Eric Marrapodi, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor, recently wrote about the experiences of American faith communities during the first decade of the new millennium. His article focuses on The Hartford Institute for Religion Research recently released report titled “A Decade of Change in American Congregations, 2000 – 2010,” which was authored by David A. Roozen. Among the findings:
- Forty-seven percent of congregations that said their worship experience was “innovative and contemporary” reported high spiritual vitality, versus 17% that said their congregations were “neither innovative nor contemporary.”
- The vast majority of congregations implemented electronic communications in the past decade. Recently, many have turned to social networking as well, with 41% using Facebook to communicate with congregants.
- Congregations are also having hard times financially, the survey found. In 2000, 31% of survey participants reported excellent financial health. In 2010, that number plummeted to just 14%.
So What?
In short, “religious health and vitality are weaker than they were 10 years ago.”
Given the decline in how congregations characterize their financial health over the last decade and the decline in church membership and attendance over the last several decades (especially in mainline denominations), it seems reasonable to assume that the next decade will be a time when religious health and vitality grow even weaker.
- How might this overall trend be reversed? How likely is such a reversal during the next decade?
- Over the last decade, how has your congregation changed? If it has become healthier, how can it serve as a resource to other churches in your area that may be struggling? If it has become less vital, how can it leverage the wisdom of those who are growing stronger?