The Death of a Local Church
By Andy Alexander

The Lord said of the church at Sardis, "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." (Revelation 3:1) Sardis had been spiritually alive, for the Lord told them to remember how they had received and heard; but now, although they had a reputation for being alive, they were dead. Obviously, the Christians at Sardis were not aware of their dire condition.

It is a sad fact that local churches die from time to time, but what causes a thriving, spiritually alive, local church to die? What are some of the signs that point to this happening? In this article, we want to notice some of the possible warning signs of death in hope of strengthening the Lord's church. A congregation may have some, or all, of the signs mentioned. Whatever the case, if there is improvement to be made in our personal lives, and we make the improvement, it will strengthen the local church where we are members.

Signs of Approaching Death

These are outward signs that warn of a congregation's approaching death. These signs suggest deeper spiritual problems, which if corrected, could save the congregation from death.

This list of warning signs is not exhaustive. Hopefully, churches will examine themselves and make correction where it is needed (2 Corinthians 13:5). No congregation has to die, but die it will if its members drift through life without performing any self-examination and making the necessary corrections. James warned about those who look into God's mirror, the Word, and see flaws, but do not make the needed corrections (James 1:23-24). Let us be wise hearers of the Word and strengthen the Lord's church. "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58)


Brother Alexander wrote this article almost fifteen years ago. His statements were true then, and they remain true today. I've heard, from those who lived during the 1950s, that the Lord's church was the fastest growing church in this country. People used to say that its members were like "walking Bibles." Where are we today? The average church's membership is around 100. Is this because the world became smaller, or could it be that many churches have already died? We live in a fast-paced society; people are so busy they have little time for themselves, and it seems none for the Lord. When things become too busy, religion is the first thing they give up.

Sadly, this is also becoming a problem for those in Christ's body. When I was a boy, we had ten-day meetings, with morning services. Then we went to seven days, with two services. A few years ago, most meetings went from Sunday through Friday. What about now? To coin a phrase from an esteemed brother, we now have dovetail meetings-Friday-thru-Sunday weekend meetings. How can less preaching make us stronger spiritually? Are we slowly dying without even knowing it? The Lord needs a spiritually alive church-not a dead one!