Autopsy of a Deceased Church Quotes

“The churches were purposeless. They were engaged in an activity called, “This is the way we’ve always done it.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“A failure to pray was tantamount to a failure to breathe.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“Matthew 28:19–20: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The imperative in those verses is “go.” But as we go, there are several sub-commands. We are to make disciples. We are to baptize. We are to teach.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“Thriving churches have the Great Commission as the centerpiece of their vision, while dying churches have forgotten the clear command of Christ.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“Prayerful Commitment 1 God, open my eyes that I might see my church as You see it. Let me see where change needs to take place, even if it is painful to me. And use me, I pray, to be an instrument of that change whatever the cost.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“A church without a gospel-centered purpose is no longer a church at all.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“Even if the church began to grow on its own, the members of the dying church would only accept the growth if the new members were like them and if the church would continue to “do church” the way they wanted it.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“Being a good steward of those material things that God has given our churches is good. Becoming obsessed with any one item to the neglect of His mission is idolatry.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“Membership in the church is not country club membership. It’s not about paying your dues and getting perks.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“The money, though, was symptomatic of a heart problem. The church cared more for its own needs than the community and the world.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“In dying churches the last expenditures to be reduced are those that keep the members most comfortable.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“For where the money of the church goes, so goes its heart.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“When the church is engaged in meaningful prayer, it becomes both the cause and the result of greater church health.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“where the money of the church goes, so goes its heart.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“When a church ceases to have a heart and ministry for its community, it is on the path toward death.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“And when any internal or external force tried to change the past, they responded with anger and resolution: “We will die before we change.” And they did.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“When a church ceases to have a heart and ministry for its community, it is on the path toward”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“Did you get that? Vibrant and living churches look after the interests of others. They are concerned for their communities. They open the door for others.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“So, unlike the heroes of Hebrews 11 who held onto nothing of this life, these dying churches held onto everything, at least everything that made them comfortable and happy. Such is the reason we speak of them in the past.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“The most pervasive and common thread of our autopsies was that the deceased churches lived for a long time with the past as hero. They held on more tightly with each progressive year. They often clung to things of the past with desperation and fear. And when any internal or external force tried to change the past, they responded with anger and resolution: “We will die before we change.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“The members at Philippi knew what they were supposed to do. They were to live the gospel. They were to proclaim the gospel.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“When the early Jerusalem church members devoted themselves to prayer, they were doing a lot more than reading names off a list. They were fervent, intense, and passionate about prayer.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“Did the church members pray together?”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“Members of the dying churches really didn’t want growth unless that growth met their preferences and allowed them to remain comfortable.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“Vibrant and living churches look after the interests of others. They are concerned for their communities. They open the door for others.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“When a church ceases to have a heart and ministry for its community, it is on the path toward death. Whenever local churches are mentioned in the New Testament, they are always exhorted to be other-centered.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

“Yes, we respect the past. At times we revere the past. But we can’t live in the past.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive