August 2, 2023 – A new study has found that middle-aged Americans are less likely to attend church than they were in the past. The study, which was conducted by the Pew Research Center, found that the decline in church attendance is particularly pronounced among white Americans.
The study found that the percentage of middle-aged Americans who attend church weekly has fallen from 67% in 1999 to 53% in 2022. This decline is even more pronounced among white Americans, whose weekly church attendance has fallen from 73% to 55% over the same period.
There are a number of reasons why middle-aged Americans are less likely to attend church. One reason is that they are more likely to be secular than younger and older Americans. According to the Pew Research Center, 30% of middle-aged Americans say they are religiously unaffiliated, compared to 23% of younger Americans and 17% of older Americans.
Another reason for the decline in church attendance among middle-aged Americans is that they are more likely to be working and raising families. This can make it difficult to find time to attend church services.
Finally, the decline in church attendance among middle-aged Americans may also be due to changes in the way that churches are structured and operate. Many churches are struggling to attract and retain younger members, and they are not as relevant to the lives of middle-aged Americans as they once were.
The decline in church attendance among middle-aged Americans is a significant trend. It is unclear whether this trend will continue in the future, but it is something that churches need to be aware of. If churches want to attract and retain middle-aged members, they will need to make changes to their programming and outreach efforts.
What can churches do to attract more middle-aged members?
There are a number of things that churches can do to attract more middle-aged members. These include:
- Offering more programs and services that are relevant to the lives of middle-aged Americans.
- Making church more convenient for middle-aged members. This could include offering more evening and weekend services or providing childcare.
- Making church more welcoming to middle-aged members. This could include creating a more relaxed atmosphere or offering more opportunities for fellowship.
If churches can make these changes, they will be more likely to attract and retain middle-aged members. This is important because middle-aged Americans are a large and growing demographic, and they represent a significant source of potential church members.
