According to the latest Gallup survey, “Over three-quarters of Americans (77%) say religion is losing its influence on American life, while 20% say religion’s influence is increasing.” While the overall view tends toward pessimism, this year’s results are the most pessimistic about the influence of religion since 1970.
So What?
At a time when the vast majority agree that religion is declining, an almost equal number (75%) believe that it would be positive for our nation if more Americans were religious. The gap between what people perceive as reality and what they believe is ideal is significant.
With this in mind, how can your local congregational capitalize on this moment in history when roughly 3 in 4 Americans think religion is losing its influence yet an almost equal number believe an increase in the number of religious Americans would be positive for our country?