Ministry News

Majority of Unchurched Adults Identify Themselves as ‘Christians’

Details: Published on Tuesday, 13 April 2010 13:19; Written by Marcus Yoars

Nearly two-thirds of all unchurched adults—people who have not attended a church activity in the last six months—identified themselves as “Christians,” according to a recent study by the Barna Group.

The survey revealed that 28 percent of the population—some 65 million adults—have not participated in any church activities or services in the past six months. As many churches try to attract this group to worship on Sunday, the study showed that the makeup of unchurched Americans may be surprising.

For example, 18 percent of unchurched Americans say they are born again, that they have “made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today” and that they will go to heaven only because they have accepted Him as their Savior. Two-thirds (68 percent) say God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the universe. However, slightly more than one-third (35 percent) agree that the Bible is totally accurate in all its principles, and only 15 percent say their religious faith is very important in their life.

Demographically, among the unchurched, women outnumber men, baby boomers and older generations outnumber younger generations, and conservatives outnumber liberals.

Why does such a large group of people who believe in God avoid church? The Barna Group claims that a previous study may shed some light on the question. The study showed that 37 percent of non-churchgoing Americans avoid churches because of negative past experiences in churches or with church people. [barna.org, 4/12/10]

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Related Terms: adults , americans , barna group , christians , church , identity , survey , unchurched

Comments

+3 #20 Ellie Merritt 2010-05-14 07:17

Quoting Patricia Brown:

Instead of complaining go and try to make a difference. Sitting on the sidelines and pointing fingers is not what is needed.

Sadly, Patricia, the comments here aren't complaints, but cries of broken hearts. We are the people who faithfully attended our churches for decades, who tried to make a difference, and who seldom (if ever) 'sat on the sidelines'. We aren't 'pointing fingers' (assuming you mean criticizing or blaming) the church now, but observing and grieving over what is lost to us: our beloved and familiar ways of worshipping together. God will always have a Church, and we who seek will find what form this will take, whether corporate or different altogether (as the early church in the Book of Acts was unlike anything previously known). Christian cliches and pat answers are part of the problem, so we need to contemplate and speak with great care.

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+3 #19 Ellie Merritt 2010-05-14 06:57

In the past year, the church I once attended has dwindled to below 200 (avg. attendance Sundays Jan. 2010-April 2010 : 179)--a first. People who were born into this church are leaving and not coming back. Problems stated are arrogant pastors (elitism), too much debt as pastor plans new debt for new sanctuary, preying on older people to buy anuities to finance bldg. program, lack of concern for young couples in trouble (four couples divorced since Jan. 1, all because of adultery), lack of teaching how to deal with real life situtations, wishy-washy doctrinal stance, introduction of obscure, strange (heretical?) ideas about Scripture. This church claims to be 'Sprit-filled', but with which spirit (little 's')? Pastor and wife attempt to solve all problems with more parties, more trips on the church bus. Those of us who can't bear to see our church disintegrate are leaving, but not without trying to improve things for a long, long time.
Similar probs. throughout the denom.

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+2 #18 RevJay 2010-05-03 03:11

As many here have said, And this comes as a shock to you? I have seen and know many people who were faithful church attendees for dozens of years and then, suddenly... poof, they were gone. Not to another church, because in my area there is not an abundance of bible believing preaching churches, but just out of the web of church in general. Why? Some has to deal with the people of the church becoming older and complacent in their ministries. Others find the preaching becoming more and more of a violation of the bible anyway, not seeking the lost, or regaining a lost member, or helping a hurting young family, just trying to keep the churches collective head above water. Overstretched people burn the candle on both ends and sometimes in the middle.. Evaluating ministries of a church that had 300 people and now 50 is something the leadership is lacking in. People don't want to go just to be 'employed' in several ill prepared ministries.

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-3 #17 paris 2010-04-25 12:39

AFTER EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE CHURCH, DISAPPOINTMENT, HATRED, MEANNESS, BROKEN HEARTED. CHARACTER ATTACKS. I AM STILL DETERMINED TO COME TO CHURCH AND GET ON MY KNEES AND TALK TO MY CREATOR. I PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HURT ME AND I PRAY FOR ME THAT I DON'T HURT THEM BACK. I TRUST GOD TO HELP ME BE FAITHFUL TO HIM EVEN WHEN I DON'T UNDERSTAND. PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LEFT THE CHURCH THAT THEY MAY FIND THEIR WAY BACK HOME. EVEN IF ITS A DIFFERENT CHURCH AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

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0 #16 Arising Glory 2010-04-19 16:29

Obviously then, they responded to the message, but not the meeting! :oops:

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0 #15 Pastor Doug 2010-04-14 11:43

Yes, WE (the Body) are the Church, but God designed and purposed us to be in fellowship and interacting as the "local church" because our spiritual growth is limited outside of that model. It's quite clear when you read the Scriptures that others help us grow & we help others grow, because of the different giftings, etc.

Yes, many churches and church leaders have done a horrible job in both their structure and ministry to the needs of the Saints, but God always has a remnant. If you've been hurt, don't give up looking for a healthy "body" (church), they do exist...

Don't hamstring your growth by being isolated. Proverbs 18:1. You need what the church has to offer and the church needs what you have to offer.

Spot on Balding Eagle! If we make the "Church" only about what happens on Sunday, we've already missed it! We ARE the Church. The World needs a healthy, vibrant church to bring the Kingdom!

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-5 #14 Patricia Brown 2010-04-14 07:24

Instead of complaining go and try to make a difference. Sitting on the sidelines and pointing fingers is not what is needed.

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0 #13 Doug Van Devender 2010-04-14 06:01

The Christian faith requires an essential, foundational (individual) experience with God through Christ by means of the Holy Spirit. That relationship automatically enteres us into participation in the body of Christ. Such corportate participation fleshes out and demonstrates the reality of our pesonal experience.
Practially speaking, there are many things that can only be done to representing Christ to a lost world COLLECTIVELY --
whether in an institutional "church" or a less formal
fellowship seems secondary.

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+8 #12 Balding Eagle 2010-04-14 02:55

Let's take a step back. The "church" should not be the issue. We are "the church" as individuals. If we would all "be the church" all week long, then we wouldn't be all uptight about Sunday. Sunday is not the church. One fellow said "we all need to belong to a church." WE ALREADY BELONG TO CHRIST - WE ARE THE CHURCH. So, why don't we all do the ministries God has given to us all week long and see Sunday as a time to worship and fellowship. Don't make your "church (bldg+pastor)" be the definition of church. We get together on Sunday to celebrate what happened Mon thru Sat. Bless you all as you discover that we are asking the wrong question when we talk about church.

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-5 #11 Edward Naval 2010-04-13 20:55

For every christian a CHURCH is a must!!., as a christian we must have a local church where we can feed our spirit.., remember that Christ being the HEAD of the church and we as a whole is the BODY..., YES..., we can have our own fellowship directly with our ABBA Father in heaven.., but still we must belong to a church.., remember that there is no PERFECT Church..,don't look at the faults, mistakes of your pastor or elders.., that is why Paul summons every believer to exhort and to build up one another for the perfection of the church....God bless....

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