Researchers: People see churches as helpful in fighting loneliness, less important on other issues
Churches are seen as playing an important role in helping people deal with the epidemic of loneliness that is sweeping through modern America but not as key players on other pressing issues.
That’s according to a researchers at the Barna Group, an organization that monitors cultural and religious trends.
One troubling finding, Barna found, is that the research found most urban dwellers consider the church as simply “a piece of the puzzle” in dealing with issues like homelessness, poverty, healthcare, and racism.
“Indeed, respondents expect a lot from other institutions that they feel should do the heavy lifting of addressing local issues,” Barna wrote in a recent article. “They name city council members, the mayor, community residents and community groups as entities that should do the bulk of the work.”
Barna said the survey of 2,000 people living in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Portland, Phoenix, Chicago, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Houston, found that most think ordinary citizens and families should be more responsible than religious leaders and churches when it comes to dealing with community concerns.
“Across the board, Christian churches and religious organizations are not the first groups that city dwellers think of as well suited to address a range of issues,” Barna reported. “While churched adults are slightly more inclined to feel churches and religious organizations could create meaningful change or tackle key concerns, they still favor the experience and leadership of other political or civil bodies.”
But, when it comes to the matter of loneliness, people think churches are well positioned to address the problem.
“This finding is notable, both for highlighting the top issue locals entrust to churches and as a sign of common ground in perceptions among the churched and unchurched,” Barna said.
Rhys Stenner, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in metro Atlanta, said the church’s primary purpose will always be to share the gospel.
“This is by no means a retreat from the public sphere,” he said. “We are training our people every week in serving the community whether at the state or courthouse, business, school, hospital or home.”
However, Stenner said he’s pleased people recognize the importance of the church in dealing with loneliness.
SEE LONELINESS, I5