hether we are sensing increased racial conflict and misapprehensions, or recognizing the ever widening gap between the old and young, our relationships have been strained even before COVID-19 sent us all to our rooms. The church, for some, creates a refuge of support. For others with challenges, the church misses an opportunity. The data, says Brooke Hempell, Senior Vice-President for Research at Barna, informs our approach to actually addressing these challenges.

Recent studies indicate declines in church attendance and spiritual practices. The data indicate a steady decline in faith and beliefs. Hempell acknowledged in an interview that the Christian polling organization sometimes carries the reputation of “Bad News Barna.” However, the methodology and analysis is prophetic, as the research holds a prophetic mirror up to the Body of Christ.

Reports released in the last year, particularly the title “Restoring Relationships,” suggest deeper, foundational interactions mend, or create, lasting bonds.

‘ve seen in the data, and very consistently over decades, that on the whole, black Americans have a deeper faith and better engagement with their faith than the average American of any other ethnic group. We want everyone to know that story, because the story is about how God has really worked through the church and through community to do something awesome.”

“Black church goers are the bellwether of resilient U.S. Christianity. They’re not immune to the broader trends of religious decline, which we do see. But black Americans stand out as faithful, prayerful, and intimately acquainted with the Bible.”

“By no means monolithic, the general portrait of the black church is that of a group of believers who are spiritually disciplined and a force for social change.”

think that people always typecast this generation as not hungry for the Lord, or lukewarm, or that they are only about their own things. No, these students are hungry to connect to God; they want that interaction. We just need to be people who are creating spaces for them to be able to encounter the Lord.”

“There is a popular term that people are talking about, “deconstructing of faith.” And I think that that’s happening, but I think that sometimes it’s happening in a place where there aren’t people to walk with them through the process. So because they’re trying to throw away the problematic parts of faith that have been on display, they end up throwing away the whole thing. Like the ways in which white supremacy and Christianity have been intertwined; we have thrown that away. Take that off, throw it in the trash, but don’t take the whole gospel and throw it away with the trash.”

“I think one of the questions that Generation Z is asking . . . is, is that really consistent with what the gospel really is? I think Generation Z is very, very big on inclusion. They want everyone to feel welcomed. They want to feel like they are trustworthy to all of these different people. There are ways in which faith can be communicated that feels very down-putting and exclusionary. And so it’s like, how is the gospel good news? And what does Jesus have to say about racial injustice? What does Jesus have to say about mental health?”

ingles really need some special care. We tend to focus so much on family in the church—and it’s a good thing to focus on—but that can alienate our singles. They want to be with families. So remember to draw them in and provide ways for them to be an important part of the church community. I think that’s really essential, and we see that in our data. They have a lot to give. And so we want to give them space to give, but also not wear them out. We just want to love them and know them.”

• The top reason given by practicing Christians who have distanced themselves from a church is, “I felt I couldn’t be honest about myself and my life” (35%). Other reasons center on relational discord, including disagreement with church teaching (17%), disliking treatment by church leaders (15%) and disliking treatment by other congregants (16%). p. 91 Barna Research’s Restoring Relationships

Here’s a closer look at people who have distanced themselves from the church, and what they have been dealing with:

• Difficult childhoods – 32% vs. 14%

• Less likely to have always felt loved – 49% vs. 63%
• Less likely to have felt safe – 47% vs. 65%
• Less likely to have felt understood – 17% vs. 29%
• More likely to have felt lonely – 28% vs. 12%

Current relational challenges:

• Less likely to presently feel loved always – 44% vs. 58%
• Less likely to be satisfied with their relationships – 70% vs. 81%
• Less likely to feel satisfied with their life – 65% to 82%
• More likely to have been touched by trauma related to divorce – 43% vs. 38%
• More likely to have been touched by infidelity – 56% vs. 28%
• More likely to have been touched by depression or anxiety – 73% vs. 43%

• More likely to have been touched by addiction – 42% vs. 19%

• More likely to have been touched by pornography or sexual addiction – 28% vs. 15%