Why Every Christian Denomination is Dying; Except One
Photo: Hillsong NYC
The Silver Lining
It's sad to say, but most Christian denominations in America are dying. Less and less people are regularly attending church, let alone becoming members of a church or denomination. For example, the Southern Baptist convention, the largest Protestant denomination in America, boasting a membership of over 16 million people, recently had their annual meeting and discussed why they are losing membership every year. Not only that, some denominations are destroying themselves because of their political stances.
That is why I was so baffled when I read an article recently that said despite universal attendance decline among most denominations, there was one denomination that isn't just surviving, it's thriving. It's the only US denomination that grew this past year. It's called the Assemblies of God. In fact, the Pentecostal denomination is growing faster than the US population.
Most importantly, the Assemblies of God (AG) are reaching millennial's (those born between 1980-2000). Millennial's are notoriously the generation least interested in attending church. Millennial's comprised 21 percent of the growth of AG in the past decade. This in and of itself is a triumph worth noting.
The Reasons Why
Why is the Assemblies of God denomination growing so rapidly? How in the world are they successfully reaching Millennials?
Critics may say it's because AG compromises core Christian doctrines. They are attracting large crowds, and young people, because they have compromised the gospel. Unfortunately for critics, the evidence leans to the contrary. AG churches maintain core beliefs consistent with orthodoxy. AG churches teach the Bible and believe in its authority. Sure there may be exceptions, but that does not change the rule.
Other critics may say it's because AG compromises core Christian ethics. They are following pop culture and politics instead of the Word of God. Again, the evidence does not support this assertion. AG churches have always taken a stand against social topics such as abortion and gay marriage. Remember the World Vision fiasco? AG churches were the ones threatening to leave the organization.
So what is the Assemblies of God secret to success? How are they the only denomination growing and reaching young people?
I believe it's because of something I like to call the "Hillsong Effect."
The Hillsong Effect
Hillsong Church was founded in 1983 by Brian and Bobbi Houston. In the early 1990's Hillsong began to release worship albums where they gained worldwide popularity. Since then, Hillsong church has grown to over 30,000 in weekly attendance and 12 sister churches around the world. They continue to sell millions of copies of their worship albums annually; under the names Hillsong Live, Hillsong United, and Hillsong Young & Free.
I had never heard of Hillsong as a church or as a worship team until 2008 when I was in a Christian bookstore and the sales associate recommended Hillsong United's album "I Heart Revolution." I was absolutely blown away by the passionate singers, the beautiful melodies, and the powerful dynamics. I later realized many of the worship songs I've loved over the years, such as Shout to the Lord, were written by Hillsong.
You may be wondering what Hillsong Church has to do with American churches and denominations. Well, here's my theory: I believe Hillsong is the primary reason why the Assemblies of God is the only denomination growing in the United States. You see, in 2012, Carl Lentz and Joel Houston planted the very first Hillsong church in America, in none other than New York City. Lentz is the founding and lead pastor and Joel, the son of Brian Houston and leader of Hillsong United, is one of the associate pastors. The church, only a couple of years old, has grown to over 7,000 in weekly attendance. To absorb such rapid growth, Hillsong NYC offers 7 Sunday services. New York City is a notoriously secular city, so the expansion of Hillsong NYC is nothing short of a miracle. Since the church has been so successful, I theorize that other Pentecostal denominations, like AG, are starting to follow a similar pattern in worship style, and hence the denominations' recent success.
Hillsong's affect on American churches is not limited to the east coast, either. Ben Houston, Brian's youngest son, recently started a Hillsong church in Los Angeles. I had the privilege of witnessing the start of the church and saw over 1,500 people attend the grand opening. The church continues to do extremely well and will continue to do so, indicated by the fact that the last time Hillsong United came to Los Angeles for a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, over 15,000 people attended. Both on the east coast and west coast, it's clear that Hillsong is both well known and well loved.
Which is why the Assemblies of God denomination is the only Christian denomination that grew in the past year. My generation, the Millennial generation, craves passionate worship music. And there is nobody that does it better than Hillsong. Its no coincidence that in the past year, of all the camps and conferences I attended and spoke at that were geared for young people, almost every single song sung was originally written by Hillsong.
Pastors, leaders, and future church planters, I have one piece of advice if you want to see your church or denomination grow: don't be afraid to worship God with passion, innovation, and creativity. The proof is in the pudding. God is seeking those to worship Him in spirit and in truth.
So what is the Assemblies of God secret to success? How are they the only denomination growing and reaching young people?
I believe it's because of something I like to call the "Hillsong Effect."
The Hillsong Effect
Hillsong Church was founded in 1983 by Brian and Bobbi Houston. In the early 1990's Hillsong began to release worship albums where they gained worldwide popularity. Since then, Hillsong church has grown to over 30,000 in weekly attendance and 12 sister churches around the world. They continue to sell millions of copies of their worship albums annually; under the names Hillsong Live, Hillsong United, and Hillsong Young & Free.
I had never heard of Hillsong as a church or as a worship team until 2008 when I was in a Christian bookstore and the sales associate recommended Hillsong United's album "I Heart Revolution." I was absolutely blown away by the passionate singers, the beautiful melodies, and the powerful dynamics. I later realized many of the worship songs I've loved over the years, such as Shout to the Lord, were written by Hillsong.
You may be wondering what Hillsong Church has to do with American churches and denominations. Well, here's my theory: I believe Hillsong is the primary reason why the Assemblies of God is the only denomination growing in the United States. You see, in 2012, Carl Lentz and Joel Houston planted the very first Hillsong church in America, in none other than New York City. Lentz is the founding and lead pastor and Joel, the son of Brian Houston and leader of Hillsong United, is one of the associate pastors. The church, only a couple of years old, has grown to over 7,000 in weekly attendance. To absorb such rapid growth, Hillsong NYC offers 7 Sunday services. New York City is a notoriously secular city, so the expansion of Hillsong NYC is nothing short of a miracle. Since the church has been so successful, I theorize that other Pentecostal denominations, like AG, are starting to follow a similar pattern in worship style, and hence the denominations' recent success.
Hillsong's affect on American churches is not limited to the east coast, either. Ben Houston, Brian's youngest son, recently started a Hillsong church in Los Angeles. I had the privilege of witnessing the start of the church and saw over 1,500 people attend the grand opening. The church continues to do extremely well and will continue to do so, indicated by the fact that the last time Hillsong United came to Los Angeles for a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, over 15,000 people attended. Both on the east coast and west coast, it's clear that Hillsong is both well known and well loved.
Which is why the Assemblies of God denomination is the only Christian denomination that grew in the past year. My generation, the Millennial generation, craves passionate worship music. And there is nobody that does it better than Hillsong. Its no coincidence that in the past year, of all the camps and conferences I attended and spoke at that were geared for young people, almost every single song sung was originally written by Hillsong.
Pastors, leaders, and future church planters, I have one piece of advice if you want to see your church or denomination grow: don't be afraid to worship God with passion, innovation, and creativity. The proof is in the pudding. God is seeking those to worship Him in spirit and in truth.
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