There is a phenomenon happening within the American religious environment. Did you know that nearly half of all adults are leaving the faith of their upbringing to either switch allegiances or abandon religious affiliation altogether.

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life interviewed more than 35,000 people. Their conclusions are interesting. Most apparent is that "...mainline churches are in decline and independent churches are gaining. The ranks of the unaffiliated are growing." This is bad news for churches with strong central governments but it nevertheless, may reflect where God's Spirit is leading.

I talked with a friend in Florida a few weeks ago who described the growing congregation his wife and children attend. He said it's a large church but it surprised him that there was no indication outside or inside the building of denominational attachment. A visitor may leave without a clue of any political organization outside the congregation. A deliberate attempt is made to underplay any denominational identity so as to blend with independent churches. And for good reason.

The Pew Forum observed that the religious face of the United States is changing. As a country we used to be predominantly protestant but that's about to change. It's now at 51% and slipping.

A few other facts:

• More than one-quarter of adults have left the faith of their childhood.
• One in four adults aged 18 to 29 claim no affiliation with a religious institution.
• People moving into non-aligned churches outnumber those moving out by a three-to-one margin.
• Changes in affiliation are swelling the ranks of nondenominational churches, while Baptist and Methodist are showing net losses.

The Cincinnati Enquirer quoted a lady from the east side of Cincinnati explaining why she left the Catholic Church of her youth, "I found myself going through the motions." It is reminiscent of Jesus' statement about those who worship God in vain. (Matt. 15:9) He doesn't say they don't worship God, but their worship is ineffective.

Penn State University sociologist Roger Finke was consulted on the survey. "In the past, certain religions had a real holding power, where people from one generation to the next would stay. Right now, there is a dropping confidence in organized religion...."

In Cincinnati the church experiencing the greatest growth is nondenominational. It began 12 years ago with a handful of people in a rented room and now weekend services attract about 8,000 to 10,000.

It would be a mistake to think the Church of God is isolated from the national trends. The dominant organizations have shown no significant growth in the last 25 years. The plethora of home fellowships that have developed is evidence that many members still maintain the faith but have deliberately chosen to avoid one of the organizations that under funds and undermines local congregations.

Locally the blessings are apparent. Last Sabbath set a record for attendance, in fact the largest we have had in 13 years since we first met as a congregation. This follows a near record attendance at a Super Sabbath one month prior.

The blessings are not limited to local church attendance. The Gatlinburg Retreat nearly doubled in size this year compared to last. The Winter Family Tournament in Lexington, Kentucky continues to grow. The subscription list of Faith Networks increases at a steady and regular pace.

But quantity chased quality. Internal changes preceded external. A healthy congregation grows just as a growing plant has a healthy root structure.

As we were leaving the retreat in Gatlinburg a couple of weeks ago one of the young adults who drove over 500 miles to attend said to me, "I made friends both here and in Lexington that I will have for the rest of my life." The connection to one another and to God is a long term connection. Several of the young adults are now discussing baptism.

When many Pharisees and Sadducees came to John the Baptist to see what all the stir over him was about, he warned them "not think that 'We have Abraham as our Father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham." (Matt 3:9 NIV) The lesson of the 1^st Century Church is still being learned. God is sovereign. He will work where he chooses.

As the surfer said about his skill at the sport, "I don't make the waves. I just fine the good one and ride it." As a church we must recognize the sovereignty of God. We don't chose where the Spirit moves. We just recognize it and respond.

Until next time,