Ready for some good news? Despite predictions of the demise of American Christianity, a recent Pew study* found most Americans – 92% of adults – say they hold one or more spiritual beliefs. According to the Pew study, the share of U.S. adults who believe. . .
- People have a soul or spirit - 86%
- In God or a universal spirit - 83%
- There is something spiritual beyond the natural world - 79%
- In an afterlife - 70%
- One or more of the above - 92%*
The study does not find 92% involved in organized religion, however. Statistics DO say people sought faith during the pandemic. 40% accessed services either in person or virtually during the pandemic, a number that remains unchanged post-Covid.
Additionally, churches may have an opportunity to engage a U.S. population already interested in spirituality. The question is HOW. For musicians, it is a short step to suggest music can have an important role in linking people with their spirituality.
Neuroscience supports what those in the arts have long believed: we remember longer what we sing than words we hear or say.
Music taps our spirituality as evidenced in accompanying our most important milestones in life, such as birth, baptism, weddings, funerals, celebrations, and helps us recall them. – The World in Six Songs – Daniel J. Levitin (among others)
Neuroscience explains what the church has practiced for centuries: a conviction that music is critical to how the church functions.
How about making an investment in strong music programs for children, youth, adults, and in congregational singing? Could this be a great way to grow our churches? Works for me!
- Charlotte Kroeker
*Pew Research Project reported in the NY Times, 2/26/25, “One Nation, Under God” by Lauren Jackson. Also on 2/26/25: “Christianity’s Decline in U.S. Appears to Have Halted” by Ruth Graham.