The Gradual Return to Church

Sociologists and historians will be analyzing the effects of the 2020 pandemic for years to come, but my immediate focus is on understanding its significant impact on our communal life.

Recent statistics provide a glimmer of hope for the church community. According to a poll conducted by Lifeway Research on March 9, 2021, 91% of churchgoers expressed intentions to attend services at least as frequently as they did prior to the pandemic. The National COVID-19 Church Attendance Project also reported that by April 2021, in-person attendance had rebounded to 57% of pre-pandemic levels.

However, there’s also concerning data. Lifeway Research found that 6% of church attendees indicated they would attend less frequently than before the pandemic, while 2% stated they would attend rarely, and 1% claimed they would never return. This suggests that while attendance is recovering, nearly 1 in 10 individuals may not come back.

In light of these findings, two critical questions arise: (1) Why are 1 in 10 Christians not returning to church? (2) What are the reasons they should?

1. Ongoing Concerns About COVID-19

Even two years after the initial COVID-19 cases emerged in the United States, the Delta variant continues to pose challenges in numerous communities. For instance, my city remains a hotspot for infections. While the variant primarily affects a smaller, unvaccinated segment of the population, hospitals are still overwhelmed, healthcare workers are fatigued, and the media continues to amplify pandemic-related narratives.

Daily reminders of the ongoing pandemic affect many "at-risk" Christians, who may not feel comfortable returning to in-person gatherings. I respect their choice and encourage them to continue worshiping online until they feel secure enough to attend physically.

2. The Challenge of Inertia

After prolonged inactivity and isolation, it can be difficult to regain momentum. Inertia, in a physical sense, refers to an object's resistance to changes in its state of motion. The pandemic served as a significant force that halted our forward progress, and it will require a similarly strong push to regain that momentum.

Several factors contribute to this lethargy:

• Grieving losses (jobs, relationships, loved ones)
• Uncertainty about the future
• Political divisions
• Cultural shifts
• Exhaustion from a hectic pre-COVID lifestyle
• Emotional fatigue from new challenges

Ironically, the church—the very institution that should provide stability—has been set aside by some as they navigate forward. This is comparable to a skydiver, overwhelmed by their equipment, deciding to discard their parachute before jumping, which may lighten their load but leads to dire consequences.

3. A Lack of Perceived Value

In economic terms, added value refers to the benefit gained from a product or service beyond its production cost. My church aims to cultivate individuals who promote healing and wholeness within the community, all while being transformed by Jesus.

We pursue this vision through engaging with the Word of God, weekly worship, generous giving, and serving in the community. However, if church members cease to see the value in these efforts, their commitment may wane.

If churchgoers begin to feel that their participation no longer contributes to meaningful change, it is likely they will reconsider their commitment to attending, giving, and serving.

Many have reevaluated their church involvement during the pandemic-induced pause. While some have concluded that their participation was valuable and are gradually returning, others are uncertain and exploring alternative ways to practice their faith. A segment has decided that church involvement did not add value and will not return.

In my upcoming blog post, I will outline seven compelling reasons why returning to regular church attendance is essential for every Christian.