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The Growth of “Nothing in Particular”


A few weeks ago, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life issued the results from their U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, analyzing the religious makeup of our nation and highlighting the current trends in religious life and practice.  This survey was made up of responses from 35,000 persons throughout the country.  The findings of the survey are thought provoking.
    As was expected, the largest Christian group in the country remains the Roman Catholic Church, making up 23.9% of the population.  The second largest group is Evangelical Baptists (including Southern Baptists), making up 10.8% of those surveyed.  The next highest category includes those who identified themselves as “Unaffiliated,” a designation that included atheists (1.6%), agnostics (2.4%), and “nothing in particular” (12.1%).   Methodists represented 5.4% of the population.
    Which of these groups is showing the most growth?  It is the “Unaffiliated” group, particularly those who identify themselves as “nothing in particular.”  These “nothing in particular” persons are not to be thought of as hostile to religion.  Rather, they are often apathetic.  They are not against religious practice; they just don’t see organized religion as relevant in their lives.  While such a realization might seem depressing to those of us who find meaning in the ministry of the church, there is a sense, too, that this survey can inspire us to take seriously our call to be faithful witnesses in a world where the good news of Jesus Christ is needed.
    Indeed, this survey invites us to ask ourselves, “What is our purpose as a church in such a society?”  So often church communities spend more time focused on internal problems and issues rather than being concerned for those beyond the walls of the church, something the gospel of Jesus mandates.  And let’s be honest, sometimes the organized church has not done a good job of conveying Christ’s love and compassion.  Some people in the survey became “nothing in particular” because of a bad experience in church, when instead of compassion and care the church practiced division and even unkindness.  We all know that church communities are not perfect.  It’s true.  We have our own peculiarities and warts.  But a survey like this helps us keep our eyes focused clearly on our ministry of spreading God’s love to the world, beginning with those who are a part of our church family.  The church is God’s gift to us, connecting us with one another as we share this life of faith.  We are a part of the “body of Christ,” not simply many “individuals of Christ.”  
    Yes, we live in a different society from the one that was here when Berea Friendship Church was established.  We find ourselves in a world where organized religion is not a priority for many persons.  But we believe in the power of God to work through the church.  And we have a God-given responsibility to share with those around us that God continues to work in, through, and some days in spite of the church!  Let us open our hearts, our doors, and our minds to those who are “nothing in particular” that they might encounter the particular love of God made known in Jesus Christ.

                            Blessings to you all!
    
                            Pastor Keith