Within the last several decades, religious affiliation has been declining, especially among young people. In 2019, 40% of American millennials in a Pew Research Center study identified as unaffiliated. This group includes atheists, agnostics and those who hold a belief in a higher power but do not ascribe to a particular belief system. Each individual’s upbringing, life experiences and educational background plays a part in his or her choices when it comes to faith and spirituality. Nonetheless, there are numerous benefits to being a member of a religious congregation, such as a church or ministry like The Way International, a synagogue or a mosque.
Community
Religious congregations provide a sense of community to their members. Belonging to one means that, on a daily or weekly basis, you will have the opportunity to connect with your fellow congregants and build strong relationships with them. Congregations are known for reaching out to their members to offer help in times of need, such as a death in the family or a medical crisis. In many cases, congregants going through stressful situations can expect outreach from their peers and religious leaders in the form of friendly visits, phone calls and home-delivered meals. Depending upon the size of your congregation, you may also have the opportunity to attend events beyond religious services, such as lectures by visiting speakers and musical performances.
Opportunities to Give Back
In today’s fast-paced world, it can be difficult to carve out time to volunteer in support of important causes. Many religious congregations have established community service activities in place so that all members need to do is mark the time and place on their calendars and show up. Some examples of volunteer opportunities offered by religious congregations are cooking meals for people in need, participating in food and clothing drives and mentoring children and teenagers. Depending on your skills and level of professional training, you may even be able to assist your congregation by helping with finances, marketing or human resources.
Accountability
Have you ever taken up a new hobby or pursuit, only to let it fall by the wayside when work or family obligations got in the way? A strong religious community will not let you bow out so easily. If you miss services one week or fail to attend a meeting or program that you had said you would attend, you can expect one or more of your peers to reach out. Personal determination sometimes only goes so far, but being accountable to a community will help you to stay true to your commitments and continue on your journey of spiritual and personal growth. Even if you do ultimately decide that a particular congregation is not for you, you will be better off than when you started.
Whatever your feelings about religion or spirituality may be, membership in a religious congregation can be advantageous to your growth as a human being. If you do decide to join a congregation, visit several potential options before making a commitment. The congregation that you choose should have inspiring services, dedicated clergy and – most importantly – a warm, welcoming community.