Reflecting on the Western Church.

The modern, western church is struggling. This is not new to anyone. Most churches tend to cast blame outward. However, before any transformation can take place there needs to be an inward consideration to evaluate how the church communicates and engages with people. Even though it is not usually said, most churches don’t understand why people don’t understand the value churches provide. There must be an honest look at where the local church struggles and where the local church has succeeded in communication and engagement.

Change your perspective and look at the church through the community’s eyes.

It is easy to get caught up in the church's day-to-day activities. Between meetings and preparation, it is easy to lose purpose and intentionality. When this happens, things begin to spiral downward. Slowly at first, and then before you know it, the local church is a husk of what it used to be. When the church breaks free from the routine and becomes purposeful and intentional, great things begin to happen.

Average Church Size

In the Western church landscape:

  • 68% of congregations host fewer than 100 members.

  • Within these, over 31% consist of congregations with under 50 individuals.

  • In contrast, only 32% of churches surpass the 100-member mark.

Church Attendance

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20% of Americans attend church weekly.

41% of Americans attending church monthly or more.

-Gallup

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57% of Americans are seldom or never in a religious service.

-Gallup

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22% of Boomers have stopped attending church altogether

-Gallup

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16% of Christians who attended church pre-pandemic have stopped attending entirely.

— Barna Group

Why people go to church

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10% of people go to church because they are looking for community.

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44% of people go to church to feel closer to God.

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27% of people go to church to learn about God.

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22% or people go to church because the Bible says to fellowship with other believers.

  • Barna Group

The reality of the experience

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Less than 20% of church goers feel close to God on a Monthly Basis

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Less than 10% of church goers feel they learned something about God or Jesus the last time they attended.

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61% say they did not gain any new insights regarding faith when they last attended.

  • Barna Group