Church Goers hit an All time low

[the_bob_delusion]

These faithful Catholics are a diminishing demographic. Fewer than one in eight Catholics attends Mass on any weekend, the lowest average in recorded Australian history, according to figures released at the weekend.

But the church is still better off than most denominations, with Anglicans - the next biggest group - finding only 10 per cent of worshippers in church an average of at least once a month, and possibly as little as half of that going every week.

The Catholic Church's chief researcher, Bob Dixon, said the sex abuse crisis within the church had affected attendance less than expected.

He said an average of 665,000 people attended Catholic churches each weekend in May 2011, when the most recent national attendance count was done.

He predicted Mass attendances would continue the trend of slight decline for another 15 years, then stabilise after the baby boomer generation passed. Immigrants from non-English speaking backgrounds were the main source of growth.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/a-thinning-flock-of-catholics-at-alltime-low-20130922-2u81i.html#i...

Why aren't you going to the church?

I actually think going to church is good thing. It gets people together and gives them a sense of community. I just wished they change the content of what they preach. 

[grumpy*cat*rocks]

The old style church services are for the most part boring.

There are many more, more upbeat type churches around. We regularly go to once such church. They have a great coffee shop with cakes and other treats, and are very welcoming to newcomers. Instead of hymms they sing more 'rock' type songs that get your feet tapping. Their pastors wear jeans and casual shirts.

Both young and old attend, they have a wide variety of other programs on other days, the bible is not shoved down your throat.

My husband and I were once Anglicans but once we were older we grew away from the church. Then a friend told us about this one and we went for a visit, and regularly return. Not every week, but a couple of times a month.

I was recently injured and on crutches, couldn't get around much. We received a lovely bunch of flowers and a couple of home cooked meals, offers to help with anything that needed doing.

And we've only been attending this church for 4 months, didn't realise that we'd be missed.

No way could I endure another stuffy service with old style hymms and a man dressed in robes preaching at me.

[no_tv*10]

My hubby's best friend became a priest a few years ago

and we had to sit through the ordinations and ceremonies...and I can see why people don't go to church!!!! 

[lakeland27]

i like the way people go as long as they can dig the music and the denim.  says a lot about commitment.  'i'll go as long as its fun'

[grumpy*cat*rocks]

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@lakeland27 wrote:

i like the way people go as long as they can dig the music and the denim.  says a lot about commitment.  'i'll go as long as its fun'

---

It's more than that lakeland, and nowhere in my post did I say "I'll go as long as it's fun." Please do not put words in  that I did not say thanks all the same.

They do preach, but not in a fire and brimstone fashion.They accept people who are what they are. There is no judgement. There is no shouting about going to hell for doing this or that. They preach forgiveness, that the Lord forgave those who sinned.

It's a modern take on religion without the candles and incense smells.

The sermons have a lighter side, they make people laugh, but still get the message across.

If 70 and 80 year old who have been going to the old style churches for most of their life and finding them lacking, now actually enjoy coming to church each week that surely says something.

Even Father Bob Maguire in Melbourne, whilst still preaching wearing the robes etc, has a much more 'liberal' approach to religion which explains why he is so well liked and respected even by those who scorn religion.

[polksaladallie]

The pastors wear jeans because jeans have lots of pockets.    

[no_tv*10]

Oh my G*# the sermons and initiations I recently went to definately had incense and candles...and all robes!!! Priest could only bless me and not offer communion (as i am not catholic). Ended up find

ing out I was pregnant with twins a week later. Never again!!!!

[lakeland27]

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@grumpy*cat*rocks wrote:

---

@lakeland27 wrote:

i like the way people go as long as they can dig the music and the denim.  says a lot about commitment.  'i'll go as long as its fun'

---

It's more than that lakeland, and nowhere in my post did I say "I'll go as long as it's fun." Please do not put words in  that I did not say thanks all the same.

They do preach, but not in a fire and brimstone fashion.They accept people who are what they are. There is no judgement. There is no shouting about going to hell for doing this or that. They preach forgiveness, that the Lord forgave those who sinned.

It's a modern take on religion without the candles and incense smells.

The sermons have a lighter side, they make people laugh, but still get the message across.

If 70 and 80 year old who have been going to the old style churches for most of their life and finding them lacking, now actually enjoy coming to church each week that surely says something.

Even Father Bob Maguire in Melbourne, whilst still preaching wearing the robes etc, has a much more 'liberal' approach to religion which explains why he is so well liked and respected even by those who scorn religion.

---

i wasn't directing the post to anyone in particular. i used to go along years ago because of the insistence of others, the observations i made are firsthand and aren't a criticism really. just observations.

although the atmosphere is definitely lighter, the air of condemnation and judgement is still present and the legalism stronger than it ever was . I recall my devoutly catholic grandfather (mass every day) being far more open to peoples differences and choices than i found there.

[grumpy*cat*rocks]

My apologies then lakeland.

[bright.ton42]

I actually think going to church is good thing. It gets people together and gives them a sense of community. I just wished they change the content of what they preach. 

 OP I didn't get the impression you go to church so just wondering how you know what they preach -  and who would 

be 'they?'   Just interested.    As others here have said many churches have changed their approach to their Services -  certainly the catholic church I go to(bout twice a year) is very liberal and the sermons are human and more like a conversation.  The priest sometimes

comes down and sits on the steps in front of the altar. and almost always cracks jokes.  I don't know where they preach fire and

brimstone but doubt that in this day and age there would be too many keen to listen to that stuff.  

I absolutely agree with what you say about church being a good thing and getting people together, I just wish

I could get myself there more often.

I really like the sound of the church grumpy cat talks about though.