Why Do People Attend Church?

Will Mancini is the founder of the church vision coaching service Auxano and the author of the blog "Clarity Changes Everything". He writes that there are three reasons why people come to church for the first time:

Something is Missing. The seeming fullness of a life (full of appointments, responsibilities, comforts, distractions, opportunities, etc.) does not indicate a full and healthy spirit. People may have everything, but a life-event or a time of reflection leaves them wondering what is missing. Are all the accomplishments of career, health and relationship enough? Mancini asks, "How does your church equip believers to engage people who are missing something?"

I would suggest that we engage others most effectively and with integrity when we tell our own stories. The stories of the faith are most compelling when we own them. What would be missing from our lives if we did not have faith in Jesus Christ?

We may not be able to accuse a friend, colleague or family member of having an "empty life" (how can we really know?), but we can talk clearly about what makes our life full. How does faith inform our purpose in life?

Something is Broken. It is my experience that when I move to serve a new congregation it takes two to three years to hear the real hurts of congregation members. I will minister to the public pain, illness and death, but the deep hurts stay buried until there is a level of trust. Many people come to church hurting. The hurt might be a dull ache from life regrets or the sharp pain of a marriage that is falling apart. Mancini asks, "Whether people are overtly hurting or trafficking in hidden hurt, how is your church poised to connect with them? Do you have an atmosphere that is conductive to restoration and where it is safe to be 'messed up'?"

These are insightful questions. I believe that the majority of church attenders desire with all their hearts that church be a safe and restorative place for healing. And yet, church cannot be that kind of place without congregation members willing to be vulnerable themselves. A church that is safe for those whose lives are "messed up" is a church where a good number of those present understand that "messed up" is a typical state of being.

One of the greatest tools I've been given in my service as a pastor is permission to refer those who are hurting to those who have gone through the same struggles. I have seen people experience death of a loved one, chronic pain, recovery from addiction or bankruptcy, then minister to others from those broken places. It is humbling and it makes faith real.

As the Body of Christ, we depend on all the "parts" of the body to lead a full life. We know that God does not desire that we go it alone. How can we demonstrate in our worship, our small groups and classes, and in our mission efforts a vulnerability, an acceptance of our own brokenness that will help others?

Something is New. Another reason that people attend church for the first time is because something new is happening in their lives: a new marriage, a new home, a new baby, a new job in a new location, new friends. Mancini challenges the church, "What does your church do to leverage the 'new zones' that people in your community are going through?"

This is a very real reason why people attend Brighton First for the first time. They may be sending their first child to preschool at First Steps Preschool on our church's campus. They may be new residents in the Brighton area or be newly married. They may have a new baby and are seeking a church home in which to raise their children. They may even be new to the Christian faith.

Is our church prepared to welcome people at new stages? Can we make any assumptions about the people who choose to visit Brighton First?

We cannot simply be prepared to be "us" and expect new attenders to figure out how to fit in. Whether people attend to explore what's missing from their lives, to find healing in brokenness or to make a new start, it is the responsibility of the congregation of Brighton First to meet people where they are with a welcoming spirit.

Why Do People Attend Church?

Will Mancini is the founder of the church vision coaching service Auxano and the author of the blog "Clarity Changes Everything". He writes that there are three reasons why people come to church for the first time:

Something is Missing. The seeming fullness of a life (full of appointments, responsibilities, comforts, distractions, opportunities, etc.) does not indicate a full and healthy spirit. People may have everything, but a life-event or a time of reflection leaves them wondering what is missing. Are all the accomplishments of career, health and relationship enough? Mancini asks, "How does your church equip believers to engage people who are missing something?"

I would suggest that we engage others most effectively and with integrity when we tell our own stories. The stories of the faith are most compelling when we own them. What would be missing from our lives if we did not have faith in Jesus Christ?

We may not be able to accuse a friend, colleague or family member of having an "empty life" (how can we really know?), but we can talk clearly about what makes our life full. How does faith inform our purpose in life?

Something is Broken. It is my experience that when I move to serve a new congregation it takes two to three years to hear the real hurts of congregation members. I will minister to the public pain, illness and death, but the deep hurts stay buried until there is a level of trust. Many people come to church hurting. The hurt might be a dull ache from life regrets or the sharp pain of a marriage that is falling apart. Mancini asks, "Whether people are overtly hurting or trafficking in hidden hurt, how is your church poised to connect with them? Do you have an atmosphere that is conductive to restoration and where it is safe to be 'messed up'?"

These are insightful questions. I believe that the majority of church attenders desire with all their hearts that church be a safe and restorative place for healing. And yet, church cannot be that kind of place without congregation members willing to be vulnerable themselves. A church that is safe for those whose lives are "messed up" is a church where a good number of those present understand that "messed up" is a typical state of being.

One of the greatest tools I've been given in my service as a pastor is permission to refer those who are hurting to those who have gone through the same struggles. I have seen people experience death of a loved one, chronic pain, recovery from addiction or bankruptcy, then minister to others from those broken places. It is humbling and it makes faith real.

As the Body of Christ, we depend on all the "parts" of the body to lead a full life. We know that God does not desire that we go it alone. How can we demonstrate in our worship, our small groups and classes, and in our mission efforts a vulnerability, an acceptance of our own brokenness that will help others?

Something is New. Another reason that people attend church for the first time is because something new is happening in their lives: a new marriage, a new home, a new baby, a new job in a new location, new friends. Mancini challenges the church, "What does your church do to leverage the 'new zones' that people in your community are going through?"

This is a very real reason why people attend Brighton First for the first time. They may be sending their first child to preschool at First Steps Preschool on our church's campus. They may be new residents in the Brighton area or be newly married. They may have a new baby and are seeking a church home in which to raise their children. They may even be new to the Christian faith.

Is our church prepared to welcome people at new stages? Can we make any assumptions about the people who choose to visit Brighton First?

We cannot simply be prepared to be "us" and expect new attenders to figure out how to fit in. Whether people attend to explore what's missing from their lives, to find healing in brokenness or to make a new start, it is the responsibility of the congregation of Brighton First to meet people where they are with a welcoming spirit.

Dedicated Church Members Attending Church Less Often

I recently read a blog entry by Carey Nieuwhof, the teaching pastor at Connexus Church in Toronto, Ontario. The title of his article caught my attention, "10 Reasons Even Committed Church Attenders Are Attending Church Less Often." 

At Brighton First, we have noticed a growing trend in weekly attendance. We would expect that the marginally involved congregation members might not attend regularly. In the last few years, we've also noted that congregation members who are deeply involved in ministry and/or church leadership are not attending regularly. For some, attending church every 3 - 6 weeks is the "new" regular attendance.

I was interested in what Nieuwhof cited asreasons for the drop in weekly attendance that many churches are experiencing. He listed these 10:

1. Greater Affluence. People have more money and, therefore, have more options on Sunday morning.
2. Higher Focus on Kids' Activities. In the Brighton area we see a yearly increase in the number of sports practices and games that are scheduled for Sunday morning. In addition, if athletic or academic competitions take families out of town for a full day on Saturday or all weekend, Sunday morning worship can be a low priority.
3. More Travel. Greater mobility, the distances family member and friends live from each other, and affluence contribute to persons traveling away from home more.
4. Blended and Single Parent Families. Attendance for families is sometimes determined by child custody schedules.
5. Online Options. Just like television evangelists have been the worship option for some in years past, today, there are many live stream and pod cast worship options. There is no need to attend worship to catch a weekly message or listen to praise music.
6. The Cultural Disappearance of Guilt. There was a time in some communities when any new acquaintance would be asked, "What church do you attend?" There was a cultural expectation that most people were connected to a faith institution. This is not the case anymore. Very few people are going to question why a person is grocery shopping, golfing, or washing the car instead of attending worship. There is no pressure or guilt.
7. Self-Directed Spirituality. The practices of spiritual seekers has changed. Many see no need for the authority of a religious institution or a religious leader to guide spirituality. Internet sources, books and alternative spiritual activities are individually chosen.
8. Failure to See a Direct Benefit. Nieuwhof writes, "People always make time for the things they value most. If they're not making time for church, that tells you something." Church leaders have to ask, "How is worship and the life of the church contributing value to the lives of those who attend?"
9. Valuing Attendance Over Engagement. Some make "attendance" the primary goal in relationship to their worshiping community. If attendance once per month is the basic goal, then seeing church as a place to engage in spiritual growth, community building and service fall lower on the priority list.
10. Massive Culture Shift. The number of people who check "none" when asked about their religious affiliation is rising. As a growing percent of the population doesn't even think about a life of faith, church attendance continues to shrink.

Brighton First is challenged to offer relevant worship and life-changing ministry in the midst of cultural trends and practices. The questions we ask ourselves need to be bigger than "What brand of coffee should we serve?" and more relevant to the challenge than "Should our pastor wear a clergy robe?" We need to ask which of these trends, if any, are applicable to our church and the Brighton area. And with these realities, how can we offer Jesus Christ in a way that will reach people and change lives?

Some would say that we are living as Christians in a discouraging time. Another perspective, and one that I hold to on my best days, is that we live in a time of opportunity. Having Christ in our lives does make a difference. We have a hope that cannot be shaken. We live in a time when many, burdened and distracted by this modern life, need to hear this compelling truth. Dropping attendance is a wake up call. How will we tell people about Jesus?

Dedicated Church Members Attending Church Less Often

I recently read a blog entry by Carey Nieuwhof, the teaching pastor at Connexus Church in Toronto, Ontario. The title of his article caught my attention, "10 Reasons Even Committed Church Attenders Are Attending Church Less Often." 

At Brighton First, we have noticed a growing trend in weekly attendance. We would expect that the marginally involved congregation members might not attend regularly. In the last few years, we've also noted that congregation members who are deeply involved in ministry and/or church leadership are not attending regularly. For some, attending church every 3 - 6 weeks is the "new" regular attendance.

I was interested in what Nieuwhof cited asreasons for the drop in weekly attendance that many churches are experiencing. He listed these 10:

1. Greater Affluence. People have more money and, therefore, have more options on Sunday morning.
2. Higher Focus on Kids' Activities. In the Brighton area we see a yearly increase in the number of sports practices and games that are scheduled for Sunday morning. In addition, if athletic or academic competitions take families out of town for a full day on Saturday or all weekend, Sunday morning worship can be a low priority.
3. More Travel. Greater mobility, the distances family member and friends live from each other, and affluence contribute to persons traveling away from home more.
4. Blended and Single Parent Families. Attendance for families is sometimes determined by child custody schedules.
5. Online Options. Just like television evangelists have been the worship option for some in years past, today, there are many live stream and pod cast worship options. There is no need to attend worship to catch a weekly message or listen to praise music.
6. The Cultural Disappearance of Guilt. There was a time in some communities when any new acquaintance would be asked, "What church do you attend?" There was a cultural expectation that most people were connected to a faith institution. This is not the case anymore. Very few people are going to question why a person is grocery shopping, golfing, or washing the car instead of attending worship. There is no pressure or guilt.
7. Self-Directed Spirituality. The practices of spiritual seekers has changed. Many see no need for the authority of a religious institution or a religious leader to guide spirituality. Internet sources, books and alternative spiritual activities are individually chosen.
8. Failure to See a Direct Benefit. Nieuwhof writes, "People always make time for the things they value most. If they're not making time for church, that tells you something." Church leaders have to ask, "How is worship and the life of the church contributing value to the lives of those who attend?"
9. Valuing Attendance Over Engagement. Some make "attendance" the primary goal in relationship to their worshiping community. If attendance once per month is the basic goal, then seeing church as a place to engage in spiritual growth, community building and service fall lower on the priority list.
10. Massive Culture Shift. The number of people who check "none" when asked about their religious affiliation is rising. As a growing percent of the population doesn't even think about a life of faith, church attendance continues to shrink.

Brighton First is challenged to offer relevant worship and life-changing ministry in the midst of cultural trends and practices. The questions we ask ourselves need to be bigger than "What brand of coffee should we serve?" and more relevant to the challenge than "Should our pastor wear a clergy robe?" We need to ask which of these trends, if any, are applicable to our church and the Brighton area. And with these realities, how can we offer Jesus Christ in a way that will reach people and change lives?

Some would say that we are living as Christians in a discouraging time. Another perspective, and one that I hold to on my best days, is that we live in a time of opportunity. Having Christ in our lives does make a difference. We have a hope that cannot be shaken. We live in a time when many, burdened and distracted by this modern life, need to hear this compelling truth. Dropping attendance is a wake up call. How will we tell people about Jesus?

Thoughts on Detroit Annual Conference Statistician's Report

I am spending the weekend in East Lansing, on Michigan State's campus, for the Michigan Area Annual Conference. This is a meeting of all the United Methodist Clergy in the state, as well as lay representatives from all of the United Methodist Churches. We gather for inspiring worship, this year in the Breslin Center, and for the business of our conference.

Much like at the annual local church meeting, the church conference, we hear reports and elect officers for various commissions and boards. We also receive statistical information from the previous year.

The missions report was inspiring. It was wonderful to hear that the United Methodists of Michigan have given over $800,000 to curb Malaria around the world. That is nearly $10 for every United Methodist church member in Michigan. We heard a report from the United Methodist relief effort for those affected by the water crisis in Flint. Methodists from all over the world are contributing to the effort of United Methodist Church in Flint to bring water and filter systems to the people of Flint. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has committed to long term assistance, especially for those who have been effected by lead poinsoning.

In other mission news, there has been an increase in the number of participants in Volunteers in Mission, the program for sending United Methodists out for hands-on-mission all over the world. Also, it is estimated that 280,000 Michigan community members have been served by our United Methodist Churches. At Brighton First, that includes those who use the VINA Dental Clinic, our Fish and Loaves free dinners, our  foster care ministry Hope's Closet and our bedding ministry.

The Annual Conference also heard the sobering news about our church's continuing decline in attendance and membership. Sunday school attendance also continues to decline. The bright spot was the announcement that there have been more professions of faith to become church members than there have been in previous years. 

One statistic that struck me was that there were 2,055 new church members received in the Detroit Annual Conference in 2015, and that the number of church members who died during 2015 was less than those who came to membership. Some assume that the decline in United Methodist Church membership is predominently the effect of an aging church. The people are dying and the numbers are decreasing. This is not exactly true. The decline in church attendance and membership is due to an increase in non-participating members and members who choose to transfer their membership to other churches.

Lovett Weems, a leader in the United Methodist Church, says we are called to see the work of the church differently than we have in past decades. The old way of doing church was to gather to communicate and teach the people. The new way of being the church is people of faith communicating to gather and serve.

If our worship gatherings are not relevant and transformational, and if we are not calling, equipping and sending our congregation to be in ministry in our communities, people will seek the movement of God's spirit in other places.

One of the concerns mentioned in the Vital Church Initiative Consultation Report that Brighton First received in 2015 was that we are a church that does "transactional" mission very well. We meet the physical needs of people in signifcant way. The Consultation Report called Brighton First to be in "relational" mission with community members and to see worship as a place to connect powerfully with God on the way to being change agents in the world. 

Thoughts on Detroit Annual Conference Statistician's Report

I am spending the weekend in East Lansing, on Michigan State's campus, for the Michigan Area Annual Conference. This is a meeting of all the United Methodist Clergy in the state, as well as lay representatives from all of the United Methodist Churches. We gather for inspiring worship, this year in the Breslin Center, and for the business of our conference.

Much like at the annual local church meeting, the church conference, we hear reports and elect officers for various commissions and boards. We also receive statistical information from the previous year.

The missions report was inspiring. It was wonderful to hear that the United Methodists of Michigan have given over $800,000 to curb Malaria around the world. That is nearly $10 for every United Methodist church member in Michigan. We heard a report from the United Methodist relief effort for those affected by the water crisis in Flint. Methodists from all over the world are contributing to the effort of United Methodist Church in Flint to bring water and filter systems to the people of Flint. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has committed to long term assistance, especially for those who have been effected by lead poinsoning.

In other mission news, there has been an increase in the number of participants in Volunteers in Mission, the program for sending United Methodists out for hands-on-mission all over the world. Also, it is estimated that 280,000 Michigan community members have been served by our United Methodist Churches. At Brighton First, that includes those who use the VINA Dental Clinic, our Fish and Loaves free dinners, our  foster care ministry Hope's Closet and our bedding ministry.

The Annual Conference also heard the sobering news about our church's continuing decline in attendance and membership. Sunday school attendance also continues to decline. The bright spot was the announcement that there have been more professions of faith to become church members than there have been in previous years. 

One statistic that struck me was that there were 2,055 new church members received in the Detroit Annual Conference in 2015, and that the number of church members who died during 2015 was less than those who came to membership. Some assume that the decline in United Methodist Church membership is predominently the effect of an aging church. The people are dying and the numbers are decreasing. This is not exactly true. The decline in church attendance and membership is due to an increase in non-participating members and members who choose to transfer their membership to other churches.

Lovett Weems, a leader in the United Methodist Church, says we are called to see the work of the church differently than we have in past decades. The old way of doing church was to gather to communicate and teach the people. The new way of being the church is people of faith communicating to gather and serve.

If our worship gatherings are not relevant and transformational, and if we are not calling, equipping and sending our congregation to be in ministry in our communities, people will seek the movement of God's spirit in other places.

One of the concerns mentioned in the Vital Church Initiative Consultation Report that Brighton First received in 2015 was that we are a church that does "transactional" mission very well. We meet the physical needs of people in signifcant way. The Consultation Report called Brighton First to be in "relational" mission with community members and to see worship as a place to connect powerfully with God on the way to being change agents in the world. 

Brighton First's Report to the High Five Program

On Saturday February 28, Rev. Mark Spaw, the district superintendent of the Ann Arbor District, recognized area United Methodist churches that had achievements in the areas of membership growth and church membership. The recognition was based on quarterly reports that Rev. Spaw asks of churches. The reports include quarterly totals for membership, average church attendance and financial giving, as well as notes on ways that church's are growing spiritually.

Over the last eight years, Brighton First has offered a "mixed bag" with these quarterly reports. On the one hand our membership numbers, after being adjusted for errors, have been increasing. In addition, we see an annual growth in the financial generosity of our congregation members. We continue to decline in weekly church attendance. In 2008 and 2009 our weekly attendance averaged over 400. Our weekly attendance average in 2015 was 349.

Interestingly, while weekly attendance has declined, the number of people who attend church during the year has not. What we've found is that "regular" worship attendance, for many people, is not weekly but every few weeks. There are many congregation members who attend every 4 to 5 weeks.

District Superintendent, Rev. Mark Spaw, recognizes
area churches that have grown in attendance and membership.

Part of Brighton First's commitment to Vital Church Initiative is to seek ways to increase commitment to weekly worship and fellowship. We commit to this not to get better "numbers", but so that knowledge and love of God grows in our community.

Brighton First's Report to the High Five Program

On Saturday February 28, Rev. Mark Spaw, the district superintendent of the Ann Arbor District, recognized area United Methodist churches that had achievements in the areas of membership growth and church membership. The recognition was based on quarterly reports that Rev. Spaw asks of churches. The reports include quarterly totals for membership, average church attendance and financial giving, as well as notes on ways that church's are growing spiritually.

Over the last eight years, Brighton First has offered a "mixed bag" with these quarterly reports. On the one hand our membership numbers, after being adjusted for errors, have been increasing. In addition, we see an annual growth in the financial generosity of our congregation members. We continue to decline in weekly church attendance. In 2008 and 2009 our weekly attendance averaged over 400. Our weekly attendance average in 2015 was 349.

Interestingly, while weekly attendance has declined, the number of people who attend church during the year has not. What we've found is that "regular" worship attendance, for many people, is not weekly but every few weeks. There are many congregation members who attend every 4 to 5 weeks.

District Superintendent, Rev. Mark Spaw, recognizes
area churches that have grown in attendance and membership.

Part of Brighton First's commitment to Vital Church Initiative is to seek ways to increase commitment to weekly worship and fellowship. We commit to this not to get better "numbers", but so that knowledge and love of God grows in our community.