To close out 2014, the Barna Group released 10 facts about the unchurched in America, especially salient as their numbers grow and as fewer Americans attend church.
According to Barna, the number of unchurched people in America would make up the eighth most populous country in the world. As of 2014, the estimated number of people in the U.S. who are “churchless”—meaning they have not attended a Christian church service, other than a special event such as a wedding or a funeral, at any time during the past six months—stands at 114 million. Add to that the roughly 42 million children and teenagers who are unchurched for a total of 156 million U.S. residents who are not engaged with a Christian church.
The American Pastors Network says while these numbers are disappointing and alarming, true change in America will happen through the “Rise of the Remnant,” or those who are left with a passion that still remains for God.
“Let’s contrast the ‘Rise of the Churchless’ with the ‘Rise of the Remnant,'” said APN President Sam Rohrer, who is also president of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network. “God’s people have a crucial role in the midst of chaos, and especially among these millions of unchurched.”
The “remnant” is described in the Bible as “what remains of a group of people after most of that group has been destroyed or lost through dispersal brought upon by judgment or the following of apostasy.” As more and more churches water down or even flatly reject biblical truth in favor of seeking the world’s approval, this remnant will become even more apparent.
Several verses in the Bible address this “remnant,” including 2 Kings 19:31, which says, “For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors; the zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this,” and Isaiah 28:5, “In that day the Lord Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people.” Paul also talks about the “remnant” in Romans 11:5: “So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.”
“The whole of God’s people can focus on their important role in the midst of confusion, and as the number of churchless rises, the ‘remnant,’ armed with the power of truth, can recalibrate a culture that has jettisoned its moral compass,” Rohrer said. “This ‘remnant’ will be bold to speak the truth on how morality and God’s standards can reset broken families, organize an aimless society and secure God’s blessings on our nation.”
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