Dennis R Wiles 
FBC Arlington 
October 15, 2023 

2023 - Why Does It Matter? 
FALL 2023 
The Church: Why Does It Matter? 
September 3 – November 4, 2023 

First Baptist Arlington: In Partnership with Others! 
Philippians 1:1-11 

In the United States, we are currently experiencing the largest and fastest religious shift in the history of our country, as tens of millions of formerly regular Christian worshipers nationwide have decided they no longer desire to attend church at all. These are what we now call the dechurched. About 40 million adults in America today used to go to church but no longer do, which accounts for around 16% of our adult population. For the first time in the eight decades that Gallup has tracked American religious membership, more adults in the United States do not attend church than attend church. This is not a gradual shift; it is a jolting one. 
-Jim Davis and Michael Graham, The Great Dechurching 

Partnership: To be in fellowship with – and to work together in sharing the Gospel. 

IMMEDIATE CONTEXT: Arlington – in the heart of the Metroplex! 

IMMEDIATE CONTEXT: Our closest ministry partners – we are in fellowship with and work together in sharing the Gospel. 

COMPLEXITY OF OUR MISSION FIELD 

HISTORIC MODEL OF DISCIPLESHIP 

Imagine if the local church simply began training its members to live as resident missionaries and make disciples in the places where they are already doing life. Imagine small bands of disciples living the missional-incarnational life of Jesus in the mission fields of their own neighborhoods, workplaces, and social spaces, such as cafés, gyms, art studios, and parks. Where you are now, wherever you spend the majority of your time—that’s your mission field. 
-Jon Ritner, Positively Irritating 

THE CHURCH: Empowered and Equipped for every era of human history. 

2024: TOGETHER - Ephesians 4:11-16