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Unsurprisingly, those who attend more frequently are more likely to also be members. Churchgoers who attend a worship service at least four times a month are more likely to be a member of that church than those who attend one to three times a month (88% vs. 74%).
Those who attend a Restorationist movement church (92%) are more likely than those going to a non-denominational (77%) or Methodist church (75%) to be a member.
Additionally, churchgoing men are more likely than their female counterparts to be members (86% vs. 79%). Those who graduated college (86%) are more likely than those with some college or less formal education (80%) to say they’re also a church member.
Meanwhile, white churchgoers (18%) are among the most likely to say they aren’t a member at their church.
Reasons for not being a church member
Among those who attend who are not currently a member, most say it’s more a matter of time than an active choice.
Around two in five (39%) say they aren’t a member because they haven’t been attending their current church long enough. Almost a quarter (22%) say they simply haven’t gotten around to it.
Fewer say they don’t see the value in church membership (15%), don’t believe church membership is biblical (8%), don’t want the responsibility (7%) or don’t want to be under the church’s authority (3%).
Some place the responsibility on their church, as 8% say their church doesn’t have membership, 4% don’t meet the church’s requirements for membership and 3% say the church has not shared the importance of membership. Around one in eight (13%) say it’s another reason, and 4% aren’t sure.
“Among churchgoers who are not church members, there does not appear to be much urgency or conviction that it is needed. This should compel churches who do value membership to communicate this more clearly,” said McConnell.