Some Shifts in Christianity

1. Women drive most faith participation, with the exception of home churches or house churches. A majority of weekly churchgoers are women (53%). Small groups that meet for prayer or Bible study (60%) and Sunday school programs for adults (59%) are also more likely to be attended by women. Similarly, a majority of church volunteers (57%) are females. Home churches are the only type of participatory religious involvement in which most attenders are men (56%).

2. Religious activities are typically missing single adults, especially those who have never been married. Just less than half of Americans are unmarried; however, the Barna study found that two-thirds of those who attend church, go to small groups, and participate in Sunday school are married; and 69% of church volunteers are married. Furthermore, single adults who have never experienced matrimony – that is, they are not currently divorced, separated or widowed – represent fewer than one-fifth of the adults involved, with worship attendance and volunteerism the least likely to attract these never-attached adults. House churches fared better in this regard, reflecting a 50-50 split of married and unmarried participants.

3. Attenders of larger churches involve themselves in the broadest spectrum of faith activities. Americans who typically attend a church of at least 500 adults were among the most likely to also attend small groups, and house churches, and to volunteer. Those attending a medium-sized congregation (101 to 499 adults) were among the most likely to attend small groups and Sunday school classes. No notable patterns emerged among smaller churches.

4. Personal Bible reading is most common among small group attenders. In comparing a personal spiritual activity with participatory involvement, the study showed that two-thirds of church attenders (67%) said they had read the Bible outside of church in the last week – whether their church was a conventional or house church. Small group attenders were more likely to read the Bible personally (84%). Bible reading levels among church volunteers (77%) and Sunday school attenders (77%) were sandwiched between the other forms of group engagement.

1) While it is awesome that women are more involved in “faith participation,” it is critical to raise up men in the church. This has always been a weak point for many churches. We need to do whatever we can to disciple men. This is not an easy task, but it is something that the Church needs to commit to or we will find ourselves in a difficult situation within the family structure.

2) We have to reach out to the single adults in the Church. It was interesting that many more single adults participated in “house churches.” I think it is a longing for true biblical community rather than the church structure or institution that they are repelled by at times.

3) The trend of larger churches having more people involved in small group ministry (LIFE Groups), shows the need for people wanting “to know and to be known.” Just by going to Sunday Celebration is not enough, but we have to encourage people to get involved in a biblical community through LIFE Groups.

4) When our lives are mingled in with other people then there is greater accountability. The reason why it is easy to “hide” in larger churches is because there is a sense of anonymity. But when people are involved in LIFE Groups then there is a greater emphasis on daily spiritual disciplines and accountability.