Bullard states that there are four key issues that determine a life cycle. Those issues are vision, relationships, activities, and management. When vision and relationships are driving a congregation’s agenda the church will be experiencing the upward side of the life cycle. However, when management and activities are controlling the agenda the church will be on the downward side of the life cycle. When all four of these issues are at their peak the congregation is at its peak in terms of the life cycle. Therefore it is important to understand what is involved in each one of the four issues. Understanding these will help congregations determine whether it is time to end or put energy into developing a new life cycle.