I recently re-read the statistics that show that most churches in America have either reached a plateau or are in decline. Even most of the churches that are growing are increasing through transfer growth or church switching. A brief summary of church attendance statistics give us a better picture of today’s churches:

• The percentage of people attending a Christian church on any weekend is far below what pollsters report. (see www.theamericanchurch.org
• Weekend attendance at Christian churches has stayed virtually the same since 1990. (see www.theamericanchurch.org)
• Millennials are least likely to attend church in a typical weekend (33%), followed by Gen X (43%), then Boomers (49%), and finally Silents and GIs (54%). (see www.barna.org)
• Established churches are declining in attendance by 1-2 percent per year. (see www.theamericanchurch.org)
• More than two-thirds of young adults who attend a Protestant church in high school will drop out of church for at least a year before their 22nd birthday. (see www.lifeway.com)
  
  According to a recent survey conducted by LifeWay Research (see www.lifeway.com), many young adults are leaving churches or do not attend because they find it irrelevant to their lives. While many young adults seek community and relationships with others, they indicate that the lack of opportunities for connection within the church is frustrating and discouraging.

Recently, the percentage of young adults in our church has grown.  25% of our church is made up of all young adults. I am very excited to see what God is doing in this area, knowing what the statistics are telling us.  Young adults are a very difficult group of people to reach.  I believe it is God's plan to continue to grow this group of people at our church in huge ways, and it's exciting to feel chosen by God to take on this challenge!

We are now busy planning our Fall Open House.  We will be sending out a record number of personal invitations (direct mailers) in September.  BHCC is planning a 'Rally Day' on Sunday, Sept. 13th.  We will have a carry-in dinner at the Mosaic Cafe from 4-6:30pm.  (Yes, so all can be home in time for the bills game at 7pm! :-).

Fall is my very favorite time of year!  I don't want to wish summer away by any means, but I am sooo looking forward to all God will do in us and through us this Fall!

Blessed be the name of the Lord forever and ever!