It’s the time of year when churches do their planning, looking ahead to parishioners returning from vacations, hoping the pews will fill up, that at least attendance will be at pre-pandemic levels. But that’s probably not going to be the case. The proportion of Americans who call themselves “nones” continues to increase.
Who are they? Why have they abandoned the patterns of their youth? In his book, The Nones: Where They Came From, Who they Are, and Where they are Going, Ryan Burge, a pastor and professor, seeks to address these issues and how the pandemic influenced our idea of church and church-going.
Much of what is happening in churches can be tied to the political landscape, especially when churches are less about theological inquiry and how to live your faith than they are about supporting one candidate over another. They reflect the deep polarization in American society, and the “nones” want none of it.
Prayer for the Day
Save us from ourselves, O God, from narrowness of mind,
As we face the deep divisions among us as a society;
Save us from our inability to broaden our perspectives,
As we cut ourselves off from those outside our circle
Give us guidance on how to listen, how to talk to others,
Even those with whom we have deep and abiding differences.
In the name of the One who always listens,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The idea that you are either with us or against us is a limiting lens that perpetuates humanity's suffering. The recognition that you are us, that everyone is us, allows our self-love to humanize others into belonging.
Gareth Gwyn, writer, from You Are Us: How to Build Bridges in a Polarized World
[People who disconnect from religion] just felt, for whatever reason, that religion was not a good fit for them. And so they drift towards people, drift towards places where they feel they belong.
Ryan Burge, pastor, social scientist
O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from the heart,
Who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends,
Nor take up a reproach against their neighbors.
Psalm 15: 1-3