Brotherhood News

Institute urges caution with statistics

2024-08-23 by Forthright Staff

FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS ─ In a judicious article published Aug. 22, The Jenkins Institute urged brethren take a more critical look at numbers published in social media decrying a severe decline in the brotherhood.

The article is titled, “Re-thinking ‘The Slide’”. It seeks to provide historical background to the numbers and help brethren understand the data. The article also points out positive developments among the American congregations and seeks to put it all in global perspective.

“The church is experiencing significant growth globally. Our immediate surroundings can sometimes limit our perspective, but the broader picture reveals a vibrant and expanding Body,” the article states.

Many Chicken Littles in the church have announced the sky is falling for years. TJI wants us to see that God is still working in this world for the harvest of souls.

The article also called attention to change agents who push negative numbers to promote their agenda:

“It’s also worth noting that some individuals may use statistics to promote specific agendas, such as advocating for changes in worship practices or leadership in worship. You must ask, What is in it for the person supplying the stat? One of the loudest voices in this is part of a large effort to change the church into a denomination. He and his associates are pushing churches to bring instrumental music into the worship services and pushing women as leaders in worship. It certainly appears their agenda is to convince some that the only way to grow again is to ‘change with the times’ or that we will ‘lose our young people if we do not go this way,’ then some will listen.”

TJI is a combined effort of Jeff Jenkins and Dale Jenkins to honor their father Jerry. It was founded shortly after he passed away in 2010.

The complete article can be found on the TJI website.