The Great Dechurching, with Michael Graham and Jim Davis
Apr 7, 2024
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Authors Michael Graham and Jim Davis discuss the decline of church attendance in America due to various factors. They challenge stereotypes about de-churched individuals and highlight the importance of inviting back believers. The podcast also explores the positive impact of religious attendance on mental health and offers solutions for churches to address the dechurching phenomenon.
The decline in church attendance is not solely attributed to secular trends, abuse, or spiritual deconstruction, but rather a complex interplay of factors.
De-churched individuals show higher theological orthodoxy than current church attendees, debunking stereotypes associated with this trend.
Implementing a comprehensive discipleship plan, especially targeting high school age groups and involving parents, is crucial for nurturing spiritual growth and re-engaging de-churched individuals.
Deep dives
D-Churching Phenomenon Unveiled
Exploring the concept of D-Churching, the podcast delves into the shift in religious behavior where individuals who used to attend church now no longer do. Unveiling startling statistics from a Barna study in the Orlando metropolitan area, indicating a significant percentage of churchgoers who have stopped attending, the discussion highlights a shift in evangelical presence comparable to New York City and Seattle. The hosts theorize this trend as a profound religious shift on a national scale, prompting a comprehensive study to understand this phenomenon.
Diverse Profiles of De-Churched Individuals
The podcast delves into the distinct profiles of de-churched individuals, categorizing them into cultural Christians, mainstream de-churched evangelicals, exvangelicals, and BIPOC (Black Indigenous Persons of Color). While cultural Christians and mainstream de-churched evangelicals exhibit varying levels of orthodoxy, exvangelicals emphasize intentional departure with profound pain points. The BIPOC group, predominantly non-white, showcases higher education and income with a mix of cultural friction and inertia influencing their church disengagement.
Orthodoxy and Faith among the De-Churched
Contrary to stereotypes, the podcast uncovers surprising findings that many de-churched individuals maintain higher theological orthodoxy than current church attendees. While some de-churched individuals express genuine faith, the narrative dispels assumptions that this trend solely represents a theological departure from Christianity. Emphasizing the opportunity for outreach and welcoming de-churched individuals back, the discussion highlights the complex interplay between beliefs, behavior changes, and church disengagement.
Church's Comprehensive Discipleship Plan and Involvement of Parents
The podcast delves into the importance of implementing a comprehensive discipleship plan in the church, particularly focusing on the high school age group. Emphasizing the significance of engaging parents in the discipleship process from the age of 13 through 30, the discussion highlights the need for a church to support parents in nurturing their children's spiritual growth. By not outsourcing youth ministry but actively involving the church in tandem with parents, a more effective and personalized discipleship journey can be established.
Mental Health Benefits of Church Attendance and Evangelism Strategies
The podcast addresses the mental health aspect of church attendance and its positive impact on individuals' well-being. Research findings outline the correlation between religious service attendance and lower rates of mortality, heavy drinking, and smoking, coupled with improved psychosocial well-being. Additionally, the discussion focuses on evangelism strategies, sharing anecdotes of successful reintroduction of de-churched individuals to church communities through simple invitations and relational approaches. By emphasizing the holistic benefits of church involvement on mental health, the podcast advocates for the transformative power of the gospel within the church context.
Justin Holcomb interviews Jim Davis and Michael Graham, authors of The Great Dechurching, to discuss why forty million Americans have stopped attending church in the past 25 years. Many attribute church decline to encroaching secular trends, abuse in the church, or spiritual deconstruction. While all of these trends have spiked in recent years, Davis and Graham, with the help of Ryan Burge, reveal that these factors are not the primary causes for the erosion of church attendance and share what the church can do to turn back those estranged from her.
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