Spiritual Curiosity is increasing Church attendance

[dwb]

'Spiritual curiosity': Church attendance surging, and it's YOUNGER Americans making the difference.​

For decades, the number of people sitting in church pews on Sundays, and other days, has been declining. Especially among churches belonging to some of the legacy denominations across the country. But that's suddenly, and significantly, reversed course. And it is the younger adults in America, Gen Z and Millennials, who are leading the way.

I have noticed that when I go to Church (non-denominational) with my son in downtown Nashville that it is always packed with the majority being young people. It's very inspiring to me to see the younger crowd very much into worshipping. They participate, sing, raise their arms in praise, and in general seem very enthusiastic to be there. I don't care for the overly loud band. On the other hand at my Church it seems like a crowd going thru the motions, pray-sing-communion-pray-offering-sing-sermon-pray-sing-go home week after week. I definitely understand the attraction to a more upbeat service that is really worshipping. What a great event to have the younger crowd attending more often than in the past.

'Spiritual curiosity': Church attendance surging, and it's YOUNGER Americans making the difference * WorldNetDaily * by Bob Unruh

'The return to church among the next generation stands out as a powerful sign of rising openness to faith'

www.wnd.com

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Death is picking off the seniors/elderly people, who attend the informal, traditional organ music Wednesday church. But it seems as fast as we lose someone, we gain someone. The informal modern music Sunday services just combined into one. However, Sunday School and Bible Study attendance are up, and more people are involved in various ministries and missions. The Confirmation class and youth ministry are larger, and the modern Wednesday evening worship service that happens before those two is much larger. Ministry to immigrants and a partnership with an African-language church of the same denomination is growing and thriving.

The Sunday church formal, traditional Sunday morning service is packed, Thursday Matins is about the same, Thursday night special occasion services are full, and Pastor and Vicar have full Bible Studies. The previous Vicar even taught a Greek class. This church is much more academic in focus than the Wednesday church.

The two churches serve very different communities, and both do a good job.


The attendance statistics paint a more accurate picture of the Sunday church, but Church is more than numbers. Overall, the denomination shows declining membership. IDK if it's aging out and people going to church at congregate living facilities, people moving to pre-Trib churches, moving to another (small) denomination with the same doctrine that refuses to adopt modern worship, churches trying to be "relevant," changing demographics/languages, or a host of other factors, or some combination.

I have noticed churches in my denomination, which retain the traditional, liturgical service, don't have an issue with declining membership/attendance. Part of that is people transferring from churches, which do away with the old service. Part of it is people leaving a couple very liberal denominations and joining ours. Those people end up in both modern and traditional worshipping churches, though. It's definitely not just old people at the liturgical churches

I suspect that if The Lord tarries, the denomination overall will grow, at least around here, although with fewer English-speaking congregations, and likely the addition of congregations of various languages. I wonder if any of the churches with modern services will switch back or add a traditional service Several in this area have either started a service(s) using a language(s) used by some immigrants, or started a daughter congregation using such a language. Immigrants are also being sent to Seminary, Coloquy, and Pastors from the partner denominations in whatever countries are serving as Pastors. From cultural perspects besides language, these churches are attracting huge numbers of immigrants, whether already Christian, became Christian since getting here, or seeking.