Spirituality May Be Hot in America, But 76 Million Adults Never Attend Church

The Barna Group ^ | 3/20/06

[Overtaxed]

It's tough to get up and go to church Sunday morning when your young and single and out late Saturday night.

Or it might just be tough to get up and go to a church that is going to ignore you because you're not married with children.

Oh, but your checkbook is always welcome.

[Alex Murphy]

Of all the thousands of verses in the Bible, not a single one reads, "Go to church."

And yet there's one that reads

and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25

[dukeman]

Of all the thousands of verses in the Bible, not a single one reads, "Go to church."

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25

The New Testament assumes that Christians will share in the life of a local congregation, worshiping in the body, accepting its nurture and discipline (Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1), and sharing its ministry and witness. Christians who refuse to join other believers spiritually impoverish themselves.

[dukeman]

You beat me, Alex.

[princess leah]

However, it does state in Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not give up on meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more, as you see the Day approaching"

[wmfights]

"our senior pastor is Jewish, but accepted Jesus as the messiah while in college."
_________________________________

Praise the LORD!

Can you imagine what Hanukkah is like at his parents house?

[wmfights]

"Or it might just be tough to get up and go to a church that is going to ignore you because you're not married with children."
____________________________

That's a great point. I wish I had thought of that. We tend to not be inclusive of those that are different from the group.

[Plumrodimus]

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” Do you and the other one or two people you gather with use some kind of daily devotional book, hymnal liturgy, or something else? Just curious because I know our church gives out family devotionals that we can use at home for small groups for the rest of the week when we're not in church. There are some you can find online as well.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

Denominationally, the largest share of unchurched adults is made up of lapsed Catholics: almost three out of every ten unchurched people (29%) associate with Catholicism.

29% of 34% is almost 10% of the US Population, or 30 million people.

This implies we've lost 33% of the total Catholic population, which should be in the 90-100 million range (to say nothing of another 50% of the Catholic population that rarely attends Mass). Think of the influence we Catholics should have were we really 100 million strong and united and faithful.

"And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd. Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest." (St. Matthew 9.36-38)

"Do you not say, There are yet four months, and then the harvest cometh? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and see the countries; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life everlasting: that both he that soweth, and he that reapeth, may rejoice together." (St. John 4.35-36)

Ora et labora!

"We can speak only with a heavy heart of so few laborers for such a great harvest, for although there are many to hear the good news there are only a few to preach it." (St. Gregory the Great)

[Jeff Chandler]

I'm Methodist so attending church has about the same spiritual significance as watching American Idle these days.

Years ago I attended the Methodist wedding of a friend. The service was almost over before God was even mentioned, when the Lord's Prayer was prayed. I was saddened.

[Jeff Chandler]

I will stay out of church and the political in fighting that goes on there.

While I don't agree with your view about attending church, I can understand why your experience has turned you away. The internal politics in churches can resemble snake pits.

I pray that you will forgive those who were such poor representatives for Christ.

[Jeff Chandler]

Has it ever occurred to you that those hypocrites who assemble at church need YOU? That you can help those around you at church through your example of Christian humility, faith, and charity?

Something to think about.

[Alex Murphy]

Has it ever occurred to you that those hypocrites who assemble at church need YOU? That you can help those around you at church through your example of Christian humility, faith, and charity?

Well said!

[Jeff Chandler]

I can't take credit for it. It was the Holy Spirit speaking.

[Salvation]

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[Global2010]

Bump although I did not read the Title....but there sure is a revival back to Catholism in our area ..and it is happening from the teens and single moms who have lost Dads through death not what you would think a single Mums.

[Global2010]

Praise be to God.

We stand in the back too because our Catholic Church is sooo small however we hang out for class during the week and geeze for some reason can't think of a cooler place to be...

How cool is that.

[Global2010]

Holy Toledo,

Never dawned on me we don't have any musical instraments in our Church.

Wow Oh Father would not put up with such he would be armed with his Shot Gun before he had a bell Choir...Somebody post Nuns with Guns!
>LOL

[rhema]

BTTT

[Chi-townChief]

I've known a few "born agains" who said that church is only for hypocrites.