Lessons on How to Drain Your Church—And What to Do Instead

At the 25+ Tent, the message began with three tongue-in-cheek “tips” for church decline:

1. Invest in maintenance over multiplication
2. Don’t raise new leaders
3. Leave when church gets hard

Of course, the real challenge was the opposite. Drawing on the book of Acts, the Pr. Abner showed how early believers built a vibrant, evangelistic community.

It’s tempting to pour time and money into maintenance—keeping the building attractive for those already inside. But unless more energy goes into multiplication, the church risks becoming a monument to what might have been.

Likewise, when new leaders aren’t actively mentored and encouraged, decline is inevitable. And when conflict or difficulty arises, walking away may feel natural—but staying and growing through the mess is where spiritual maturity is forged.

These habits go against human nature, but they open the door to God’s transforming power. If you missed this powerful message, it’s well worth catching the replay.