Americans Losing Faith, But Local Church Seems To Be Exception
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Americans are losing faith. A Pew survey reveals the number of Christians has been dropping dramatically over the past decade.
Tracey Leong explains how one local church is trying to reverse the trend.
While Christianity is declining nationwide, here in Baltimore County at the Church of the Nativity, they are actually seeing quite the opposite.
The Catholic parish community is continually growing---contrasting the national direction where the Christian faith is slipping. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, in 2007, nearly 80% of Americans identified as Christians. Seven years later, the number is dropping---a decline of more than five million adults.
The study, including 35,000 adults, didn't give a reason for the decline but shows
millennials are less likely to affiliate with any religions.
It's a trend Christopher Wesley with Church of the Nativity is hoping to see change.
"Always been focused on finding those people who are dechurched or unchurched or never had an experience of church and want to reach out to them to create an irresistible environment for them to grow in their faith," Wesley said.
Every weekend, more than 4,000 members fill the Lutherville Timonium parish and they're quickly reaching their maximum capacity. Members believe their community is growing because they're more accessible and their service is less tradition.
"Do things a little differently to appeal to everybody. It's not just for one person; it's for everyone," said member Anne Healy.
The Church of the Nativity is planning on expanding its campus to keep up with the growing membership.
For every person converting to Christianity, four are leaving the faith.