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Wednesday December 17, 2008 ~ 13 Comments
Gallup just released data that is has, as of today, not done so. Despite some news reports to the contrary, a review of almost 300,000 interviews conducted by Gallup so far in 2008 shows no evidence that church attendance in America has been increasing late this year as a result of bad economic times. In September, October, November, and so far in December, about 42% of Americans reported that they attended church weekly or almost every week, exactly the same as the percentage who reported attending earlier in the year.
The New York Times says they do. Their headline "Bad Times Draw Bigger Crowds to Churches" explains their view. The Times explains: But since September, pastors nationwide say they have seen such a burst of new interest that they find themselves contending with powerful conflicting emotions -- deep empathy and quiet excitement -- as they re-encounter an old piece of religious lore: The Times cites a study by David Beckwith. A study last year may lend some credence to the legend. In "Praying for Recession: The Business Cycle and Protestant Religiosity in the United States," David Beckworth, an assistant professor of economics at Texas State University, looked at long-established trend lines showing the growth of evangelical congregations and the decline of mainline churches and found a more telling detail: During each recession cycle between 1968 and 2004, the rate of growth in evangelical churches jumped by 50 percent. By comparison, mainline Protestant churches continued their decline during recessions, though a bit more slowly.
The Times does not tell you where to find it, but let me help... it is right here. Here is the key: The findings of this paper suggest there is a countercyclical component to church growth for Protestant denominations, particularly for evangelical Protestants.
What are you thoughts? Have you observed the "crush" that The Times mentions in their full article? Posted on December 17, 2008 at 6:17 PM ~ 13 Comments Tagged with: church, economy, ministry Subscribe via RSS or Follow us on Twitter
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Even if it is so, it merely acts to confirm Jesus perceptiveness in walking away from the crowds, knowing what kind of king they were really looking for.
I regret to say, i do not think the church is ready to serve people in hard times. The church has been doing ministry like the rest of the consumer world with huge debt loads, big programs, and large staff. They are over vested in "fix" cost and can not dedicate resources to help those who are hurting. The church also struggles with a problem of getting dirty locally in people's lives. The church preferes to love the Lord with a contemporary srtting and a latte instead of loving our neighbor. Lastly, church is still more consumed with herself i.e. paying the light bill then providing acts of mercy for others.
Thanks Ed. I've been wondering what the church's prospects are during the economic crisis. Can't say the participation within my church concludes anything yet.
I'm also wondering what the economic state will do to the financial prospects of the church. Are people likely to donate less because it's a quick way to save, or are they likely to give more because they've been forced to depend more on Jesus?
Does all of this depend on whether the individual is personally in economic crisis, or is mass hysteria effecting the whole population?
It seems to me that the evangelical churches, as opposed to mainline churches, are more apt to contextualize the Gospel for 21st century hearers in hopes of helping hearers understand the benefits in their life - today. In turn, evangelicals are more likely to go to church and much more likely to invite their friends. Perhaps its much like what happened after 9/11. After 9/11, church attendance was down in relationship to pre-9/11 numbers. However, it soared in evangelical churches that were already growing.
let's wait till the economy actually get's "bad" to decide...this ain't "bad"...yet...
The evaluation makes a lot of sense. I wonder if the apparent rise in the compassion ministries of evangelical churches over the last year or two contributes to the rise in attendance. I know our inner city work has seen a boost in atttendance. But we are also offering more than just spiritual help at our main services.
Methinks that the NYTimes just wanted to reaffirm that people don't make a faith commitment out of belief or reasoned assent to propositions, but that it's a non-rational emotive response to certain stimuli. This story (grounded in minimal anecdote, let alone data) helps advance that particular narrative.
My observation is that people, during hard times, look for escape. They look for ways to alleviate pain, anxiety, fear, worry, etc. Because of this, sales for products that help in this are up in 2008, for example liquor.
I don't think this is irrational at all. It's no less rational than taking tylenol for a headache.
I guess Christians should understand that there isn't a better time to love people than right now.
Exactly. And if that is the case then NOW is the time for the church to actually Innovate and not just Rennovate as we are so famous for.
I've been wrestling with how the 'family of faith' is operating from a 'posture of fear' during these times.
Margin Suggestion: live you life now, while gas is on sale at 50% off, and put the difference between gas price and $4 in the bank. Or - give it away - or pay for someone elses gas. Careful though - giving can become an addiction.
Michael Trent
friend of Ed Stetzer
thanks hr...couldn't agree more...
Instead of pointing a finger and saying that "the church isn't doing enough..." my question is what is the individual doing since the church is made up of individual people. So the question then becomes "what am I doing as a follower of Christ and part of the church?" Too often it is too easy to hide behind "the church isn't doing enough" statements. We must look in our own lives and evaluate what we are doing to contribute to the work of the church. If I feel burdened about a ministry, it is my job to challenge other followers of Christ about it rather than it is someone else's responsibility (the church in general).
My observation is that the church is declining and the economy has nothing to do with it. If a bad enconomy meant larger attendance we must be the exception as our attendance has dropped drastically.
My observation is that the church is declining and the economy has nothing to do with it. If a bad enconomy meant larger attendance we must be the exception as our attendance has dropped drastically.