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Adam Russell Taylor I believe the church is a critical and indispensable — though not exclusive — vehicle for sharing the good news and advancing God’s beloved community here on Earth. But last week, Gallup caused a stir when it released new research showing Americans’ membership in houses of worship fell below 50 percent for the first time in the 80 years Gallup has been keeping track. According to Gallup’s data, in 2020, only “47% of Americans said they belonged to a church, synagogue or mosque, down from 50% in 2018 and 70% in 1999,” continuing a steady decline that started near the turn of the 21st century. Gallup identifies several different sources of this decline, most notably an increase in the percentage of Americans who do not identify with a specific organized religion. But the change is also a result of more Americans who do identify with a religion saying they do not belong to a particular house of worship. Much of the change is generational — 66 percent of U.S. adults born before 1946 belong to a house of worship versus only 36 percent of millennials — yet the last 20 years have also seen a doubling in the percentage of older generations (silent generation, baby boomers, and Generation X) with no religious affiliation. Gallup saw this decline across all racial backgrounds, through noted the decline was smaller among non-Hispanic Black people. […] Despite the data’s limitations, if you care deeply about sharing the good news of Christ and take the Great Commission’s call to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19) seriously, as I do, these trends are both disconcerting and heartbreaking. But instead of feeling hopeless, those of us in the church can see this as an essential wake-up call, recognizing this urgent opportunity to renew the church and redefine how it is perceived.
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Our Latest Can Churches Earn the Trust of Young Racial Justice Activists? (by Madison Muller) Many young activists distrust the church because it has not “boldly condemned its violent past,” Tiffany Reid-Collazo said. Biden Proclaims César Chávez Day to Honor the Labor Activist (by Gina Ciliberto) Chávez was a Mexican American activist who organized for farmworkers’ rights. It's Not Enough to Condemn Hate (by Lucas Kwong) Christian nationalist leaders enabling racist actions must be called to repentance. Why Do Chaplains Have To Pay for Their Internships? (by Gina Ciliberto) Chaplaincy internships offer valuable experience, but many say the often-unpaid, tuition-based program isn't equitable. |
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From the Magazine Embracing Our Fragility in the Presence of Affliction (by Sharon V. Betcher) Sharon V. Betcher on hope for souls and societies once the pandemic ends. |
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With Liberty and Justice for Some: The Bible, The Constitution, and Racism in America This book examines through a historical, theological, and exegetical lens how our foundational documents have been used to further racism and oppress people of color. And it offers a firm foundation for questioning our own beliefs and actions towards bringing about equality and justice for all. The Stonewall Generation: LGBTQ Elders on Sex, Activism, and Aging Sexuality researcher Jane Fleishman shares stories of fearless elders in the LGBTQ community who came of age around the time of the Stonewall Riots of 1969. In candid interviews, they lay bare their struggles, strengths, activism, and liberation in the context of the politics of the 1960s, 1970s and today. |
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