These numbers are interesting. I'm curious, however, why in dealing with differences in education, race, etc., it was possible to get startling changes within a decade or so (from 2008 to 2018), why reach all the way back to 1978 to get some "interesting" variance in gender? I think an entire book could be written about women and social change in light of these other "nones" stats. The various women's movements impacted church women as well as other women during that 40-year period skipped over in the published stats here. It's possible that the author has dealt with this variance elsewhere in the book. So I'll leave my question there....
It will be interesting to see if the statistics change “post-pandemic”.
I also think that rules of the 90s/2000 eclipsed the Story. Until we teach the Story, how it’s worth living out, how participation one the Story matters, I imagine the statistics will continue to grow.
I am reading "Nones," but I am also intrigued by the disaffiliation with other organizations: Masons, Scouts, Kiwanis, Little League, Grange, political parties, etc. I've responded to posts about the declining participation in churches by asking if it may be part of a larger movement in our society/culture, but I never get a response. "Bowling Alone," written in the 80's using the example of declining bowling leagues, suggested it correlated with longer commutes. Maybe, but there is something much more basic underlying disaffiliation. Until we can specify what is happening in our society at large, we won't understand and respond well to the decline in church affiliation. We will keep trying the tweak our current internal combustion model while society has moved on to electric cars. (Maybe a poor comparison, but it makes the point.)
I just checked and Burge has a section asking your question: "the data doesn't support it" -- that is, to see church disaffiliation as simply a part of civic disaffiliation.
Yes, the sociologists are aware of the rise of disaffiliation -- Robert Putnam and before him Robert Bellah. They know the Nones is part of a larger pattern of a lack of civic engagement, which began some time ago, well before the modern Nones issue. The Nones is a more recent form of disaffiliation that, from what I read, is a distinct phenomenon, not unrelated but also not at all the same.
To Annabel's point, I think that is key as we consider ministry to the Nones. Most people in my pastoral experience hear "atheist" or assume rejection of the faith when they hear the term. I imagine that could lead to some disastrous encounters which would only solidify their desire to not affiliate with a local church community. Being disaffiliated does not necessarily equate with not being a Christian. We must take seriously the reasons for their disaffiliation and discern if they are theological, experiential, etc. I also think we need to stop freaking out over this situation or spending a significant amount of time trying to justify why it's not our fault and instead embrace this as an opportunity for proclaiming gospel truth and demonstrating gospel love.
I'm wondering if he has any statistics on how divorce or domestic abuse in "Christian" homes has impacted these young people.
I certainly know that my children made definite decisions not to be involved with any faith beliefs that drove their father's and his parents' narrow and judgmental attitudes -- which eventually led to our divorce. My eldest son was shocked as so many of his friends came from broken homes...and he was totally confident that his parents would never divorce. He's the only one of my three sons who has some faith still.
I have been ostracized, subjected to spiritual abuse, told I would damage the congregation, not made welcome, etc., in churches because I wanted to give a short video baptism testimony at comp churches where that wasn't allowed. I am now trying to find a equality church but am having trouble finding one around me. So I am a none, as in I have no church I call home. I watch several online. But I have been made to feel unwelcome in churches.
Connie...if you're still holding to your faith in God/Jesus, you may actually be in the group known as the Dones: done with the chaos of institutionalized religion but not done following Jesus/God. 💜🙏😎
I think it's important to realize that the data are only representing church affiliation, not Christian commitment.
These numbers are interesting. I'm curious, however, why in dealing with differences in education, race, etc., it was possible to get startling changes within a decade or so (from 2008 to 2018), why reach all the way back to 1978 to get some "interesting" variance in gender? I think an entire book could be written about women and social change in light of these other "nones" stats. The various women's movements impacted church women as well as other women during that 40-year period skipped over in the published stats here. It's possible that the author has dealt with this variance elsewhere in the book. So I'll leave my question there....
It will be interesting to see if the statistics change “post-pandemic”.
I also think that rules of the 90s/2000 eclipsed the Story. Until we teach the Story, how it’s worth living out, how participation one the Story matters, I imagine the statistics will continue to grow.
I am reading "Nones," but I am also intrigued by the disaffiliation with other organizations: Masons, Scouts, Kiwanis, Little League, Grange, political parties, etc. I've responded to posts about the declining participation in churches by asking if it may be part of a larger movement in our society/culture, but I never get a response. "Bowling Alone," written in the 80's using the example of declining bowling leagues, suggested it correlated with longer commutes. Maybe, but there is something much more basic underlying disaffiliation. Until we can specify what is happening in our society at large, we won't understand and respond well to the decline in church affiliation. We will keep trying the tweak our current internal combustion model while society has moved on to electric cars. (Maybe a poor comparison, but it makes the point.)
I just checked and Burge has a section asking your question: "the data doesn't support it" -- that is, to see church disaffiliation as simply a part of civic disaffiliation.
Yes, the sociologists are aware of the rise of disaffiliation -- Robert Putnam and before him Robert Bellah. They know the Nones is part of a larger pattern of a lack of civic engagement, which began some time ago, well before the modern Nones issue. The Nones is a more recent form of disaffiliation that, from what I read, is a distinct phenomenon, not unrelated but also not at all the same.
To Annabel's point, I think that is key as we consider ministry to the Nones. Most people in my pastoral experience hear "atheist" or assume rejection of the faith when they hear the term. I imagine that could lead to some disastrous encounters which would only solidify their desire to not affiliate with a local church community. Being disaffiliated does not necessarily equate with not being a Christian. We must take seriously the reasons for their disaffiliation and discern if they are theological, experiential, etc. I also think we need to stop freaking out over this situation or spending a significant amount of time trying to justify why it's not our fault and instead embrace this as an opportunity for proclaiming gospel truth and demonstrating gospel love.
I'm wondering if he has any statistics on how divorce or domestic abuse in "Christian" homes has impacted these young people.
I certainly know that my children made definite decisions not to be involved with any faith beliefs that drove their father's and his parents' narrow and judgmental attitudes -- which eventually led to our divorce. My eldest son was shocked as so many of his friends came from broken homes...and he was totally confident that his parents would never divorce. He's the only one of my three sons who has some faith still.
I have been ostracized, subjected to spiritual abuse, told I would damage the congregation, not made welcome, etc., in churches because I wanted to give a short video baptism testimony at comp churches where that wasn't allowed. I am now trying to find a equality church but am having trouble finding one around me. So I am a none, as in I have no church I call home. I watch several online. But I have been made to feel unwelcome in churches.
We're sorry to hear this Connie, and hope you can find a home church.
Connie...if you're still holding to your faith in God/Jesus, you may actually be in the group known as the Dones: done with the chaos of institutionalized religion but not done following Jesus/God. 💜🙏😎