RELIGION (Josh McDowell research 2006 to present) “MEGACHURCHES OFFER RELATIONAL APPROACH WITH MULTIPLE SITES” ‘“An estimated five million Americans a week attend about 1,300 megachurches. A megachurch usually is defined as having weekly attendance of 2,000 or more, but even a church of 800 like Community Christian Church ranks in the top 2 percent of U.S. church attendance,” Thumma said.” “The survey of nearly 25,000 people who attend 12 U.S. megachurches was conducted from January through August 2008.” “The third edition of the Faith Communities Today Study of 2,527 U.S. congregations, released last week, finds the nation’s Catholic, Protestant and other world religions suffering. Only 19 percent reported they are in excellent financial health, down from 31 percent in 2000. Less than half (48 percent) could report at least 2 percent growth in worship attendance, down from 58 percent in 2005.” (Robert Wayne, “Megachurches Offer Relational Approach With Multiple Sites,” Crosswalk.com, September 25, 2009, http://www.crosswalk.com/news/ relgiontoday/11608930/) ______________________ “20-SOMETHINGS” “A Barna study finds 50% of teens attend a church-related service or activity in a typical week and more than three-quarters discuss matters of faith with peers. A third of teens participate in a Christian club during a typical school year. 81% have attended a church for a period of at least two months during their teen years.” “Only 20% of 20-somethings have maintained a level of spiritual activity consistent with their high school experiences.” “20-somethings are 70% more likely than older adults to strongly assert if they ‘cannot find a local church that will help them become more like Christ, they will find people and groups that will, and connect with them instead of a local church. They are also less likely to believe ‘a person’s faith in God is meant to be developed by involvement in a local church.’ Much of the activity of young adults takes place outside congregations. Among those in their 20s and 30s, 6% have beliefs that qualify them as evangelical, 36% are born again Christians.” (The Foster Letter: Religious Market Update, Gary D. Foster Consulting, September 25, 2006 [Barna Online 9/11/06]: 2) ______________________ “ATTENDANCE AT AMERICAN CHURCHES” Religion – Research 2006 to present
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