendell Berry, Jan Karon, Jon Haidt, David Zahl, and More

Another quarterly conversation on books with Christianity Today’s Print Editor, Ashley Hales, on the subject of resisting the digital era

Bible study and fellowship at Sunil and Gladlyn's home.

How Indian Christian Families are Tackling Gen Z Loneliness

Divya Chirayath

Couples involved in student ministries are welcoming young people into their homes and lives.

News

Texas Student Ministry Sues over Law Cutting Off Free Speech at 10 p.m.

Phoebe S. Gibson

In honor of Charlie Kirk, lawmakers will meet to reevaluate campus discourse, including new state regulations.

Mockup of Exploring the Financial Parables of Jesus: The Economy of Grace and the Generosity of God book on a green background

Review

Jesus Uses Money to Diagnose Our Spiritual Bankruptcy

Michael J. Rhodes

A new book immerses us in the strange, subversive logic of his financial parables.

‘Make the Truth Interesting to Hear, Even Enjoyable’

Interview by Divya Chirayath

Robert Clements doesn’t shy away from his Christian faith in his newspaper column. Yet Indian readers keep coming back for more.

A crucifixion image with pieces mixed up.

The Way We Debate Atonement Is a Mess

A case study in how Christians talk about theology, featuring a recent dustup over penal substitutionary atonement.

The Bulletin

Kilmeade’s Comments, Rubio Visits Israel, and the Trump Revolution

Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll

Episode 208