Growing a Healthy and Faithful Congregation

The First Baptist Church of Somerville, New Jersey is an historic mainline church that is experiencing decline in its spiritual, numerical, and financial life. The project seeks to examine the factors and conditions at work in the congregational life of First Baptist which are hindering congregational growth and community outreach. Given the need for congregational growth, insights of the Church Growth Movement and the missional approach to church growth are examined in relation to the historical, cultural and social ministry contexts of traditional mainline churches like First Baptist. A methodology combining neighborhood asset mapping, congregational surveys, and focus groups is used to determine the historic and present contexts of the congregation. The results of these efforts will inform and guide a congregation's efforts to develop a missional vision and a strategic growth plan and restore spiritual vitality to its members by participating in the mission of the Kingdom of God (one result of which will be to attract families, youth, and children to the church)