Case Statement NCM

We are a society of pluralistic spiritualities 

• While 90% of the population claims they are spiritual, the majority sees no connection with the practice of attending worship with spiritual growth.
• More people claim to be unassociated with ANY faith group (church, synagogue, temple or mosque) than people who claim association.
• The fastest growing group in American religion is the unaffiliated.
• There is a declining ratio of churches in North American to the general population.
• Today, more than 75 million U.S. adults do not attend any faith community.

Vital Christian congregations are important for the development of people

• Healthy congregations help children learn they are loved by God in unconditional ways.
• Healthy congregations help teenagers develop their identity.  
• Congregations help people learn parenting skills, strengthen marriages, and develop sound spiritual practices. 
• Good congregations are there for the elderly, and help give meaning to life.  

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) faces many challenges

• Today, more than 65% of the U.S. population does not live near a Disciples congregation.
• There are 5 U.S. states and 5 provinces in Canada that do not have a Disciples congregation.
• Due to population shift, aging congregations, and low birth rates, Disciples close 50-70 congregations every year.

The world is changing

• Young adults need faith communities that have relevant practices and programs for their lives.
• The rapidly growing racial ethnic population in the U.S. needs to have congregations that meet their cultural needs.
• New communities need congregations to meet the needs of their context.
• The fastest way to reach the unchurched is through new congregations.  
• On a given Sunday, 75% of a new church's worshiping community will be new to church life.