There is a frightening trend in contemporary Christianity. It’s a phenomenon known as “believing without belonging.” Large numbers of individuals say they believe in Jesus Christ but no longer belong to, or participate in, the communal life of the Church. Why? What is behind this trend? What can we do about it?
Likely we all have family members and friends who have stopped going to Church. It is not unusual to hear them say, “I am a Christian, but I don’t go to church anymore,” or “I am spiritual, but I do not believe in organized religion.” Hearing someone say these things always saddens me.
One question we should all ask ourselves is this: “Do I only believe in Jesus, or do I also believe Jesus?” Reread that question carefully. Those are two entirely different things. We can believe in Jesus as a historical figure, but not believe His teachings. Jesus instituted His Church. His Church is known as the “Bride of Christ.” Jesus wants to have an intimate relationship with His Church. Can anyone truly be a follower of Christ and not be a member of His Church?
The concept of “believing without belonging” highlights a disconnect between personal faith and communal worship. Sadly, way too many people today express a belief in Christ but choose not to be an active participant in a faith community. Secularization has led to a decline in traditional religious observance. Too many people today distance themselves from organized religion. They claim their spirituality is a personal matter.
A communal faith
Our Christian faith, as established by Jesus, is inherently a communal faith. Jesus, Himself, established the Church and He called us to be a part of it. So, if we say we are followers of His, it seems paradoxical to say, “I am a Christian, but I am not into the church thing.” To say this seems to be rejecting His call to physically, not merely spiritually, be “an active part of the one body.”
Our Christian faith is deeply rooted in the community of believers. No Christian should be alone and isolated. Faith is much more than a private relationship between a believer and God. We are meant to be actively in physical communion with others. We need the Church to provide a nurturing environment where we can grow in faith, supported by the collective experience and wisdom of the entire community.
Unfortunately, many Christians prioritize personal spirituality over communal worship. For them, a Church community seems restrictive or unnecessary.
The Church itself is not without fault. Too often some parishes present an unwelcoming atmosphere. This can lead people to feel alienated rather than embraced. The bureaucratic nature of some Church structures can also detract from the pastoral care that we all seek. People can feel disconnected.
To combat this, our churches should encourage dialogue and understanding among their members. When the Church fosters an inclusive atmosphere, it helps individuals feel valued and connected. Ultimately this encourages them to participate more fully in the life of the community.
The decline in Mass attendance can be attributed to secularization, a crisis of belonging, internal challenges within the Church, and the cultural shift that prioritizes individualism over communal worship.
Another major issue leading to believing without belonging is the large number, more than 40,000, of Christian denominations. This has led to a fragmented understanding of faith and community.
‘The church of me’
An overemphasis on personal interpretation of Scripture and individual experience over communal traditions risks the further fragmentation of the Church. Christian spirituality can begin to lack a solid foundation. When this happens, personal beliefs take precedence over the shared doctrines and practices that have historically united Christians.
The Church, with all of its diversity, still requires unity. We are, after all, the one Body of Christ. In Ephesians 4:1-6 Paul tells us there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all.
The constant division within the Church ultimately leads to “the church of me.” Left unchecked, this will completely fracture the Body of Christ. As this happens, we risk losing the richness that comes from engaging with the broader Christian tradition.
In John 17:21, Jesus prayed that we would be one, as the Father is in Him and He is in the Father. As one Church, we should always display the love and unity of our Triune God.
How to change the trend
So, what can you and I do to change this trend? To begin with, we must be a living witness to our true Christian faith and the joy that comes from being a active member of the Body of Christ. Our lives should embody the Gospel message. We need to work hard at making all people feel welcomed and valued. We need to be more ecumenical. We need to bring an end to bickering and division within the Church and between our various denominations. We need to start inviting our friends and family members to Mass.
In the end, the Church, as the Body of Christ, thrives when its members actively participate in its life and mission. Ultimately, this leads to a deeper connection with God and one another. If you and I do our part, we will begin to see a shift from the trend of believing without belonging to a new trend with a vibrant Church made up of believing and belonging Christians.
There is much work to do. Let’s get busy today!
Brian Pusateri, founder of 4th Day Letters and Broken Door Ministries, is a Catholic author and speaker. This was previously published at brokendoorministries.com