How many Christian bloggers actually go to church regularly?
Study Anyone?
To my knowledge, no one has done a definitive study on how many Christian bloggers regularly attend church. My guess is that most of you reading my blog and writing your own Christian blogs attend church consistently. Church life is, after all, a significant part of Christian life for most believers.
Disillusionment
Disillusioned with institutional church, and ongoing personal struggles have contributed to Terri and I taking a break from church. To be clear—we’ve taken a break from church, not from Jesus.
Pulling Back the Curtain
Christian blogging covers a broad range of contributions—from theological deep dives to personal reflections. It would be erroneous to assume that every Christian blogger’s church experience is the same. Many bloggers are likely active participants in weekly church activities while others engage with their Christian community in other ways, through small gatherings, online fellowships, or ministry work.
There’s no doubt in my mind that fewer Americans are attending church regularly. A 2020 Gallup poll reported that only 47% of Americans were members of a church, synagogue, or mosque. That’s down from 70% in 1999. COVID-19 accelerated the decline in regular attendance (weekly or almost weekly) leaving many churches struggling to regain their pre-pandemic numbers. Some have even shifted to hybrid services—a blend of traditional, in-person offerings and online services.
Put Some Bible On It
Scripture urges believers to gather together for worship, fellowship, and mutual encouragement. The Bible stresses the vital role a church community plays in strengthening faith and providing support. Church is intended to be a space that allows individuals to build each other up as they grow in their relationship with God.
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
Obviously, not attending church means being intentional about developing a more individualized faith practice. Keeping our eyes on Jesus outside the the traditional framework of church takes planning and intentionality. Otherwise, we risk drifting away entirely.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Acts 2:42 ESV
Landing the Plane
However, my primary focus isn’t the church overall. I have seen it declining in both attendance and participation [attending is one thing; participation is another]. My curiosity centers more on those of us who are blogging about our faith online. After a number of years trying to settle into a new church home, we’ve decided to let things unfold rather than trying to force a decision. My Dad always discouraged me from forcing something to fit when in reality it didn’t. Perhaps that’s a childhood lesson that stuck and is applicable here. We are leaving it in God’s hands, trusting Him to guide us and direct our path forward. Life seems complicated enough at the moment without the added stress of finding a new church to fit in and belong. It seems like it would be easy, but it’s not.
What say you? Do you attend church regularly my fellow Christian blogger?
Until my next post…
Grace and peace,
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
The Stigma Stops Here.🛑
#mentalhealthmatters
The Devotional Guy™ 
Thanks for sharing, going deep, and being beautifully transparent. I certainly relate to “several things compounded.” For us, around the time my solo exhibit went live, a big ball of negative energy dropped into our lives, unleashing one storm after another. I also relate to being hurt by not being missed and no one checking on you, especially those you trusted the most. I’d love to hear more about the conviction that led you to going back in person. Thanks so much for reading and sharing my friend. Blessings 🙏
LikeLike
After C19 it was hard to find somewhere to attend. I found a house church meeting in a yard. Loved it. Then as congregations opened I went back but it wasn’t the same. Not shaking hands and fear was disturbing to me. So I kept looking and eventually things kind of went back to normal. But there were other reasons I didn’t go for awhile. Had lots of other health issues and people didn’t check in with me. Hurt that I wasn’t missed. Also bad weather. And some family passed so several things compounded. Eventually I was able to get back in and there was some church situations that I couldn’t participate in so back to the drawing board. Small town. Not many choices. But didn’t give up. After weeks and months online and jumping around to friends’ and family members’ places of worship we settled on a little country church that welcomed us. We go almost every Sunday. Last week was bad weather so we interacted online. I love online church actually because in a small group zoom call you can get into some good conversations and aren’t as rushed. But was convicted to get back in person so that’s what we have done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Nicola. I agree that the runner meets the road somewhere between connection and isolation. I like that you have a local fellowship of believers that you meet with and that you expand that idea beyond the traditional framework as well. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and reading my post. Blessings 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
I go to church regularly and also lead in the local church but fellowship, accountability, teaching with other believers is also church and it can take different shapes. We try to box church attendance up in ways we are comfortable with or grew up with traditionally but I have relationships with Christian believers who blog that teach, keep me accountable and I also fellowship with outside of the blog sphere in different ways. Connection to me is church. Connected to Christ and in Christ to other believers. Keep connected, whatever that shape looks like. Isolation is the trap to avoid I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m curious to learn more about the series. There are a few excellent pastors I follow occasionally online. A friend of mine has an online church that I watch as well, albeit not always as regularly as I plan. If I may, can I ask what’s caused you not to attend church physically? I know some folks don’t go physically because they are house bound due to illness and such. I appreciate your transparency and openness. Thanks for sharing your experience and perspective. Blessings 🙏
LikeLike
I have not gone to church in a long while. However, I do follow a really good Christian Pastor on line every week. He is actually gone now, but his old Sermons are on point. I have also been following a series about False Prophets and Fake Churches.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing your perspective and experience, David. It’s great that you’re involved in actively serving at your church. Yes, COVID certainly put a strain on churches globally that many are still struggling to recover
from. Blessings 🙏
LikeLike
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I attend church weekly and sing in the choir—best seats in the house! Ironically, some of the deepest wounds and most powerful times of healing have come from the same fellowship of believers. For instance, Covid put a strain on some of our strongest relationships with other Christians—because we saw things differently than they did. On the other hand, when I was going through a painful separation, and subsequent divorce, the same folk were an undeniable catalyst for healing and restoration.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s SO true. Thank you for sharing that perspective, Judy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When baptized I took on the name of Christ and every week I have the opportunity to renew that covenant by partaking of His flesh and blood in the Holy Sacrament. A fresh start every week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s fantastic, Judy. I’d love to hear more about what renewing your covenants with God looks like. I find that pretty interesting. Thanks for taking time to read my post and share your thoughts. Blessings 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
I attend church to renew my covenants with God that I made when I chose baptism. When I’m feeling standoffish — also known at hermitish to me — I remind myself I’m called to associate with other Christians, so off to church I go, even when I don’t want to be around anyone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you are feeling better now that a new year has rolled in. It’s great that you attend church so faithfully every week. I’d love to hear more about it. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and reading my post. Your feedback is much appreciated. Blessings 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
We go to church every Sunday, except for November and December this past year. We were sooooo sick. Flu and COVID back to back, and I didn’t want to get anyone sick. Also, I felt like a bus ran me over. Twice.
LikeLiked by 1 person