America has set record lows for people identifying as Christian, according to Pew Research, and churches are closing at record rates, according to Lifeway Research.
It’s possible to find fulfillment outside of faith, but let’s look at 10 reasons why people are leaving and why they actually might end up back in relationship with Jesus.
1. Our Communities are Virtual
Americans have found a community online. Gone are the days where church is where you meet people. According to Pew, 68% of adults use Facebook and 47% use Instagram.
Young people’s use of other social media is even higher.
However, the fulfillment of virtual friendship is different and less impactful than face-to-face interactions. When people want a more human interaction they may end up visiting the most welcoming place – church!
2. Americans Have Morals Figured Out
Americans use their online community to build their own values. Anyone with the internet can see things being praised as virtuous or condemned as vice. When they trust their online community they adopt that community’s virtues.
This leads to a constantly changing landscape of values and morals, though, and could lead people to seek a sturdier foundation that Jesus talks about in Matthew 7:24, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
3. The Healthy Don’t Need a Doctor
Americans don’t need the Divine Healer anymore.
Modern medicine is a gift, but modern medical care is about band aid solutions.
Christianity is the reason we have hospitals and medical care today, but it started because Christians treated the entire person. Now, we just solve symptom issues instead of root causes.
Eventually Americans may get tired of putting band aid solutions on their body and lean on God who heals the soul.
We read in Exodus: “I am the Lord, who heals you.”
4. Professional and Kids’ Sports
Sundays are for sports.
The NFL plays almost all day Sunday, and kids travel sports dominate an entire weekend.
Unfortunately, this can lead to burnout and resentment of how lazy sports fans can be on Sunday or how demanding travel sports can become. Parents will crave rest and rejuvenation on Sunday.
Jesus does tell us “The Sabbath was made for man” in Luke 2:17.
5. We Found Peace Elsewhere
Meditation without Christ.
A common Christian practice has been rebranded – the US meditation and mindfulness industry is worth over $2 billion according to NCHS, and the number of adults who meditate has tripled.
Pursuing silence is a great thing!
The philosopher Blaise Pascal said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”
We can learn to regulate our emotions and find peace regardless of external factors. This pursuit of peace may lead Americans back to the Prince of Peace.
6. Americans are Happy Enough
We rank in the top 25 in the world happiness index, and American adults over 60 are in the top 10 for happiness.
These statistics are actually trending in a poor direction, though. America dropped in ranking and the younger generations rank even lower in happiness.
It’s good to desire happiness and Americans may realize true happiness comes from Christ!
7. Education Alternatives
The government can teach our kids. Up until the pandemic, enrollment in public schools was growing while enrollment in Christian schools was diminishing.
Since 2020, however, the trend is reversing. Parents are taking back the primary education of children and Christian schools are booming.
8. We Don’t Have Time
It’s inconvenient. We’re catching up on house projects, homework, or traveling. Church can be tough to get to that’s for sure.
The to-do list doesn’t get shorter when Church is on the calendar.
Perhaps handling the stress of the to-do list gets easier and that might be a good reason for people to make fellowship and praise part of their Sunday mornings.
9. Sunday Signals the End of the Weekend
Sunday is the day to prepare for the work or school week ahead. It’s everyone’s least favorite day of the week.
In the business world there’s a phrase that refers to the anxiety that comes on Sunday: “the Sunday scaries.”
Work and school are difficult. People are trying to find all sorts of ways to deal with the end of the weekend.
There’s hope that people give faith an opportunity to ease their stress and anxiety on Sunday evenings.
10. We Don’t Want the Strict Rules
America is the land of the free. Society has frowned upon Christianity’s chains that prevent freedom and many Americans have followed that rebellion into a life where they can do what they want, when they want.
However, John 8:34 says, Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.”
There’s hope that Americans might learn to love the freedom Christ offers. Either way, pursuing true freedom, peace and happiness are worthy endeavors!
Whoops! 12 Christian Convictions that Drive Non-Christians Bananas
In a world where people have different beliefs and ways of life, it’s important to talk and understand each other. Christians have their own particular beliefs, but sometimes these ideas can make non-Christians scratch their heads or feel a bit uneasy.
We’re not here to judge, but to help everyone understand each other better. Let’s have open and respectful conversations to bridge the gap between different perspectives.
With that being said… Let’s take a look at some common Christian opinions or beliefs that might make non-Christians upset.
They may not be what you think…
Whoops! 12 Christian Convictions that Drive Non-Christians Bananas
The 10 Most Confusing Things Jesus Ever Said or Did
Think Jesus is always polite, meek, and mild-mannered? Think again.
While we know that Jesus is perfect love in human form, he did say many things that are hard for us (as humans with limited understanding) to wrap our heads around.
I hope, that when we get to Heaven, we’ll be able to ask him, “What did you mean by that??” but in the meantime, here are 10 questionable things Jesus said or did that still cause us to scratch our heads in confusion two thousand years later.
The 10 Most Confusing Things Jesus Ever Said or Did
