Church Family,
Do you ever read a headline that makes you do a double take? I’ll be honest, when I first saw the headline “Empty Pews are an American Health Crisis,” I thought it was clickbait. And yet, as I dug into the article, I was absolutely shocked with its contents. Two Harvard professors – one a professor of Epidemiology in the School of Public Health and the other the associate director of research of the Human Flourishing Program – have done extensive quantitative research that shows the incredible benefit to our physical health when we regularly attend church.
The statistics are astonishing. When comparing regular attenders of religious services to non-attenders, there are:
- 33% reduced risk of death
- 84% reduced risk of suicide
- 29% reduced risk of depression
- 50% reduced risk of divorce
- 68% reduced risk of “deaths of despair” for women
- 33% reduced risk of “deaths of despair” for men
- 33% reduced risk of adolescent illegal drug use
- 12% reduced risk of adolescent depression1
There is something incredibly powerful about gathering together as a local body of believers. There is a benefit not just for your spiritual health, but your physical and mental health as well! I want to encourage you to stay engaged, or reengage, with the church in 2022. God designed us to flourish when we are in community with one another!
These researchers, Vanderweele and Case, argue that attending religious services help provide a network of social support, offer clear moral guidance, and create relationships of accountability to reinforce positive behaviors. These are all factors that help improve a person’s mental and physical well-being.
This article was a powerful reminder to me that we need to be in community with one another. Many times, people set goals for the new year about how they want to be healthier. Consider this article and share with friends and family how one legitimate way to get healthier is to go to church!
We have some great opportunities to invite people in the next few weeks. Our NOEL Christmas Performance or our Christmas Eve service are ideal opportunities. People are more likely to attend a religious service around Christmas than almost any other time. Invite someone to come with you!
I can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with you, church family! Let’s pray God moves in a big way!
In Him,
Pastor Zach
1https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/november/church-empty-pews-are-american-public-health-crisis.html