COURTESY PHOTO.
By Our Reporter & Agencies
A new study conducted by Lifeway Research suggests that most Christians would not leave their Church if the music style or preacher changed. But more than half say they would strongly consider leaving if the church’s theology changed.
“Mess with the music and people may grumble,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “Mess with theology and they’re out the door.”
According to the study, the more people go to church, the more committed they are to attending their same church in the future.
Those who attend at least once a week are twice as likely to be completely committed to attending their church (62 percent) than people who go once or twice a month (31 percent). Those who attend once or twice a month are more likely to be moderately committed (36 percent) than those who go at least once a week (7 percent).
The study also found that older churchgoers (65 years and above) are least likely (63 percent) to want to leave their church. That drops to 50 percent for those younger than 35.
“If people are thinking about leaving your church, chances are they’ve already started looking,” said McConnell. “So they’re probably halfway out the door.”
Moving on, the study found that churchgoers who have graduate degrees are less likely to accept all their church’s teachings. Only a third (35 percent) say their beliefs are completely aligned with those of the church. Sixty percent say their beliefs are mostly aligned.
“Every time a pastor gets up to preach, there’s a good chance more than a few people in the pews are going to disagree,” Scott McConnell, said.
Most find church programs helpful
Researchers also looked at how effective churches are in helping people grow spiritually.
Most churchgoers think their church is doing a good job. Three-quarters (76 percent) think their church has been either extremely helpful (36 percent) or very helpful (40 percent) in their spiritual growth. Sixteen percent say the church is moderately helpful.
Relatively few say the church has not been helpful (1 percent) in their spiritual growth or are not sure (2 percent).
Churchgoers did have some suggestions on ways churches can help them grow. Among them:
- 27 percent want their church to help them understand more about God and the Bible.
- 20 percent want their church to help them find new ways to serve.
- 19 percent want their church to provide more Bible study groups.
- 16 percent want their church to help them get to know more people in church.
- 14 percent say their church could provide forums to answer their spiritual questions.
- 13 percent want their church to give them more chances to serve.
- 13 percent want their church to provide worship experiences that fit their needs.
- 9 percent want their church to provide more interaction with the pastor.
- 8 percent want their church to provide them with a mentor.
