Christianity is on the decline in America. I did not need an expert to tell me that, but
I found the facts and figures in a new report from Pew Research. There has been a 12% drop in the percentage
of Americans adults who describe themselves as Christian in the last decade
alone. In surveys conducted in 2018 and
2019 65% of American adults describe themselves as Christian, down from 77% in
2009. During the same period the number
of religiously unaffiliated has grown from 17% in 2009 to 26% currently. The unaffiliated includes those who identify
as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular.
While the study from Pew Research does not provide data
on individual denominations it is a known fact that that membership in every
mainline denomination is on the decline.
The study did break down Christians into two sub-groups, Protestants and
Catholics. Protestants showed a larger
decline from 51% of the population in 2009 to 43% today. In 2009 23% proclaimed to be Catholic and
that has dropped to 20% in 2019.
While I am not an expert I think my years in ministry
have provided me with some insights.
Allow me to share what in my mind are two of the major reasons
Christianity is on the decline.
The
emphasis on preserving tradition: While maintaining our church
buildings and preserving our liturgy is important, they are man-made. Church buildings, no matter how majestic or
historically significant, are just structures.
When the focus becomes maintain what we have, rather than expanding the
kingdom, we are doomed. The same can be
said for the style of worship. The
hymns we sing and the liturgy we follow are not ordained by God. They are only vehicles to be used. The Gospel message is the only thing that
remains constant. How it is shared needs
to be constantly changing to fit the time and needs of the people who need to
hear it.
The
focus on internal relationship: We need to spend less time around the coffee
pot visiting with friends and more time in the parking lot welcoming visitors. Years ago when the church growth movement was
in vogue, one of the principles was that when someone joins a church there is a
six month window during which they will invite friends. The truth being that after that time they
become en-cultured, and part of the church family. Whether it be youth group, women’s guild, men’s
club or senior ministry our friends are not only the ones we share an interest
with but the focus of our lives. In the
process we build a wall between us and those who are different. So often those are the people who really need
to hear the Gospel
All is not lost. I
sincerely believe God’s church will survive.
The Gospel message will still be preached. Those who listen to God’s call and respond to
the needs of this world will find their ministries blessed.
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