How frequently do we attend Church?

Last month we looked at the way church attendance has changed in recent times using estimates of attendance based on a ‘normal’ Sunday.  We noted that, as found elsewhere, there has been a decline but now we seem to be on a plateau.  It is argued that the decline in ‘normal’ Sunday attendance is, at least in part, a natural consequence of our less frequent attendance at church.  Patterns of attendance are changing.

In the Church of England we collect information about actual church attendance on four Sundays in October each year.  Well over 90% of parishes return their forms so, though we make estimates for the missing ones, the results will be quite reliable.  From year to year these show identical patterns of adult Sunday attendance.

Year week 1 week 2 week 3 week 4
2004 34,110 31,910 29,430 28,270
2005 33,390 31,870 30,200 29,100
2006 34,220 32,020 30,550 27,830

The first Sunday of the month is clearly more popular than the other weeks. In October this can be explained by the large number of parishes who choose to have Harvest Celebrations then – and if the same pattern occurs in other months by the popularity of the ‘First Sunday’ Family Service – but this doesn’t explain the monthly cycle of decline such that only the regulars appear to be left on the last Sunday.

The number of adults involved in worship activities during the week and not already counted on a Sunday is substantial but follows the same monthly cycle.

Year week 1 week 2 week 3 week 4
2004 4,330 3,260 2,810 2,170
2005 3,510 2,720 3,070 2,190
2006 3,380 3,100 2,520 2,180

This data begins to provide some answers to our original question but poses other questions too.  Clearly where a proportion of church members attend at least once a month the first Sunday appears to be the most popular.  In terms of total attendance we should not forget those who come other than on a Sunday.  Indeed, when these are added to the Sunday numbers, the total attending in the first week is one-third greater than the number attending on a ‘normal’ Sunday.  What is the explanation for an attendance pattern which tails-off through the month?  Should we be concerned about it?  Does it provide new opportunities?

Don Cardy
25th April 2008

Page last edited: 12/05/2008
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