Yes.
Okay, that isn't the complete truth. Christianity in America is on the decline. But there are other places in the world where it is on the rise, like Africa. It's also not all bad news. In a recent blog post, Carey Nieuwhof (a church planter, author, and speaker) talks about 5 Church Attendance Statistics Every Church Leader Needs to Understand in 2025. He highlights these five stats:
Millennial Attendance is up 18%, but Boomer Attendance is Down
Non-Denominational Churches Are Gaining Momentum
Regular Attendance is Being Redefined: 30% Consider 'Regular' Attendance to Be Twice a Month
The Stable Church is Disappearing: 33% of Churches Report that They're Growing, While 54% are Declining
The Culture Wars are Redefining How Christians Think of Themselves: 48% of US Adults Say There is Conflict Between Their Beliefs and Mainstream American Culture
When I read articles like this, I always ask the question, "What does this mean for Christ the Servant?" Well, there is good news and bad news for us in these statistics. First the good news!
Millennials
Millennials are usually defined as people born between 1981 and 1996 making them currently in their late 20's to early 40's. This demographic is entering the career force, getting married, starting families, and gaining stability in their lives. Statistics have shown that this generation prioritized all of those things above going to church, but guess what? As they have lived into those big life moments, they are now turning to the church for something more! This is significant impact that can be made with this generation, a generation who is curious about faith and desperate to find authentic community where they can question, explore, fail, and succeed all without judgement. A place where their faith and life don't conflict with one another.
Growth or Decline
The disappearance of the "stable church" means that churches need to begin to be bold and their future. If stability is no longer an option then we must decide what is. Churches that choose to die can do so in incredible ways that continue their legacy and mission beyond anything they could have done had they attempted to limp along until a forced closure. Churches that choose to grow must be extremely bold in faith and action, taking big risks and working extremely hard. The payoff can be miraculous, but there is always the risk that it leads to the option direction, but at least you can say you tired! I don't believe it is time for Christ the Servant to consider death. In fact, I believe we are a long ways away from that! But we also can't just sit back and coast into our next 50 years. Stability equals death.
Belief Versus Culture
I believe this is good news for us because I believe our Lutheran theology and heritage allows us to freely wrestle with our beliefs and how it impacts our culture and vice versa. We are not stuck in systems that are ridged but instead have the freedom to be constantly reforming and we rest in grace! We fully admit that we might and will get it wrong but there is grace for that!
The bad news, well, ultimately, the numbers don't look good! Regular church attendance is down. Non-denominational churches whose message and theology can be problematic are on the rise. Most Christians do not know how to reconcile their faith with their daily lives and the culture around them. In his blog, Nieuwhof says:
As America becomes more and more post-Christian, a growing number of churches resistant to change or trying to minister to a culture that no longer exists will struggle and disappear. Add to that an aging clergy, aging congregations, and a lack of young leaders, and the future will have fewer churches than we’ve ever known.
However, the churches that remain will gain momentum.Â
Church, I truly believe that the good news here out weights the bad. I believe Christ the Servant is uniquely positioned to be one of the churches that "remains" which means that we will continue to gain momentum. Our flexibility and willingness to ask the hard questions is a key factor in all of this. There is not a resistance to change in this place like so many churches. There is a willingness to minister to a changing culture and a desire to learn and grow so that we remain relevant in that culture, not to succumb to it but to be a subversive and radically different option that follows the way of Christ.
Church, let us be bold in our next steps as we move into our future. Let us remain focused on Christ and his gospel. Let us continue to ask what the way of Jesus is. Let us look forward with eyes wide open, ready for the kingdom of God to break in and fill this place with God's Spirit and people!