April 30, 2025

The Nones Are Rising No More: 5 Things Church Leaders Need to Know

27 minutes

From 2008 to 2014, the Nones (those who have no religious affiliation) were the fastest-growing demographic segment in the nation. They are no longer growing. In fact, they are declining slightly. Here are five major implications for churches.

The extraordinary fast growth of the Nones (from 2008 to 2014, the Nones portion of the population went from 21% to 34%) caught church leaders off guard.

But there has been no discernible change in the number of Nones in the past five years. They were between 35% and 36%.

But six months ago, the number dropped to 34%.

This issue is not a COVID issue. The trend began in 2019.

More than ever, churches need a prayerful evangelism strategy.

Source: Ryan Burge, “Religion in 2024: The Plateau Is Real.” Graphs about Religion. Burge uses the data from The Cooperative Election Study, 2008 to 2024.

Resources:

Chaney & Associates

The Church Advisory Podcast

Upward Sports

“Religion in 2024: The Plateau Is Real” by Ryan Burge

The Hope Initiative

Invite Your One

Good News Neighbors Toolkit

Church Answers Membership

FREE Research Report: New Surprising Insights

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Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, partnering with local churches to use sports as a powerful outreach tool to engage the community.

To remind our listeners, Upward offers a variety of league options, including basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, baseball, running for adults, and now, pickleball.

Partnering with Upward Sports helps your church reach the community, attract young families, and share the Gospel in a meaningful way.

Is your church striving to be known as a welcoming space where families come together? Sports can naturally become your invitation. Upward Sports understands this and is ready to help you cultivate that atmosphere.

Exciting news from Upward Sports! Pickleball is now available as an Upward sport starting April 1st! Perfect for middle and high schoolers, pickleball is easy to learn, quick to set up, and one of the best ways to keep kids engaged. Whether you’re looking to start a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to help you build a strategy that fits your church. Ready to get started? Schedule a call today and launch a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community!

At Upward, they will customize your sports outreach strategy to fit your church’s budget, and community needs because we know one size doesn’t fit all.

Already have a thriving outreach ministry? Add sports to further fuel your outreach and connect with even more families.

Are you looking to engage new families, bless your community, or mobilize your congregation to serve? Whether you have a gym, field space, or access to a facility, Upward Sports can help. We’re here to support your church in creating a first-class, organized, and intentional outreach ministry that tells families, “You are welcome here!”

Whether you’re expanding an existing sports ministry or starting from scratch, explore Upward Sports. With a trusted history of partnering with over 5,000 churches nationwide, Upward stands ready to support you.

Schedule your call today at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

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