I was blessed a couple years ago to serve Northridge Church (former North Baptist Church) in Rochester NY. I 
developed a deep respect for their lead pastor, David Whiting, as well as many of their staff and lay leaders (like Kim, Scott, Steve and many others)
I follow David’s blog and recently saw the following from him which really resonated with me. As I read it, I felt like David was repeating what I have been thinking and “preaching” for the past several years. Maybe I am not the only one that sees this trend. Here is it:
I have avoided posting this because I’m not sure how to say it. So I’ll just say it and see how it comes out. I’ve been saying for over a decade that the way people choose a church is very different today than it was in previous generations. But I’ve been doing a lot of reading on a more recent phenomenon of church ministry, so this has me thinking about it a lot more in recent days.
These conclusions are not based on research – but only on my observations, thoughts, and readings:
- In my dad’s generation people would select a church because it was of a particular denomination. They were loyal to their denomination. If they were part of a Baptist church and moved, they’d look for a Baptist Church first, and perhaps, exclusively. They even would look for their exact BRAND of Church. Not just Lutheran, but Missouri Synod Lutheran. Not just Baptist, but Baptist General Conference, etc…
- It seems that in the 1970′s and 1980′s – the loyalty to a particular denomination began to diminish (but certainly not vanish). People moving into town looked primarily in their familiar denomination, but they also wanted “good preaching” (whatever that means to each individual).
- Soon, it was “good preaching” and “good children/youth program.” If they had those two things – they would say loyal to that church. If it was their familiar denomination and/or style – that was an important bonus.
- By the time the 90′s came, it was “good preaching” “good children/youth programs” and “good worship music.” That became equally important with the preaching, for sure, and perhaps, more important than the children and youth programs. But certainly, good preaching wasn’t enough for someone to choose a church anymore.
- Today, it seems to me, the list is larger and it has more to do with “style” and the “DNA” of a church rather than just preaching or ministries.
At first, it would seem that music style reigns, but I really don’t think that is what it is. It is deeper than that. It is the church DNA or the church style, and music is certainly a huge part of that and the leading outward indicator of that mysterious DNA or style. You let me know the opening song of any church and I probably could be pretty accurate about what the rest of the service will feel like.
In fact, it seems to me, denominational affiliation means almost nothing to people choosing churches today. As long as we agree on the majors (salvation by grace, Deity of Christ, etc…) then the minors don’t mean much to people (view of baptism, charismatic gifts, etc…).
Gone are the days of strong ties to a particular denomination or narrow strand of theology. That isn’t good or bad – it is just a fact that we pastors must realize. And there are plenty of good and bad things about that reality, but I’m not sure I’m ready to say them out loud. Maybe some other time.
So…why would people want to come to your church? Do you know what your genetic code is? Do you know what differentiates you from XYZ church.
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Jim Tomberlin
Great article Tim & David!
David-you have described well the shift in choosing a church.
Keep blazing the trail,
MultiSite Guy
January 9th, 2011 at 8:44 am
Howard Freeman
I agree with Jim. Great article and very insightful. Also, when I worked at Gordon-Conwell seminary, we heard from many of our southeastern friends that affinity with denomination is still relevant in this area of the country while it might not be elsewhere, so the reasons people choose churches are also regionally differntiated.
My unchurched friends often value a church/worship place (mainstream, Unitarian, etc.) or preacher because he ‘makes them think.’ At Redeemer, we find people picking services to attend, or Fellowship Groups (home Bible studies) based on whether they feel they’re with people they have affinity with, socially or professionally/relationally (single v. married).
January 10th, 2011 at 11:08 am
Ron Bingham
I was apprehensive about this topic when I started reading but found that it was about trending from generation to generation – not all generations going back to the apostolic days but giving us a recent sense of – forgive me – a combination of selfishness and searching for truth.
If we’re looking for “style”, and in a real sense, we are – and should, since the Body of Messiah as it pertains to local congregations, will serve not just those congregants but the neighboring community and therefore must “lean” in a direction to meet its purpose of why it exists in the location it exists.
But we this must always fit into Eph 4:10-15 to meet the Lord’s purpose for having a Church or Congregation. All congregations exist for one primary purpose on one only … to grow into the completeness of Messiah.
The trending itself describes our thinking as being less than the goal of Messiah but the truth is … we are guilty of being caught up in a combination of wanting truth and style.
I hope where ever anyone goes they understand the true goal of the Lord we are given.
January 11th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Alan Wildes
Good stuff my friend. It is definitely interesting how people find a church home these days.
January 11th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Darrel Starkey
David presents some keen observations and treads into an area that may not necessarily be a flattering commentary to our modern day society. Many of today’s decisions are based on “icing and not on cake”. Perhaps I’ll tread where his thoughts are stored. The societal progression I hear behind the article is…cake, one flavor- cake, multiple flavors- multiple cake flavors, one icing- now, multiple flavors of cake with multiple flavors of icing. Alas! “I am rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing!” (Rev. 3:17). The danger to avoid in this progression is finding the most popular common denominator and serving it up to the masses. The 16th-17th century reformers who founded our many denominations never focused on what was popular but on Truth. Many in earlier generations were loyal not just to the denomination but to the truths that denomination espoused. The Apostle Paul warned Titus- “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number teachers to say what their itching ears (personal taste) want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.(icing)” Serving plain biscuits may not attract the masses, but it’ll feed the hungry.
January 13th, 2011 at 11:30 am
Evangelismcoach
Take a peek at “Surprising Insights from the Unchurched” and you’ll see some statistical research on why people choose a church.
The survey sample are those who have been formerly unchurched and have become actively involved in a local church. It looks at the various factors that were important to those who made that transition (rather than just opinions of the unchurched).
Here are the Top 13 reasons discussed in the book.
http://www.evangelismcoach.org/2010/top-reasons-unchurched-people-choose-a-church/
Chris
February 7th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Erin
I can only say this from personal experience and observation, but these are some of my top priorities when it comes to “shopping” for the right church.
1. Stewardship. How do they spend their money? Are they faithful or do they just spend with reckless abandon. Do they feel deserving of the tithes given in faith or do they feel that it belongs to God and seriously pray and wait on His direction on how to use that money.
Are they always ASKING or pressuring the congregants for more money?
2. Are the people of the church welcoming–is it open to anyone, regardless of what they look or smell like?
3. Beliefs. Do they stand firm on the Bible? Are they willing to stand along side another person to help them in their walk? Does their life reflect that?
4. Attitude. Are the people, staff including, servants (not doormats), or are they self righteous and feel that their particular ministry is most important verses being an important part of the whole.
5. Faith. It really does move mountains. We as the church speak a lot about faith, but the actual use and physical belief of it….
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:11 pm