A guide to avert demise for declining churches
The interesting cases, Scriptures, interviews, models and analogies in “Tombstones to Cornerstones: Hope and Help for Churches in Stress and Decline” highlight actions needed after a congregation’s plateau.
Rick Krug and Jessica Knapp. “Tombstones to Cornerstones: Hope and Help for Churches in Stress and Decline.” Xulon Press. 2022. 192 pages. $23.99.
To kindle our interest, Rick Krug and Jessica Knapp first evoke fond memories from a golden age of church growth animated by singings, frequent meetings, evangelism, fellowship and Bible studies.
After skillfully compressing many precious recollections, the book contrasts this glorious past with confusion and hopelessness among churches confronting decline.
The authors use a life cycle model based on meaningful research applicable to thousands of organizations. Their frequent theme is to recognize warning signs and make corrections prior to decline.
A pivotal point involves sustained growth, after which potential decline can be averted by applying renewal strategies through resetting goals and future vision. That is, without critically timed intervention plans and anticipating pivotal points, a shocking decline is likely.
The authors frequently honor faithful members and leaders who struggle and are stressed when encountering loss. Sadly, however, the harsh truths of cultural change, membership decline and program defeat spool up in anger and misguided blame.
Decline reactivity occurs in identifiable patterns of attitude:
1. Dumbfounded and worried (“weary and need help”).
2. Optimistic, work harder, only just a cycle (“the hurt but hopeful”).
3. Victimized, as in “we are under attack” (i.e., cultural shifts, social forces, etc.).
In further response, churches deny or pursue incomplete plans to forestall loss only to discover they missed the hidden causes.
Even sincere attitudes unknowingly foster platitudes blunting reality. The authors commend self-evaluation, reimagination and vision casting as grounding to avoid decline. The goal is action for congregational transition planning. It begins by reviewing successful history.
These powerful memories lead to the evocative “tombstone” metaphor galvanizing prayerful principles and converting loss into a future new form — a “cornerstone,” representing past threads living on in hope and “finishing God’s work.”
The authors empathize with any negative reactions regarding decline and its conversational awkwardness. They insist the discussion is not fatalistic but realistic, merging messages of warning and encouragement, sprinkled with effective directions into a helpful pathway.
This important book stimulates thoughts about future volumes, bolstering statistical data and case studies. It is a courageous text — a must read addressing an imminent need!
CARLEY H. DODD is professor emeritus in the Department of Communication and Sociology at Abilene Christian University. He has authored numerous academic articles and books and serves as an elder of the Southern Hills Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas.
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