This year’s featured speaker at the Illinois Family Institute’s Worldview Conference was the head of one of our nation’s premier research organizations: Dr. George Barna. Learn more here. His interest in worldview runs deep.
Today, Dr. Barna serves as a professor at Arizona Christian University and Director of Research at its Cultural Research Center. It is here that he focuses on “worldview assessment and development, and cultural transformation.” He is also the Senior Research Fellow at the Family Research Council Center for Biblical Worldview.
I first met Barna in 1988 while working in Christian radio. In those days, his organization was known as the Barna Group—which he sold in 2009. My employer was the owner of a Christian music radio station in Dallas. He wanted to discover topics and themes of the highest interest to our radio listeners. Dr. Barna was invited to join with our staff to consider completing that research. In our meeting, we gleaned insights of the ways faith concepts were received in the larger community.
I’m somewhat partial to a man like Barna because of his heart of compassion. Along with having adopted three daughters with his wife Nancy, George also “adopted” a blind dog they named Ray Charles. Of course. Barna is a Yankees fan but some sins we simply must forgive.
The Barna organization continues to publish research articles at Barna.com. It is here that I was alerted to a recent piece titled, “Why Worship Matters So Much to Christian Moms.”
Good for Mother’s Day…yes?
We start by asking why moms choose to attend church. Most often they logically point to spiritual growth. States Dr. Barna: “They come to learn more about God, deepen their faith and reconnect spiritually—making worship and music a central draw. Busy moms find that worship functions as “a rare and meaningful space to encounter God, recalibrate their hearts and experience spiritual renewal.”
What is termed as “community” is seemingly an equally strong driver of engagement for most moms. They attend church for their children and place a high value on being known and connected. Where do they find their highest level of satisfaction? Small group ministries.
It is in these spaces that they find belonging, shared understanding, and mutual support. During seasons of stress, isolation, or transition this support is invaluable.
If you prefer lists, here are the Top Ten Reasons Why Christian Moms Attend Church:
- To grow in my faith
- To learn about God
- For my children
- Worship/music
- Teachings that are relevant to my life
- To be involved with my community
- “Because I always have”
- Prayer events
- “Because my family does”
- Sacraments
Dr. Barna has another chart showing that “mothers are most satisfied with small groups at church, but mental health support falls short.”
Why do any of us attend church? To hear the Word of God preached, right? Worth noting, Barna reports,
“Only about one in four moms say they are highly satisfied with preaching and teaching.”
And “relevant teaching” ranks lower among the top reasons for attending church. This may suggest “information overload.”
Many moms expressed a desire for more support structures, particularly around mental health and ministries designed specifically for mothers. In today’s world,
“relational connection and emotional support are closely linked needs.”
As with all Barna research, there are lessons to be gleaned from the data. Specifically, for church leadership. As you have read this article, you have likely drawn your own reactions and conclusions.
My own mother (now deceased) had her “struggles” with church. It would be too shallow to say that my mom primarily “went to church” because my father was often quite involved. Rather, my mother was uncomfortable socially and struggled with issues of anxiety. Her preferred seating was in the back of any given church.
After my father died at the age of 55, my mother preferred the comfort of her living room watching services on television every Sunday. She particularly enjoyed Dr. Robert Schuller. Not my cup of tea, but hey…
The Bible gives us a simple instruction on this matter of worship:
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV)
Let’s celebrate Mother’s Day by proactively supporting church ministries that meet their spiritual and social needs.
