Why the ‘Active Decline’ in US Church Attendance Is ‘Urgent,’ but Not Without Hope

Why do we view the decline in church attendance sobering and the return to church hopeful? This idea is rooted in the very core of the problem with church today. Too many pastors, as well as the churches they serve, view success of ministry in the numbers they create. If they are overflowing, they are successful, if people are leaving, something must be wrong with the church. Where is any of this rooted in Scripture? Where is hope rooted in the number of church attenders? If this is our view, than the logical conclusion is that God is sitting on His throne in utter dismay and trembling at the dechurching of His people. We would say that is ridiculous, but somehow we struggle with it here.