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“The Nones” is a term that has gained traction in sociological, religious, and political discourses. It refers to a growing demographic group that, when asked about their religious affiliation, chooses the option “none.” This group includes atheists, agnostics, secular humanists, and those who believe in a higher power or consider themselves spiritual but do not identify with a specific religion.

The Rise of the Nones

The rise of “the nones” marks a significant shift in the religious landscape, particularly in the Western world. In the United States, for instance, the number of people identifying as religiously unaffiliated has grown dramatically in the past few decades. A study by the Pew Research Center reported that as of 2019, “the nones” accounted for about 26% of the U.S. population, up from 17% in 2009.

Who are the Nones?

“The nones” represent a heterogeneous group, embodying a broad range of beliefs, attitudes, and backgrounds. While some identify as atheists or agnostics, explicitly rejecting belief in God, others may hold spiritual beliefs but reject organized religion or do not align with any specific religious tradition.

Demographically, younger generations are more likely to be religiously unaffiliated than their older counterparts. Other demographic trends include higher levels of education and a tendency towards liberal political views. However, this group is not homogeneous and includes people from all walks of life.

Why the Shift?

There is no singular reason for this societal shift but rather a convergence of sociocultural changes. Modern secular societies have seen a rise in individualism and a decline in traditional institutional authority, impacting religious institutions. Additionally, the influence of science and rational thought, the problem of evil, and religious exclusivity or intolerance issues can contribute to religious disaffiliation.

Impact and Implications

The rise of “the nones” has considerable implications, particularly in politics, social policy, and community life. Politically, the religiously unaffiliated tend to lean more liberal, impacting voting patterns and policy preferences. Regarding social policy, issues around the separation of church and state, religious education, and religious freedom are increasingly significant.

On a community level, as religious institutions traditionally played roles in social cohesion, charitable work, and moral guidance, the rise of “the nones” raises questions about how these roles will be filled moving forward.

Looking Ahead

As the religious landscape continues to shift, understanding “the nones” becomes important for the church consultant. Whether this trend will continue or plateau is yet to be seen, but what’s clear is that the conversation around belief, faith, and spirituality is evolving. Religion, once assumed to be a given, is increasingly becoming a choice. This phenomenon challenges religious institutions and society at large to adapt and engage in new ways with matters of faith and belief.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

Another book I recommend for those considering church consulting is “The Unstuck Church: Equipping Churches to Experience Sustained Health” by Tony Morgan. It offers a comprehensive guide for the church consultant to help churches grow and remain vital. Morgan utilizes his extensive experience in church leadership to dissect the lifecycle of churches and provide strategies for each stage of this lifecycle. The book is a valuable resource for established and emerging church leaders, encouraging them to evaluate their current situations and prepare for the future.

Morgan starts the book by exploring the concept of a church’s lifecycle, breaking it down into seven stages: Launch, Momentum Growth, Strategic Growth, Sustained Health, Maintenance, Preservation, and Life Support. He emphasizes the natural progression of organizations through these stages but underlines the significance of understanding where your church is to apply appropriate growth strategies.

In the ‘Launch’ stage, churches are typically focused on surviving and creating their community. The ‘Momentum Growth’ stage sees the church growing rapidly, often associated with dynamic leadership and clear vision. ‘Strategic Growth’ is characterized by implementing effective structures and systems to manage the growing church. ‘Sustained Health’ is the optimal stage where churches balance the influx of new believers with developing existing members into leaders.

In contrast, the final three stages—’ Maintenance,’ ‘Preservation,’ and ‘Life Support’—reflect declining phases. The ‘Maintenance’ stage is a plateau phase where growth stagnates, while ‘Preservation’ is a declining phase where traditions overshadow the mission. Finally, churches risk closure in the ‘Life Support’ stage if significant changes are not implemented.

Tony Morgan guides leaders in identifying their church’s current stage and what to expect in the following stages. He provides practical advice, tools, and strategies to propel the church toward sustained health. For instance, in the growth stages, he emphasizes the need for a clear vision and mission, good leadership, and efficient systems to manage growth. Conversely, he offers solutions for declining churches that involve challenging the status quo, reviving the mission, and focusing on outreach.

The author also stresses the importance of measuring church health not just by the number of attendees but also by the church’s ability to fulfill its mission, make disciples, and impact its community positively. He argues that a church in ‘Sustained Health’ can have as much impact if not more, than one in ‘Momentum Growth,’ given that it successfully balances attracting new members and nurturing existing ones.

Morgan encourages leaders to take risks and innovate. He emphasizes that churches must constantly adapt to the changing cultural landscape to remain relevant and vibrant. This may involve adjusting their messaging, updating their ministry methods, or changing their physical settings.

Throughout the book, Tony Morgan combines his extensive knowledge of church leadership with a genuine passion for helping churches flourish. He consistently underlines the importance of relying on God’s guidance and the necessity of prayerful decision-making.

“The Unstuck Church” is a valuable resource for church leaders of all types and sizes. It is rich in practical advice, backed by solid theological understanding, and designed to help leaders evaluate their current situations and prepare for the future. Its wisdom transcends denominational boundaries, making it relevant and applicable to any church seeking to navigate the ebbs and flows of its lifecycle effectively.

In conclusion, “The Unstuck Church” by Tony Morgan is a roadmap for churches that want to maintain sustained health and vitality in their mission and ministry. It provides valuable insights into the stages of church growth and the strategies to help maintain momentum, tackle challenges, and ensure continued growth. A church consultant can help churches remain unstuck and vibrant for years by reading and implementing its principles.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

We are in a series called “Sword Sharpening” and looking at how to make the most out of your time with the Bible. This week we are continuing our look at the storyline of the Bible, which we call His Story, and we will look at the third section, Genesis Chapters 12-50, and call it the Kingdom Covenant. Right after the Tower of Babel events in Genesis Chapter 11, we are introduced to Abraham.

Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV)
1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

This is God’s second covenant after the events of the Fall. The first covenant was with Noah after the Flood. Both covenants were designed to preserve God’s desire for a human family. God never gives up on humanity, and He reveals His rescue plan will come through one family, the people of Abraham, who later become the nation of Israel. In Genesis Chapters 12 -50, we are introduced to the following three generations of Abraham’s family, represented by Isaac and Jacob, and Joseph. Eventually, as His Story develops through the rest of the Old Testament, we will ultimately meet Jesus, who is born through Abraham’s lineage at the beginning of the New Testament. Jesus is the one promised, the one all of this points to.

Galatians 3:26-29 (NRSV)
26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

We will learn that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph lived by faith. They believed in and held on to this covenant God made with Abraham, even though they didn’t see it come to fulfillment in their lifetimes.

Hebrews 11:8-10 (NIV)
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Hebrews 11:13 (NIV)
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.

Abraham died without ever receiving the promise that God gave him. Isaac died without ever receiving the promise that God gave him, Jacob, and Joseph. They all died before the promised Messiah came, before the promised kingdom came, before all the promises that were given initially in the Abrahamic covenant.

The writer of Hebrews is illustrating the most critical message that the world will ever hear by looking at the life and death of these patriarchs. It is important to note that they were far from perfect. They made a lot of mistakes and a lot of bad choices in their lives. Even with their often messy lives, they died in faith. They died confident that the promise would be fulfilled even though they had not yet received it. They believed at the very end of their life that God, who had not yet fulfilled His promise, would fulfill it even after they were gone. That is why the writer of Hebrews makes examples of them. Their lives demonstrate that salvation is by faith alone, by grace through faith, not by works. It’s always been that way.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

We will be looking at this and a lot more this weekend at Keys Vineyard Church so make plans to join us in-person or watch online.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.