Makeup of U.S. & Church
I read the following “Fast Facts” this week from Lifeway Research about some of the demographics of the United States and the church. These give us some insight into our mission field as well as faith beliefs and church life. Take a moment to think about what these numbers might tell you about the needs and opportunities we have in and outside the church.
U.S. Population: 330 million (Global Population: 7.7 billion)
Population by Region: 17.1% (Northeast); 20.8% (Midwest); 23.9% (West); 38.3% (South)
Ethnic Makeup of the U.S.: 60.1% (White); 18.% (Hispanic or Latino); 12.5% (Black); 5.8% (Asian); 0.7% (Indian); 0.2% ((Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islanders)
Religious Makeup of the U.S.: 25.4% (Evangelical Protestant); 20.8% (Catholic); 15.8% (Nothing in particular); 14.7% (Mainline Protestant); 6.5% (Historically Black Protestant); 4% (Agnostic); 3.1% (Atheist); 1.9% (Jewish); 1.6% (Mormon); 0.9% (Muslim); 0.8% (Jehovah Witnesses); 0.7% (Buddhist); 0.7% (Hindu); 0.6% (Don’t know); 0.5% (Orthodox Christian); 0.4% (Other Christian); 0.3% (Other world religions)
Belief in God: 53% (know God exists and have no doubts); 18% (Believe in God but have some doubts); 13% (There is some higher power); 6% (Don’t know and there’s no way to find out); 5% (Don’t believe); 4% (Believe in God sometimes)
Number of Protestant Churches in the U.S.: 314,000
Size of Churches in the U.S.: 39.9% (50 or less); 27.4% (51-100); 20.1% (101-250); 9.9% (251-1,000); 2.6% (1,000+)
Church Attendance in U.S.: 23% (attend at least weekly); 30% (Never); 29% (Rarely); 19% (Attend at least monthly)
How often do U.S. Protestants Churchgoers read the Bible? 32% (Daily); 27% (Few times a week); 12% (Weekly); 12% (Rarely or never); 11% (Few times a month); 5% (Monthly)
Evangelism among Protestant Churchgoers in the past six months: 55% (0); 24% (1-2); 12% (3-5); 5% (6-10); 3% (16+); 1% (11-15)
Church dropout rates for at least a year between the ages of 18-22: 66%
Top 5 Reasons church dropouts give for why they stopped attending: 34% (move to college and stopped attending); 32% (Church members seemed judgmental or hypocritical); 29% (Didn’t feel connected to people in my church); 25% (Disagreed with the church’s stances on political/social issues); 24% (Work responsibilities prevented me from attending)
Among those who dropped out as a young adult, how often do you attend church now? 39% (Attend once a month or less); 31% (Attend twice a month or more); 29% (Do not currently attend)
Next week, we will look at the makeup of our mission field in the Federal Way area. In the meantime, ask the Lord to use you in ways that can make a difference in your sphere of influence in and outside the church.
Pastor Jeff
“Sin will rarely present itself to us in its true colors, saying, ‘I am your deadly enemy, and I want to ruin you forever in hell.’ Oh no! Sin comes to us, like Judas, with a kiss––with an outstretched hand and flattering words.”