Statistics are now confirming something common sense already told us; most people stay home on Sundays rather than attending church worship services. Apparently an actual head count revealed what polling didn't, because when asked, most people say they attend worship services more often than they actually do.

Here is a story from Agape Press and Christianity Today on Crosswalk.com. There is more in the May/June issue of Outreach magazine, in a cover story co-written by yours truly.

The question behind the numbers, which may be as low as 18-20 percent of Americans attending church weekly, is whether low attendance indicates a lag in Christianity in the United States or a preference for more individual rather than congregational faith.

The good news, according to researcher and author George Barna, and others, may be that people are no longer content to commit only to a church service. In search of authentic, life-changing faith and full devotion to Christ, Americans may be opting to skip church and do discipleship elsewhere. Of course, that may also be the bad news, since Christianity can't really happen without community and since accountability is difficult in isolation.

What to do about declining attendance? Here's a summary of what leading pastors around the country told Outreach:

Bob Coy – Address social issues and return to teaching Scripture as sufficient.

Bill Hybels – Get a new vision that includes social issues, and view poor attendance culturally.

Kirbyjon Caldwell – Provide a contagious message of hope in Jesus and meet needs.

George Barna – Cooperate with the revolution of faith outside church walls.

David Anderson – Go multi-cultural—intentionally.

These leaders say much more about declining attendance and strategies for American churches. I'm sorry I can't link to the article as it is not yet online. But it's in bookstores and I don't think you should miss it.

What are you doing to combat declining church attendance? Blog here.