This document discusses the declining state of Christianity in America and the need for churches to change in order to thrive. It notes that while many Americans identify as Christian, far fewer regularly attend church. Younger generations in particular are spending less time in church and more time engaged in other activities. As a result, churches are getting older and less appealing. The document argues that churches must embrace contemporary worship, innovative practices, technology, and real community in order to address humanity's need for meaning and stay relevant. Real change requires rethinking what church is and expanding involvement beyond Sunday services. Churches must be less nostalgic and more visionary to survive in today's environment.

1. Being the Church in the Age
of the Dispirited
Scott Thumma Hartford Institute for Religion Research

2. A Christian Nation of 350,000 Congregations

3. 80% say they are sure there is a God &
belong to a faith group

4. 75% of Americans identify as “Christian”

5. 65% claim an affiliation with a congregation

6. 49% are claimed as adherents by congregations

7. 40% tell surveys they attend weekly

8. 20% of Americans actually attend weekly

9. A Christian Nation?
And how many of these are involved –
leading and serving?

13. And in New England?

16. And in Lutheran New England

18. Not Quite Dying…
But Needing to Change

19. Getting Older

21. Less Appealing to the Young

22. The time spent on computers by 8-18 year-olds
tripled from 1999 to 2009.
With More Competition for Their Time
Nearly 70% of US children (age 6-17) play team sports, three
out of four teenagers play at least one team sport.
8-18 year-olds average 71/2
hours of entertainment media a day (over 53 hours
a week).
7th
-12th
graders spend 11/2
hours a day sending or receiving texts.

23. And Ours

24. Getting Larger
and smaller…

25. Megachurch
Proliferation

27. A weakening of denominational labels and
affiliation within churches

29. Less Vitality

31. So how can you thrive as the
Church in the Age of the Dispirited?

32. Churches Have To Be Wiser…
And Less Wistfully Nostalgic

33. The Challenge:
Change or die a slow death.

34. Contemporary Worship

36. And/or/both Innovative

37. Embrace Technology

39. The first step in
Transformative Change is:
“Establish a sense of urgency”
(Leading Change John Kotter)
You must change in order to address
humanity’s quest for meaning and community
– To offer an authentic encounter with God
in this day and age and into the future.

40. Real Change Requires Rethinking Church
•Think of “church” in less building & worship service-
centric ways.
•Expand what counts as involvement in the
congregation.
•Ask yourself - what do our potential visitors’ value?
•Make faith more meaningful in their everyday lives.
•Be less denominational and more visionary,
progressive, activist – outspoken!
•Do your good works in the world.
•Intentionally create real community.
•Make sure members' time spent in church is
spiritually meaningful.

41. A Conversation about Change and
Innovation
Scott Thumma
Email: sthumma@hartsem.edu
Web: www.hartfordinstitute.org