The American Church in Crisis: Groundbreaking Research Based on a National Database of over 200,000 Churches

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 240 pages
• Published by: Zondervan February 15, 2008
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0310277132
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0310277132
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Weighs: 15.2 ounces

Product Review
Dave Olson sheds invaluable insight on the condition, direction, and immediate requirements of the American Church. Dave writes with a rare combination of pastoral experience and denominational leadership backed up by rich church research. Thankfully, his message is not the typical, fatalistic, doom-filled prophecy about the imminent demise of the American Church. Instead, this book is packed with valuable insight, priceless research, and years of wisdom, all pointing toward practical answers about how to renew Christ's church. -- Craig Groeschel - Pastor, LifeChurch.tv, Edmund, OK

David Olson has given the American Church the gift of truth and hope in one powerful package. This book is a wonderfully balanced presentation of "just the facts" woven skillfully together with colorful metaphors that lead the reader to a clear understanding of the dangers and the opportunities facing the Body of Christ in the United States. It is a "must read" for Christian leaders determined to develop strategic plans to reach the multitudes of fellow citizens who are currently disconnected from the Church that Jesus is building. -- Steve Pike - Director, Church Planting and Development, Assemblies of God

The American Church in Crisis is a reality check that provides an honest look at the state of the church in America. Employing thorough research that yield eye-opening statistics, Dave Olson gives us a realistic snapshot of the state of the American church. This book is a prophetic call to prepare ourselves for the next phase of the church in America - a dynamic phase that requires a ministry of church planting and church revitalization in an increasingly diverse, multi-ethnic landscape. Every pastor, church leader, denominational leader, or Christian concerned about the future of the church in the United States requirements to read this book. -- Soong-Chan Rah - Milton B. Engebretson Assistant Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism, North Park Theological Seminary

Product Description
Groundbreaking analytical research from a database of over 200,000 North American churches reveals our population is growing faster than church attendance. This guide shows the problems as well as the potential of the American church, confirming hunches, exploding myths, and offering a clear path to a brighter future.

Reader Reviews
It was refeshing reading research beyond Barna. Though Olson said the same stuff Barna would have...the American institutional church is in serious trouble. Olson seemed to be a little more broad and deep. Instead of relying solely on his own data, as Barna would, he brought in other sources and gave a comprehensive look at the church. I loved the pro church planting perspective. American churches need to plant 2,900 churches a year just to keep pace with the growth in population (p 181).