A news story headline grabbed my attention: “Why Americans Left Church.”¹ The headline is not surprising, nor is the story an outlier. The trend in Western culture away from church and, more specifically, Christianity, is occurring with increasing speed. A Gallup poll in 2019 said, “U.S. church membership was 70% or higher from 1937 through 1976, falling modestly to an average of 68% in the 1970s through the 1990s. The past 20 years have seen an acceleration in the drop-off, with a 20-percentage-point decline since 1999 and more than half of that change occurring since the start of the current decade.”² 

       The reasons for the drop in church membership are many. COVID has certainly played a part, especially in the last three years. It is not unusual to meet someone who admits they stopped going to church because of virus fears and never returned, presumably because they found other worship alternatives. The younger generation is often blamed for their failure to follow in the footsteps of generations before. They state reasons, such as hypocritical and judgmental members and leadership. Others say the church is out of step with contemporary culture; it needs to get woke, bring in Christian rappers, or set up a stage that looks like a rock concert to bring in more members. 

       The sad reality is that a dark curtain is falling across America. It is a curtain of hopelessness, despair, and debauchery. This reality is, however, in contradiction to the mainstream media, who splash their rainbow colors and gush of tolerance and diversity. Many churches and members are succumbing to these siren calls. The preaching of the cross of Jesus Christ and repentance seem so antiquated. So, it seems one of two things happens to churches: either they fade into oblivion, or else they try to mimic this crazed culture by mixing it with godly worship, forming a syncretism that God hates. Israel’s history furnishes us with an example of this in the story of Elijah on Mt Carmel. Elijah says in I Kings 18:21, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

       Let’s go back to the article mentioned in the first paragraph. After noting the “regular” negative influences facing churches - for example, religious abuse and moral corruption – the article goes on to state its main premise: Churches are losing members because church does not seem to matter so much anymore. The business of church has become commercialized to the point it has become another item to check off throughout the week. 

       Are there some things that we can learn from this? An obvious observation is immediately made that if church does not matter, it must be because the church membership’s relationship with God does not matter either. And this is true. A church cannot be more spiritual than the spirituality of its members. Are my church leaders preaching the complete Word of God in purity? Am I on fire for God? Am I, at times, overwhelmed by how much God loves me? Does my love for God, in return, flow into my family at home, my family at church, my co-workers, and everyone I meet? Do I support and participate in my congregation’s services and volunteer for outreach? Is my personal life free from carnality and distractions? If my answer to these questions is yes, and if a majority of church brothers and sisters say yes, is it safe to say that my church will not be a part of the current trend of membership decline? I think we know the answer. 

       Another observation is made by the author of the article. Churches are requiring less and less of its members. Come dressed however you choose, construct your own theology into something palatable for you, and leave to live your own life accountable to no one. It is free; take it or leave it. Come again if you want. Meet early for coffee and doughnuts. Nursery care is provided for children, and rousing music is provided by worship leaders/entertainers. A theology is preached that is caring, encouraging, and positive – staying away from anything controversial or negative (which happens to include sins of the flesh common to man, such as pride, selfishness, and carnality). But the sad thing is all this can be had without church or church membership. Since YouTube, social clubs, hunting buddies, and music concerts all provide the same thing, why go to church? 

       To the sincere Christian, church membership is a commitment. When we commit to something, we pledge to support it. We no longer retain sole custody of it. We become our brother’s keeper. Part of me becomes them. Part of them becomes me. We are all part of God’s family. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular (1Co 12:27). 

       In a healthy body, each member has a place and commits to the whole. This is true in physiology, politics, committees, families, and churches. What are some ways to encourage our need for each member and grow in committing ourselves?

       The verses preceding the verse quoted above are as follows: And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it (1Co 12:21-26). 

       It seems that some in the Corinthian church felt their own gifts were superior and more important than others. Not only was Paul saying that every member had his needful part in the body, but that those whose functions were more obscure or hidden were to be given more respect than those that were very visible. It is very possible and even likely that this very message is one we sorely need. How easy it is for us to have backseat members who are members in name only, uninvolved either because they do not want to be or because others sideline them. We recognize there are times that members need to be set back for disciplinary reasons, but is it possible that some are “set back” in our minds when they should be given a chance? We know that God calls some to leadership and that some have natural God-given gifts that need to be utilized to further the Kingdom. Maybe the brother who gets sidelined could “grow” a gift that would be a real asset to the church if given a chance. Verse 18 reminds us that God sets the members as it pleases him. May we allow God to have His way in the brotherhood; He is the builder of the church. A church where the members are on fire for God and are busy in the work of the Lord will not be deserted for lack of interest.

       While many in this world are completely under the spell of the materialism and commercialism of Babylon the Great (Revelation 17), there are some coming out of this Babylon who are longing for a church fellowship where they are wanted, needed, and accepted. May the Light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ shine out of our churches and be a beacon of hope to these seekers.

Peach Bottom, PA

Footnotes:
Why Americans Left Church - The American Conservative
U.S. Church Membership Down Sharply in Past Two Decades (gallup.com)