Q+A :: Top Reasons for Church Attendance
QUESTION:
Do you have any statistics that show the top 5 reasons why people stay or connect with a church?
- Debbie :: California
ANSWER:
In recent years, there have been several research studies hoping to discover what motivates church attendance. I previously blogged about research from LifeWay Research and Gallup. Both of those studies offer good insights but can be general.
My favorite resource on the topic is Thom S. Ranier’s book Surprising Insights from the Unchurched. It discusses the following three surveys.
Top 13 Reasons that Unchurched People Choose a Church
(research conducted by Ranier)
- 90% - Pastor/Preaching
- 88% - Doctrines
- 49% - Friendliness of Members
- 42% - Other Issues
- 41% - Someone Church Witnessed to Me
- 38% - Family Member
- 37% - Sensed God’s Presence/Atmosphere of Church
- 25% - Relationship Other than Family Member
- 25% - Sunday School Class
- 25% - Children’s/Youth Ministry
- 12% - Other Groups/Ministries
- 11% - Worship Style/Music
- 7% - Location
Top 9 Reasons that Church-Attenders Choose a Church
(research conducted by the Barna Group in 1999)
- 58% - Doctrine/Theology
- 53% - People Caring for Each Other
- 52% - Preaching
- 45% - Friendliness
- 45% - Children’s Programs
- 43% - Helping the Poor
- 36% - Denomination
- 35% - Like the Pastor
- 26% - Sunday School
Top 6 Things that Keep the Formerly Unchurched Active in the Church
(research conducted by Ranier)
- 62% - Ministry Involvement
- 55% - Sunday School
- 54% - Obedience to God
- 49% - Fellowship of Members
- 38% - Pastor/Preaching
- 14% - Worship Services
The statistics speak for themselves. Overall, doctrine, the pastor and his preaching, and the friendliness and fellowship of the congregation are the most influential qualities.
For Discussion:
- Subjectively speaking, what do you think are the top reasons why people stay or connect with a church?
If you have a question you want Church Relevance to answer, submit it via our Q+A form.
formerfire Said,
July 30, 2008 @ 5:18 am
I reckon it would be preaching and then connection to others within that congregation.
Marcus Hackler Said,
July 30, 2008 @ 7:47 am
I’d like to see facilities included in those studies in the future - to me one of the best ways (and conversely the worst way) to market to visitors is as simple as the presentation of your facility. It’s not about how cool it looks or if you have the latest tech - just simple cleanliness and order.
Jim Mayes Said,
July 31, 2008 @ 1:10 am
Now if God asked the same question, knowing our heart, would the polls still be the same?
dan Said,
July 31, 2008 @ 10:35 am
wow, jim! that is a great way of approaching this data! i kind of doubt facilities would be on God’s radar. or anything else to do with the “imaging” of a building or a 5-points series.
i think this data is a calling to dive deep into the book of Acts and see how our brothers and sisters started this thing. i need to keep re-learning that the church grew to what it is now by attraction, not promotion.
David Said,
July 31, 2008 @ 2:44 pm
I like all the new stuff and technology and everything that some churches are doing these days. But I also know that if we the church including myself were truly doing what Jesus told us to do before He ascended back into Heaven.. which is Mark 16:17-18 “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” If we did this we would not have room for the needy in our church facilities. I say all that to say people I think are tired of hearing about him they want to see Him. I think that and Love attracts people to churches.
Bronson Taylor Said,
August 2, 2008 @ 11:22 am
I would like to see “relevance” itself as an option for choosing/staying with a church. It might be hard for people to quantify or recognize, but it would be interesting. I just wrote a blog post on relevance, so it’s on my mind right now (http://www.gulfchurch.com/blog/).
John C. Said,
August 2, 2008 @ 6:04 pm
I tend to think this type of research can be a bit biased. With this in mind, I did a (small) bit of research on the book - which was first published in 2006 by the way. There is (what appears to be anyway) a fairly credible reader review on Amazon that cites some of the research and details behind it. I find especially interesting the “cons” section of his review speaking to the stats and how they were gathered and from where. In any case, Rather than ask church attenders or new attenders why they went to a certain church, etc. - I find it much more compelling and telling to ask non-church goers why they DON’T go to church at all, and what would it take for them to possibly attend a local church?
With more research and “How To” books than any other time in history the American Church still seems to be on the decline. In this volume Thom Rainer, Dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth, takes his best shot at the problem. Is his “best shot” good enough? It’s certainly helpful, but probably not a home run.
PROS:
This book reiterates solid leadership principles.
This book insists (thankfully) that traditional conservative churches can grow without becoming “odd”.
This book paints a vivid contrast between effective and ineffective pastors.
This book actually goes to those recently converted to Christianity and asks them why they converted.
This book was written by someone who knows what he is talking about.
CONS:
The research sample is too small and biased. Rainer studied 350 new Christians, 350 Christians who transferred to a new church, and 100 pastors - ALL from conservative evangelical churches! This is circular logic. That is, if you asked all of the new people who came to my church why they came to church, they would mostly respond that they liked particular aspects of my church. This only shows that my church has the ability to attract new persons, not that my church has the only way or even the best way. NCD (Natural Church Development) has interviewed more churches of more types on more continents than any other study. Do not overlook NCD material when researching this subject.
This book accepts national statistics that are no longer universally accepted. This book “assumes” that Conservative Evangelical and Fundamentalists Church in American outgrow liberal and mainstream churches. 10 years ago this statement could have been made as a fact. This is no longer the case. Recent studies have shown that conservative churches are also in decline at about the same rate. The reasons are heavily debated, but the results are that church growth is isolated in all Christian movements.
RECOMMENDATION:
This book is a must read, if for no other reason, it reinforces that churches CAN be effective without being out of balance. But this book should not be viewed as the final word on the matter.
Rich Kirkpatrick Said,
August 2, 2008 @ 11:26 pm
Basically, relationships and cause are my subjective indicators. If you have a mission and are with people doing it, you are likely to be fulfilled spiritually and personally in a church.
What size were these churches surveyed? I think that matters in the data. In other words, in a small church of course the pastor’s personality personally is important while in a larger church his preaching/communication is of more importance.
I agree about the NCD being a good indicator and have questions as to how this data here is presented.
Adrian Rodriguez Said,
August 3, 2008 @ 10:11 am
I know one of the main things I look for in a church is the fruit. How well the church is active within the community, what the members are doing in and for the church, what kind audience are they reaching and what the importance of their denomination is.
As a young man, I try to find place where I can be related to very easily. I understand that the older generation has a lot of wisdom, but they are not dealing with the same situations me and my generation are going through.
Nice Article.