By way of Tony Morgan’s Blog I recently read an online article in the Washington Times. It was based on a survey by the Baylor University Institute for the a Study of Religion. This article is fascinating as are the survey results. I have included the an excerpt below that is related to church that might surprise some of you. Here is what it says:
“The survey spoke highly of the American megachurch, congregations of more than 1,000 that are often criticized for their impersonal nature. People who attend megachurches are far more conservative in their theology than are attendees of smaller churches, it said.
Their members are also younger, they share their faith more with strangers, and they perform more volunteer work than do members of small churches.
“There are many critics who think the megachurches thrive on people who enjoy dramatic Sunday services with fine music but don’t wish to become very ‘religious’ on a day-to-day basis – that the megachurch appeal is a mile wide and an inch deep,” said “What Americans Really Believe,” a companion book to the survey.
“But it is not true. Those who belong to megachurches display as high a level of personal commitment as do those who attend small congregations.”
Mr. Stark added, “Apparently they are preaching Jesus and that’s why they get so big.”
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Yet according to David T. Olsen, the percent of the US population that attends church has dropped steadily since 1990, from 20.4% to 18.7% in the year 2000. Megachurches abound, yet attendance still goes down. His estimate, based on the current trend, has the US at 11% attendance by 2050. The addition of new churches is not even keeping up with population growth. Hmmmm…
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/
To comment on the comment. So what is the answer! In my mind given the two realities it is more larger high impact churches
The answer in my humble opinion is new methods. Existing methods are just not working. Relevancy that goes beyond a pop song to open worship. Acceptance that goes beyond an “All Are Welcome” Sign. A missional mindset that goes beyond lobbing programs over church walls.
Oh, and lots more Jesus will help as well. We got our work cut out for us.
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