Frequently Asked Questions About Church Planting

Why do we need more churches in Mississippi?

• In spite of the fact that we live in the Bible belt, there are still thousands of people in every community that have no relationship with a church of any kind.  According to the Barna Research group, since 1991 the adult population in the US has grown by 15% while the number of adults who are considered unchurched has more than doubled from 39 million to 75 million which is a 92% increase.    Twenty eight percent of people living in the south are considered unchurched.  This fact coupled with the fact that 70-90% of all churches are plateaued or in decline creates a vast majority of the population that may be open to joining a growing church that is focused on the needs of the community as well as reaching people with the gospel message.
• Men constitute 55% of the unchurched in America.  Only 38% of men in America are considered born again. 
• Research by Dr. Thom Ranier found that only 4% of teens today understand the gospel and have accepted Christ even if they are in our churches.
• Each generation in America is becoming less committed to religion.  Of the Bridger generation (those born between 1997-1994) less than 30% of them attend church.
• According to Dr. Ranier's research, less than 4% of all churches in America meet the criteria of being an evangelistic church.
• According to research from NAMB, churches that are older than ten years average 2.5 baptisms per 100 members.  Churches that are 10 years or younger average 10.8 baptisms per 100 members.