adults—people who have not attended a church activity in the last six
months—identified themselves as “Christians,” according to a recent
study by the Barna Group.
The survey revealed that 28 percent of
the population-some 65 million adults-have not participated in any
church activities or services in the past six months. As many churches
try to attract this group to worship on Sunday, the study showed that
the makeup of unchurched Americans may be surprising.
For example, 18 percent of unchurched
Americans say they are born again, that they have “made a personal
commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today”
and that they will go to heaven only because they have accepted Him as
their Savior. Two-thirds (68 percent) say God is the all-knowing,
all-powerful creator of the universe. However, slightly more than
one-third (35 percent) agree that the Bible is totally accurate in all
its principles, and only 15 percent say their religious faith is very
important in their life.
Demographically, among the unchurched,
women outnumber men, baby boomers and older generations outnumber
younger generations, and conservatives outnumber liberals.
Why does such a large group of people who
believe in God avoid church? The Barna Group claims that a previous
study may shed some light on the question. The study showed that 37
percent of non-churchgoing Americans avoid churches because of negative
past experiences in churches or with church people. [barna.org, 4/12/10]
Cheri Fuller and Cindy Lamb Curry 
Marilyn Hickey 
Charisma Staff