Today’s guest post comes to us from Veronica Neffinger, Editor of ChristianHeadlines.com.

A recent study by Canadian researchers has found that churches with positive growth rates have at least two things in common: they implement modern styles of worship and they stick to a literal interpretation of Scripture.

According to The Christian Post, the study, titled “Theology Matters: Comparing the Traits of Growing and Declining Mainline Protestant Church Attendees and Clergy,” surveyed 2,225 churchgoers in Ontario, Canada, and interviewed 29 clergy members and 195 church attendees.

“This study was important because it quantified empirically something that evangelical renewalists have been saying for decades — theology matters,” said the Rev. Tom Lambrecht, vice president and general manager of Good News Magazine, a United Methodist publication, in an interview with The Christian Post.

In addition to a literal interpretation of Scripture and more modern worship services, the study also found that an emphasis on evangelism was key to church growth.

Click here to read the full article.

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About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.