The biggest winner of this year’s Olympic competitions appears to be “advertiser anxiety.” The viewership on the opening days for Tokyo’s events has been dismal compared to past years. Nielson ratings report viewers tuning in for the first three nights of the competition were 30% less than the Rio de Janeiro games in 2016. So, the advertisers who spent big bucks on splashy ads likely have buyer’s remorse.
Plummeting interest in the Olympic Games isn’t the only report concerning declines announced this week. Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy released a statement on Tuesday that reveals the number of Americans giving to charities has declined to 46%. The university has been tracking this data bi-annually since at least 2000 when the findings found 66% of U.S. households donated to a charitable organization.
Unfortunately, we do not need a survey to know charitable giving to religious organizations is also in decline. Many houses of worship are experiencing a decrease in offerings, compounded mainly by a reduction in membership. In March, the Gallup polling organization announced U.S. church membership fell below a majority for the first time. In 2020, 47% of American adults belonged to a church, synagogue, or mosque, down more than twenty points since the turn of the century. This dramatic change is primarily due to the rise of Americans with no religious preference.
Our congregation has weathered the declining environs that surround us better than many other faith communities. Yet, we are experiencing similar challenges. While our worship attendance has remained stable, pandemic-related effects have reduced revenues for our ministries. We pray the generosity of hearts will change the trajectory away from decline.
Participation in worship helps raise awareness and inspires compassion and support for God’s creation and those in need. Therefore, we invite you to join us each Sunday morning and pray with us to change the declining attitudes that surround us. We gather this Sunday, August 1st, at our 9:15 AM (indoors) and 10:30 AM (outdoor drive-in). With your participation, we will experience the thrill of victory and evade the agony of defeat!