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I administered this survey with about a dozen congregations and then met with them in a follow-up discussion. Following my interviews with these congregations and going through my own transition in ministry, I discovered that denominations and local churches must focus on three aspects of vitality. Mainline denominations do not have a clear identity, which has trickled down to the local church. Furthermore, we have traded theology for marketing and advertising. The research revealed that our denominations are in decline because congregational leaders are not equipped to discern their identity, purpose, and theology of ministry. 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