Ten Years of Trends in the American Church

Ed Stetzer highlights on his blog a ten-year study that reveals changes in American congregations since 1998. This study, the National Congregation Study Wave II, directed by Mark Chaves, a professor at Duke University, compared over 1,505 congregations in 2006-2007 with 1,234 congregations in 1998.

What are the notable changes in American congregations since 1998? Click here for Ed’s commentary or here for a link to the study. I’ve briefly summarized some of the findings below. What are your thoughts?

Worship style. Churches are much less formal than they were in 1998.

Technology. In 1998 only 17 percent of congregations had websites. In 2006-2007, 44 percent of congregations had websites. Today almost three-fourths of regular church attendees go to a church that maintains a website.

Diversity. Congregations are more ethnically diverse than they were in 1998.

Age of leadership. The lead pastor’s age increased from 49 in 1998 to 53 in 2006, a surprisingly sharp increase given the attention that the issue of young leadership garners.

Size. One aspect of the American church that did not change over the ten-year period was the median size of a congregation. It remained the same at 75 attendees.

Does “Merry Christmas” Matter?

What is the American preference for Christmas greetings? Pew Research recently posted data from a survey:

When given the option of hearing “Merry Christmas” or a less religious greeting — like “Happy Holidays” — in stores and businesses, Americans choose Merry Christmas by a 60%-to-23% margin. When specifically given “doesn’t matter” as an option, however, a 45%-plurality have no preference for how they are greeted during the holiday season — 42% want Merry Christmas and 12% prefer the less religious greeting.

This survey focuses simply on a preference for Christmas greetings. Making conclusions on broader cultural issues with this data is difficult. But I am encouraged to see that many people still prefer “Merry Christmas” over “Happy Holidays.” What is discouraging is that, when given the option, many gravitate towards apathy (it “doesn’t matter”).

How we greet strangers, friends, and coworkers does in some small way show our religious leanings. And it does matter to a degree. Most importantly, however, may we be willing to show through our lives why the Christmas message is so urgent. After all, it’s not about a cultural battle over how to greet people during the holidays. It’s about reaching people so that they can see through the manger why the cross is central to salvation. That’s what makes “Merry Christmas” matter.

Merry Christmas Church Forward readers!

The Power of Right Now

Great leaders are typically great organizers and communicators of vision. They inspire with their plans for the future. Just as important as a grand vision, however, is a grand appreciation for the moment at hand. While it is not as widely discussed as other leadership traits, embracing the power of spontaneity has several benefits for leadership in general, but specifically for church leaders as well. I’ll share with you a few I’ve noticed anecdotally.

Creative fuel is pumped. The creative fuel of vision can diminish when leaders do not embrace the power of spontaneity. Many of my most creative moments come by accident, when I experience something unplanned or unexpected. And without creativity, it is difficult to inspire people with a vision for the future.

The desk disconnect is ditched. One of the killers of inspiration is the perception that leaders are making decisions from behind a desk. A great way to squash this perception is to accept spontaneously when people ask you to join them for dinner, coffee, or fellowship.

Levity is unleashed. A sense of levity enhances leadership. And leaders in the church who learn to laugh and joke spontaneously can be accepted as more genuine, authentic, and enjoyable.

Life becomes illustrative. My most well-received sermons and speaking illustrations are the stories of life’s spontaneous moments. When church leaders just live life their sermons and lessons come to life.

Sharing opportunities appear. Most importantly, when God’s people embrace the power of right now, God can provide incredible opportunities to help connect people to Jesus. As believers, we should pray daily that God will put people in front of us who need to hear the only message of true reconciliation ad joy.

Life requires plans. In order for people to function, a level of organization is required. While schedules and routines keep people focused, a little spontaneity can add flavor to the daily grind. And by embracing the power of right now, we might just see God work in the moment.

Feel free to comment on some tangible ways you’ve seen how embracing the moment can lead to better ministry.

What’s the Opposition to Religious Talk in the Workplace?

LifeWay Research has data from a new survey that answers the question:

Despite several high-profile court cases over the past few years that tried to limit religious speech and the display of religious items in the workplace, most Americans have no problem with either. According to a recent survey by LifeWay Research, less than a third of Americans have issues with those who display religious items at work. Also, less than 4 out of 10 mind religious talk in the workplace.

The survey asked respondents to agree or disagree with the following statement: “Coworkers should not display religious items at the workplace.” Respondents were also asked to agree or disagree with this statement: “Coworkers should not talk about religion at the workplace.”

Opinions differ by age, with young adults most open to religious talk and religious items in the workplace and senior adults most resistant. The survey shows that 25 percent of 18 to 34 year olds somewhat or strongly agree that coworkers should not display religious items. In contrast, 44 percent of those over the age of 65 agree. The same trend is true in regards religious talk. A total of 33 percent of 18 to 24 year olds and 31 percent of 25 to 34 year olds said they agree that it is wrong for people to talk about religion in the workplace. However, a majority of those over the age of 65 (54 percent) agree that talking about religion does not belong in the workplace.

I find it intriguing that the younger generation is more open to religious talk in the workplace. This research corroborates other research about the openness of young adults to spiritual issues. During my years in the corporate cubicle, I found a lot of people open to talking about spiritual issues. In fact, when I started seminary and worked bi-vocationally as a minister, several people at the office would come to me for “spiritual advice.” The difficulty for me was one of degree: how much should I say? And how much company time should I use to talk to a person? I typically talked openly but briefly, prayed with the person, and then offered to extend the conversation at lunch or after work hours. What’s your take? To what degree should believers talk about spiritual matters in the office?

CT’s Top 10 Religion Stories of 2008

Christianity Today just posted their top 10 religion stories of 2008. Click on the links below for the individual articles.

1. Election 2008: Democrats woo evangelical vote, making only slight gains from Bush era.
2. Voters turn back California Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage decision.
3. Christians in Orissa, India, again become scapegoats for Hindu extremists.
4. Anglican Communion continues to implode in slow motion.
5. Christians flee Iraq and Gaza.
6. Candidates’ religious associations come under scrutiny.
7. Ministries hold their breath as financial crisis threatens the global economy.
8. Muslim and Christian interfaith dialogues get serious.
9. Todd Bentley’s Florida Outpouring divides charismatic movement.
10. Texas authorities raid FLDS ranch.