Few people will argue that church attendance in many churches in America is declining. Our own research indicates that the majority of churches in our country are not growing.
Most of us have our own ideas why attendance is declining. Many have suggested that our nation is shifting away from its Christian roots, and thus the churches are declining as a smaller proportion of our country are believers in Christ.
I certainly will not argue with that premise. Certainly attendance declines are related to massive cultural shifts in our nation. But I would also suggest that one reason for declines has a greater impact than others.
The Frequency Issue
Stated simply, the number one reason for the decline in church attendance is that members attend with less frequency than they did just a few years ago. Allow me to explain.
If the frequency of attendance changes, then attendance will respond accordingly. For example, if 200 members attend every week the average attendance is, obviously, 200. But if one-half of those members miss only one out of four weeks, the attendance drops to 175.
Did you catch that? No members left the church. Everyone is still relatively active in the church. But attendance declined over 12 percent because half the members changed their attendance behavior slightly.
This phenomenon can take place rather quickly in an individual church. And leaders in the church are often left scratching their heads because the behavioral change is so slight, almost imperceptible. We really don’t notice when someone who attends four times a month begins to attend only three times a month. Nor do we typically catch it when the twice-a-month attendee becomes a once-a-month attendee.
Five Possible Approaches to the Problem
Of course, the heart of the problem is not declining numbers but waning commitment. As I addressed in my book, I Am a Church Member, church membership is becoming less and less meaningful in many churches. As membership becomes less meaningful, commitment naturally wanes.
While I don’t want to suggest there is a magic bullet to this problem, I do want to offer some approaches to address it. These five have proven to be the most helpful in hundreds of churches:
- Raise the expectations of membership. You may be surprised how many church members don’t really think it’s that important to be an active part of the church. No one has ever told them differently.
- Require an entry class for membership. By doing so, the church makes a statement that membership is meaningful. The class should also be used to state the expectations of what a committed member looks like.
- Encourage ministry involvement. Many members become less frequent attendees because they have no ministry roles in the church. They do not feel like they are an integral part of the church.
- Offer more options for worship times. Our culture is now a 24/7 population. Some members have to work during the times of worship services. If possible, give them options. One businessman recently told me that he changed congregations to a church that offered a Saturday worship time because his job required him to catch a plane on Sunday morning.
- Monitor attendance of each member. This approach is often difficult, especially for worship attendance. That is why the traditional Sunday school approach of calling absentees was so effective. Perhaps churches can incorporate that approach in all groups. Members are less likely to be absent if they know someone misses them.
When Church Membership Becomes Meaningful
People want to be a part of something that makes a difference. They desire to be involved in something bigger than themselves.
Unfortunately, in many churches membership has become less and less meaningful. Until we get our churches back to the committed membership the Apostle Paul mandates in 1 Corinthians 12, we will continue to see declining attendance. But when membership becomes truly meaningful, our churches will become an unstoppable force for the Kingdom and glory of God.
Posted on August 19, 2013
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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280 Comments
Jesus never took attendance or made it elitist and people came to him in droves because he was speaking the anointed truth into people’s lives. Maybe if churches did a little more of that instead of always scheming about ways to chain people to the pews to listen to them drivel on about the church roof, parking lot, or the necessity for more “workers in the field” to man some pointless gathering. Most churches make themselves obsolete because it’s all about how the flock can serve the clergy’s ego rather than building real relationships in Christ. Families with small children are set upon when they enter the building like a lamb being led to slaughter. Older people are invisible. Special needs children are a bother. It all gets so invariably old.
I would love to attend church where God is :
In music
In literature ( years ago quarterlys were all about God and the Bible)
In sermons
Dr Steve Lawson has written a book , ” Famine In The Land” which is so true. A famine of hearing the words of God.
Simply said , from a Christian , remember how we hold the lamb up when it becomes born in Christ ? The altar call ? And the sheer numbers ? 250 were saved yesterday or last week or last month .. ask the pastors three years from then , how are those people ? Are they still Christians ? Are they still going to church ? Or even their names .. We as churches spend thousands of dollars in Africa , yet little or none in outreach to train lambs into Christ to become sheep .. we praise the lamb then let it go in the wilderness of this world with zero training on how to keep God in your life .. how to do devotions or even simply how to pray .. they get out of the spotlight then become ignored while the world devours them .. and then they will come back , probably to different church like a sheep listening for his masters voice .. we exclude them from being involved , we reserve that for establishment members of church , remember Jesus said the “we should take care of the least of us ” yet we pick ans choose who we want to take care of . Churches are instant gratification now , big shows and programs yet refuse to cultivate the seeds already sown . If we cultivate what we already have we can build a beautiful garden . Instead of seeking recognition for brining People to the Christ , we should concentrate on keeping the ones we have now and build loyality by teaching them how to pray , how to deal with problems with Christ and Faith , instead of looking around for other sheep .. imagine building. From a foundation of sinners to kingdom Clydesdales in your church .. but that takes to long , we instead of trusting God to build a church with a rock solid foundation, we build with straw and sticks because it attracts attention .. train the ones we have now .. ever seen a church on the one year anniversary of a person being saved make the same ruckus as when they are saved ? Just my two cents from a heathen who had to go through that .. spend the effort keeping the people instead of finding lost souls and let the kingdom Clydesdales become your Shepard to find lost souls
Hi,
I’m hoping that someone could please let me know if I’m wrong in my thinking or if they think I should say something to my Pastor or just leave and go to another Church?
I have been going to this Church for about 30 years, I’m a member. I have been involved in helping through the years and have enjoyed doing for everyone. My problem, is it’s a small town and I’m not from here. I didn’t go to school here, so therefore I don’t have a lot of “school friends” and don’t have any family here. But, I always felt like the Church was my Church Family. But, this has happened so many times and I usually let it go. But when it involved my Mama, it hurts. Another member, who grew up here and knows everyone and has money had the same situation as me. Her Mom passed away in the same week as mine. Then, her son & wife lost their home in a fire. Which my heart goes out to and we did take up a love offering for them. The son & wife haven’t been to our Church in years. I also, haven’t been to Church in about 1 1/2 months because I was in another city taking care of my Mom 24/7 till she passed. So, when I went to Church for the first time this Sunday, I spoke to the Preacher in the Foyer and he was sympathetic and I asked him to hold me up in prayer. Well, in his opening service, he said to several people, “So glad you’re here”, to one, Hold Val, up in prayer, she has been sick. Then he started talking about the other lady’s Mom passing and that her Son & Wife just lost there home in fire and we’re going to take up a love offering. (Which I gave and just hate it for them). But, the Mom doesn’t come often either. But, she’s from there, and has a lot of money. I’m not poor, but I’m sure I don’t give as much in tithes as she does? But, I do give and I do a lot for my Church when I wasn’t taking care of my Mom. But, after his service, he mentioned about the other ladies Mom passing and the Fire and took up a love offering. He looked at me several different times and Never said, “We also would like for everyone to hold Sandra up in prayer because she still is morning the loss of her Mom. And we’re glad she is back with us. And if he left that last part off, that would have been fine, but to Not even acknowledge me loosing my Mama, it hurts. I don’t need to be noticed or even brought up about anything I do for our Church, because I do it because I love to do it, I love the people, I love to do the Lord’s work….but I’m just hurt by this latest thing about my Mama and I just can’t let it go. I have cried and cried about it. Please tell me what you think? Thank-You very much. God Bless Sandy
Sandy, I feel you should talk to your Pastor… you mentioned talking to him in the foyer on the way in to church. The morning of the service, our Pastors have a lot on their mind as Spirit speaks the message to them, several folks mention things to them, they have their own personal things they may be going through, etc. I feel in my heart it was a a tragic lapse of remembering to lift you up in prayer. He may have been looking at you several different times to try and remember the conversation. It was very personal to you, and you said he was very sympathetic when you told him… trust in that and give him the benefit of the doubt. At the church I attend, we have a prayer and concern and praise sheet… there folks can write something down as they enter, and it gets brought up to Pastor at the beginning of the service. When you really need a one on one time to talk with a Pastor, set up an appointment to see him, you will get his undivided attention then. There are a lot of things Pastor do behind the scenes, talking to grieving family members, visiting hospitals, counseling folks, meeting often outside of the church building where some may feel more comfortable, often things the secretary or other staff members have no idea about…. I feel our Pastors need more support and IF a problem arises, they deserve a one on one conversation about it, if that does not resolve it, bring another church member with you… to talk with the Pastor. I pray you have found the peace and comfort needed in the passing of your Mom, I am very sorry for your loss. I find great comfort in knowing a loved one is in the presence of the Lord and how wonderful for them that must be. Prayerfully we all will know that same joy one day.
Presently I’m in a church programme been know to the church members and even announced weeks before today.. It is like an hour now even 15% of the church members are not present yet, how do you think the pastor will feel ? I think generally people are Sunday attendee.
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Thom,
I came across an article a few weeks ago that stated the average number of times a person attends church or a service in a month is now at 1.7 times per month down from what used to be 2.3 times per month. I can’t seem to locate this article, so I was wondering if you could steer me in the right direction and possibly confirm these findings. I’m working on a project, and I’m trying to come across this number. Thanks in advance for your help!
Kyle –
I am not familiar with those specific numbers.
Dear Brother,
The Lord be with you and make God’s face to shine upon you and give you peace.
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