Church Membership: Do We still Need It?
by Ashley Graham-Wilcox
As I prepare for tomorrow’s online workshop on Measuring Success in Ministry, I’ve been thinking about the different ways we have to measure success in our church communication work. Sometimes metrics feel too rigid — or like they don’t tell the whole story. For example, I support a small church with its livestream, and though we’ve only seen two new visitors convert from Facebook livestream to Zoom sanctuary in the past two months, the minister consistently receives weekly messages of gratitude from online attendees across platforms. Those moments of connection—though not the metric we were tasked with growing —are deeply meaningful.
This has me reflecting on membership, one of the most measurable metrics in church life. We know that membership in mainline Protestant churches has been declining for years, but maybe that’s not the whole story—or even a bad thing. The way people connect with church is evolving, and with it comes the opportunity to explore new ways of belonging that fit better in modern life.
What’s Changing?
Fewer people see value in traditional church membership today, especially as younger generations increasingly identify as “spiritual but not religious” or seek community in other ways. While this can feel like a loss, or hard to communicate/translate to a vestry, it also opens the door to rethink how we engage with people, both inside and outside of our churches.
Traditional congregations are exploring creative ways to foster participation that go beyond formal membership. These efforts emphasize connection, service, and flexibility, recognizing that people want meaningful engagement without rigid commitments.
Fresh Approaches Inside Traditional Churches
Here are a few ways mainline churches are reimagining engagement:
Membership Renewal Models: Some congregations are treating membership as an annual covenant, inviting people to reflect each year on their commitment and relationship with the church. This is intended to make the membership experience less transactional, and more fluid and responsive to individual spiritual journeys.
Participation-Focused Involvement: Many churches now emphasize volunteer opportunities, small groups, and seasonal programs as primary ways to engage — some may even be secular. This gives people the freedom to connect without needing to join formally.
Hybrid and Digital Engagement: Churches are incorporating online worship and discussion groups, making engagement more accessible. This model meets people where they are, creating multiple ways to participate even when in-person attendance isn’t possible. How do you measure those engagements and account for their value and impact?
Service-Based Community Engagement: Partnerships with community organizations allow people to engage in meaningful ways through shared service projects, welcoming participation from anyone in the community—whether they are members or not.
Imagining What’s Next
What if the question wasn’t, “How do we grow membership?” but instead, “How do we cultivate belonging?” What if success was measured by connection and impact rather than attendance numbers? Could participation in seasonal events, volunteer teams, or online spaces be the future of church engagement? What else could be included in those measures and reports? How can ministry truly be measured?
There’s no single right way forward, but the future holds exciting potential. Churches that embrace flexibility and authenticity are finding new ways to thrive. In reimagining what it means to belong, we might discover deeper joy, stronger connections, and more meaningful community along the way. What possibilities inspire you?
