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Survey offers insight into new members

by: Julie Roberts, Editor

One in three American worshipers joined their congregations in the last five years, indicating an increasing turnover rate, according to the recently released U.S. Congregational Life Survey.

Only one in four new members were unchurched, as churches are growing primarily from those who transfer from one church to another.

The survey, funded by a $1.3 million Lilly Endowment grant, polled more than 300,000 worshippers in 2,000 congregations during April 2001. Various denominations and faith groups, including Buddhists and Jews, participated.

Survey results are presented in "A Field Guide to U.S. Congregations," which can be ordered online or by calling (800) 541-5113.

While the study reaffirms previous research, its comprehensiveness should capture church leaders’ attention, said Thom Rainer, a church consultant and leading expert on church growth and health.

"Most pastors do not analyze their growth and the sources for that," Rainer said. "They usually are shocked to learn that they haven’t been reaching the unchurched after all, but taking members away from other churches."

Churches that want to reach the unchurched should intentionally promote evangelistic outreach and focus on accountability, Rainer said.

"Churches need to review their growth and membership on a quarterly or annual basis," he said. "Businesses don’t go a week without knowing exactly what shape they’re in. Church leaders should have the same mindset."

Deborah Bruce, the survey’s project manager, echoed Rainer’s call for action when it comes to intentionally reaching out to the unchurched and getting them involved.

While many churches believe advertising and an Internet presence will bring people in, those methods are ineffective, Bruce said.

"People come to a church for the first time because someone invited them," she said. "It’s personal."

Rainer’s research, which is included in his newest book "Surprising Insights from the Unchurched," indicates family members - especially wives - have the greatest influence on first-time visitors.

Keeping new members can be a church’s next biggest challenge, Bruce said. According to the U.S. Congregational Life Survey, certain characteristics distinguish new people, including:

Low levels of involvement. New people are less likely to be involved in small groups within the congregation: 49 percent of new people compared to 55 percent for all worshipers are involved in at least one small group, such as a Bible study or fellowship.

New people are also less likely to report serving in a leadership role.

Giving. New people are just as likely as long-term participants to give 10 percent or more of their income to the congregation. However, new worshipers report lower levels of regular giving (between 5 to 9 percent) when compared to long-term worshipers. They are more likely to give small amounts when they attend.

Age. New people are younger than the average worshiper by eight years. The largest percentage of new worshipers (45 percent) are 25 to 44 years old.

Work. Working full- or part-time is more common among the newer worshipers, with two out of three new people employed. (Among all worshipers, 58 percent are employed full- or part-time.) This finding is related to the lower average age of these worshipers, according to the survey.

Education. Nearly 40 percent of new people hold college degrees or more advanced degrees (40 percent). Among all worshipers, 37 percent have college or advanced degrees.

Marital status and children. New people are less likely than long-term participants to be in their first marriage. They are more likely than long-time worshipers to have never married or to be remarried after divorce. These patterns are probably associated with the average age of new worshipers, according to the U.S. Congregational Life Survey.

Get them involved

Sunday school or Bible fellowship classes are effective ways to get new members involved, according to research by Rainer and George Barna of the Barna Research Group.

Their research found that new Christians who immediately became active in Sunday school were five times more likely to remain in the church five years later than those who only attended worship services.

Getting new members involved in a congregation should cut down on the number that switch churches, Bruce said, allowing congregations to focus on the unchurched.

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