What are the factors behind the increasing irregular church-attendance of committed Christians?

Archbihop Writes
by Peter Jensen

When I first started going to church we were in an era of relatively large church attendance. But it was fairly clear even then that this would not last, because large numbers of those who identified with church only did so in a nominal way.
Sure enough, during the 1960s church going dropped away. From then on it has mostly been those who wanted to go to church rather than those who felt that it was a duty to be present. In many ways this has made our churches stronger. There is a high level of informed commitment in the churches.
But in the last few years a new and, for me, puzzling phenomenon has emerged. It is this: significant numbers of our well-instructed and keen Christians come only irregularly to church.
This presents a puzzle and a challenge. One of the most obvious things we can do at once as far as the Mission is concerned is to encourage regular church attendance. It would instantly boost membership, and it is precisely these people that we are hoping will be trained and ready to win and nurture others.
But they cannot do so if they are not in church. Worse, if their children are also irregular in attendance, we are failing the crucial next generation.
So what are the reasons? I can imagine a few: we are busier and tireder now than ever before; we have more weekend pleasure destinations; sport is now played on Sunday mornings.
It may be, also, that church does not appeal. Perhaps it seems boring; perhaps it does not provide adequately for children; perhaps the times of services are wrong; perhaps the minister preaches poorly; perhaps no one seems to care whether we are present or not; perhaps we have not been challenged to contribute in ministry. Perhaps in the final analysis this is a spiritual problem for the people involved.

I have suggested that churches conduct a self-analysis or audit. Here is an area which should be given special attention. Irregular members may very well be able to put their finger on the weaknesses of our church which also would turn all sorts of other people off. At the same time, we may be able – lovingly - to challenge those who don’t come every week.
I mention the word ‘lovingly’ because an invitation to self analysis like this can also be an opportunity merely to vent our criticisms in an unhelpful and destructive way. There are two helpful steps you can take.
If you want to respond publicly to this piece of mine, which I hope some people will, contact the editor, Jeremy Halcrow, and arrange to write a brief constructive article or letter for Southern Cross.
More importantly, however, please raise the matter of the missing members in your congregation and see what lies behind this problem.