Does Church Attendance Mean Anything? (Part4)

In some of the sociological and economic research conducted on church attendance, there is reference made to the “U” shape model of church attendance. In brief, the U-shape reflects data on church attendance over the average churchgoer’s lifetime. Typically, attendance starts high in a person’s younger years, and then as careers and/or families are formed (marriage, children, etc.) attendance tends to dip, and then usually around age fifty, attendance typically rises back up, with a slight dip in an individual’s latter years due to failing health. While there are always exceptions and qualifications to the norm, I would say personally, the U-shape pattern of church attendance generally holds true.

What is at least one potential implication that we might draw about the U-shape pattern of church attendance? One implication is that we need to be mindful and aware of the forces that might interfere with our faith development that church attendance may reflect. For instance, what do we do as a congregation to help young people concerning their career choices, and the potential impact those choices may have on their faith? Are we having the right discussions and asking the right questions about the kind of impact the type of work and work schedules they choose can have on their faith?

It seems to me many local congregations fall short in being creative in the opportunities they provide growing families. Often throughout the years, I have heard families with young toddlers speak of how difficult it is for them to attend, say a Wednesday night Bible study or Sunday night study, because of the effect such late evening events have on their young children. Now I recognize that we sometimes can just make excuses, or not seek to be disciplined, but the issue of when and what time we schedule church-related events is not without value. In other words, if we can provide better and more conducive times for various members to study and/or fellowship given their circumstances, then should we not seek to provide them as a congregation?

Let me share one personal account to illustrate some of the struggles today facing young people about church attendance. I have a dear friend of mine who recently shared with me his current struggle with church attendance. He is a young man, faithful, godly, and well versed in Scripture. He is also married with a young child. Recently, my friend finished college, and was blessed with a wonderful career opportunity. However, like many newly hired individuals, he was given the least desirable work schedule. He is working over sixty hours a week and primarily in the evenings. He shared with me how the only time he has to spend with his family is Sunday evening. My friend would prefer not to attend Sunday evening service, as he would like to rest before having to start his grueling workweek, and spend quality time with his wife and child. The problem is the congregation where he attends has hinted, and not so hinted, that not to attend Sunday evening is questionable. The result is he ends up feeling guilty if he does not attend, and guilty for not spending the kind of time he thinks is more beneficial for his growing family. In short, my friend is at the bottom of the U-shape pattern. What is he to do?

I guess one thing I am trying to get at in this article centers on how the contemporary church can help its maturing members get past the bottom of the U-shape attendance pattern. Speaking critically, but lovingly, we cannot afford to just let brothers and sisters “tough it out” by themselves, or offer no assistance to encourage their faith development. We should all be mindful of where we are in our attendance at church. Yet the better question might be, “Where is the local congregation itself when brothers and sisters are sloping down the U-shape of attendance?”

--Terry