For
decades church attendance has been declining. While there are some exceptions, generally
speaking, in-person/in sanctuary attendance is becoming an experience of the
past.
The
current Covid 19 situation has caused many churches to cease operation and also
has caused many people to stay home from church.
Many
churches offer online streaming services, some have radio broadcasts. I am
anticipating that by the time there is a vaccine for this Covid 19 many folk
who previously had good habit and routine of physical attendance at church will
have lost that habit and will remain at home on Sundays.
I
further anticipate that churches that can pivot from a physical presence
worship experience to an online service will be the churches that will survive
long-term into the 21st Century.
This is not anything to feel bewildered about.
Regarding corporate shareholders...
“Globally, a significant majority of meetings
have fewer than 100 attendees, and in many markets the attendance level is
declining. Smaller companies may see only a handful of attendees, if any.” (see
source 1 at bottom) Yet the shareholders who do not attend in person remain
shareholders in full with right to vote by proxy. They are not less of a
shareholder because they are not physically present.
Viewership of sports on television is measured in
the millions whereas an arena or stadium holds less than 100,000 in attendance.
(See source 2)
And, in 2019 the Beatles album ranked number 3 on
Billboard though they have not provided a concert for over fifty years. (source
3)
One is not less a fan just because they have not
been in person at a sporting event or a concert.
Likewise, one can be fully Christian, enjoy a
meaningful experience, and be inspired by an online service. It is definitely the
church that can make the pivot from physical focus to online that will do well
as time goes on.
Even the idea of church membership or affiliation
may move outside of the physical sanctuary. The church that can extend its
affiliation structure will gain new relationships.
During 1969-1970 my grandmother would listen to a
Christian broadcast on radio station WCMR in Dunlap
There is nothing lacking in an online service or a
radio service.
As time goes on and younger generations feel less
of a need for a 20th century, physical building experience, we have
opportunities to reach far many more people than ever our buildings could hold.
Churches
that are willing to let go of the 20th century model for church stand the
better chance of stepping into the 21st century church opportunity.
1.
2.
(https://www.statista.com/statistics/619023/number-tv-viewers-sporting-events-usa/)
3.
