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Recent Findings on Church Attendance

Recent research conducted by Gloo and Barna Group sheds light on the essential role church attendance plays in fostering relational health and mentorship among its congregants. This research, part of the ongoing State of the Church initiative, studies trends in church engagement and the sentiment of community members.

Key Findings

Discipleship Engagement

One of the standout findings indicates that a significant majority of churchgoers—around 64%—report that they are currently engaged in discipleship. This illustrates a keen interest among attendees in developing their faith and seeking deeper connections within their church community.

Importance of Small Groups

The data also reveals the impactful nature of small group gatherings, with 68% of participants stating they would receive support from their group during tough times. Furthermore, 62% feel that their small group serves as an important familial connection, while 55% consider it essential to their faith journey. These figures highlight the nurturing environment that small groups provide, enabling individuals to build meaningful relationships and support systems.

Barriers to Participation

However, there are challenges in fostering engagement within small groups. Among those who do not participate, the predominant reasons cited are a lack of activity in their church (19%) or feeling too busy (19%). This reveals significant obstacles that church leaders may need to address to enhance participation and connection within their communities.

Mentorship Dynamics

Turning to mentorship, the study found that 67% of churchgoing adults have a mentor, with roughly half of those individuals (51%) meeting their mentors through their church. This points to the church as a vital platform for building mentorship relationships that contribute to personal and spiritual growth.

Yet, there is a noted mentorship gap among different generational cohorts. While engagement in mentorship is high among younger generations (86% of Gen Z and 83% of Millennials), it drops substantially in older demographics, with only 65% of Baby Boomers and 42% of Gen X expressing interest in mentoring others.

The Opportunity for Older Generations

David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group, comments on this mentorship gap, noting, "Although older adults appear less inclined to engage in mentorship roles, they possess a significant opportunity to share their knowledge and experience. Younger adults recognize the immense benefit of being members of a one-on-one mentorship or small group environment."

As part of this continual research initiative, Gloo and Barna Group plan to release additional insights regarding church attendance trends in January. The complete findings from this latest research are accessible on Barna Access Plus, a subscription service housing extensive research data.

Gloo’s technology platform aims to empower ministry leaders worldwide, connecting them with essential resources, insights, and support. Established to enhance the vitality of church communities, Gloo collaborates with over 75,000 churches and 1,000 resource partners, promoting a sustainable and flourishing ecclesiastical ecosystem.

In contrast, Barna Group has established itself as a leader in research surrounding faith and cultural crossroads. Founded in 1984, it has conducted millions of interviews, offering invaluable data and insights regarding religion, leadership, and generational shifts.

This research indicates a growing recognition of the significance of community involvement through church attendance and mentorship, reinforcing the idea that relationships are vital to spiritual flourishing.