The August, 1948, Christian Herald gave the annual report of "The State of the Church," based upon the returns of a questionnaire submitted to 223 Protestant bodies and thirty non-Protestant religious organizations.
The report points out significantly that America is now enjoying the greatest period of church membership among its citizenry. According to these figures (all of which are based on Christian Herald statistics) 53 percent of the American people now belong to some religious organization. This means that for the first time in American history church membership increases have not only kept pace but slightly surpassed the birth rate of this nation. This is especially enlightening in view of the fact that in 1890 only 22 percent of the American population claimed fellowship in some religious body. Of course, this does not necessarily indicate that America is now more religious than in the days of our forbears. It does assuredly show that we are in those days when there shall be a "form of godliness, but denying the power thereof."
Although there are 77,386,188 Americans in these various religious bodies (the figure is actually larger than this because of the failure of some churches to submit any report), there are still 43 percent of our fellow citizens without any church or religious fellowship ! So, lest we grow too exultant, we cannot forget this tragic, hopeless, Christless mass of millions who are unevangelized in the midst of our borders. This is to say nothing of those within these religious bodies who are dissatisfied, longing, and searching for the greater peace that comes with full knowledge of God's truth.
And just where do Seventh-day Adventists fit into this over-all picture? The report shows that in 1946 our membership stood at 208,030 and in 1947 at 215,545, or a gain of 7,515.
The evidence of this survey reveals an interesting fact. These religious bodies were divided into four classifications: (a) those with memberships exceeding a million; (b) those with memberships above the 200,000 mark, but fewer than a million; (c) those with memberships between 50,000 and 200,000; (d) those with memberships between ro,000 and 49,000.
The report shows that although eleven denominations with over 1,000,000 adherents contain 72 percent of all Protestant strength in America, they have only had a percentage increase of 9 percent. On the other hand, the 19 churches comprising the next group (200,000 to 1,000,000, in which category the Adventist church comes) had a net gain of 9 percent. This is the largest growth of any group. This group had a gain of 9 per cent as a whole, but Adventists showed a gain of only 3.02 percent, falling considerably below the average for this group.
Herein lies our real challenge! We are listed among other religious bodies, but instead of leading the percentage, we fall far below the average. In fairness, it must be pointed out that the rigid method employed by us to keep our statistics accurate, our high standards of membership and particular doctrinal positions make it more difficult for us to reach the masses in such great numbers as other bodies whose standards do not condemn drinking' dancing, theatergoing, and Sabbathbreaking. Nevertheless, here we are at a time when we confidently expect the Lord's soon return; yet we make no particularly significant growth !
Of the other two classifications of religious bodies, the 50,000 to 200,000 group showed a gain of 7 percent; and the "small sects" group (ro,000 to 49,000) showed a gain of 1.2 percent. Thus, the largest growth is not in the vigorous "small sect" group or in the large congregations, but rather the average bodies (200,000 to 1,000,000) show the strongest growth. Amazingly enough, among the non-Protestant group the report shows 70,000 Buddhists in America.
May this valuable survey by the Christian Herald help us to see even more clearly the tremendous evangelistic challenge of this great hour. Oh, what an opportunity for the church to arise in its entirety and bring Christ to the men and women within our courts! May we become sensitive to the great need of this hour for a more aggressive evangelistic advance. In doing this we shall save "both thyself and them that hear thee."
