SCADs may be an unfamiliar term. That is because I believe I coined it myself, although I am sure there is an obscure definition for it somewhere. For our purposes, it stands for: Seasonal Church Attendance Disorder. Even though you have never heard the term, I would wager that you know precisely what it means.

The Problem:

According to recent Barna research, the percentage of “practicing Christians” has dwindled by 50% since 2000. Barna defines “practicing Christians” as:

“Those who identify as Christian, agree strongly that faith is very important in their lives and have attended church within the past month.”

In 20 years, half of these “practicing Christians” have vanished. Why? According to Barna, part of the explanation for this decline is something that many would deem to be moderately harmless:

“Where did these practicing Christians go? The data indicate that their shift was evenly split. Half of them fell away from consistent faith engagement, essentially becoming non-practicing Christians, while the other half moved into the non-Christian segment.”

From January of 2000 to March 4, 2020, 25% of “practicing Christians” are no longer such because they “fell away from consistent faith engagement.” In other words, they ceased attending church.

The other 25% turned to non-Christian systems (other religions, atheism). I believe that these two avenues are connected, not isolated. Regardless, when church attendance is optional or secondary regarding other activities in life, we reach the diagnosis of SCADs: Seasonal Church Attendance Disorder.

Before 2000, regular church attendance was typically assumed. The majority of politicians on both sides ran campaigns based on Christian values. Church was where people were on Sunday mornings, particularly in the South. As this social expectation began to diminish, so did the follow-through of actually attending.

By the time we reach 2020, we can notice a trend of a rapidly increasing population of practicing Christians who seem to have reduced the value of faithful church attendance. Other things have taken pre-eminence, whether it be sports, leisure, or profession. If you frequently fall into this category, then you may be diagnosed with SCADs.

The Danger of SCADs:

SCADs primarily threatens the church and its members in three ways.

1. The myth of self-sufficiency.

As seen in the Barna study, half of those who fall away from the faith do so because they disconnect from the church. This should come as no surprise considering that man’s heart is dishonest and inclined to lean on its own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). The author of Hebrews, fully aware of this natural disposition, writes:

“23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:23-25).

2. The myth of a merely individual impact.

SCADs trains our children to view church as opportunity-based. In other words, they grow up in a practicing Christian home that relegates the collective worship of God to that of a lower priority than other opportunities. Our children learn to keep the Sabbath holy by observing how we observe the Sabbath. Remembering the Sabbath Day is more extensive than an individual concern.

12 “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God” (Deut. 5:12-14).

3. The myth of being dependent on God.

Worshipping God in the community of the saints is a critical ingredient of spiritual health. SCADs significantly impairs spiritual health by building a wall between daily living and dependence on God. If you only attend church for special services or when your family is coping with a tragedy, you may be subconsciously utilizing church and God as situational necessities. Thus, you may only attend church when it’s convenient or when you need God to help you through life’s storms. Either way, be wary of believing in the myth of being dependent on God in your daily walk while neglecting worship with the body of Christ.

Tips for Treating SCADs:

1. Make church a priority.

It will not always be easy. I am very aware of the pandemic and for some, that it makes this more difficult or even impossible. Parents must consider the safety of their families. However, this Barna data was collected BEFORE the pandemic. If it was a significant problem before, do you think the past two years of habits will bolster attendance or add to the declining trend?

2. Find a church to visit while on the road.

Whether it is a sports tournament or vacation, “google” a good church and visit. I remember attending random churches on family vacations while growing up. Some were great, and some were not. However, it impressed in me the importance of corporate worship.

3. If physical church attendance isn’t possible, make virtual church attendance a family event.

Turn off phones, put away breakfast, change out of PJ’s, and sit as a family through the whole service. Set this time apart from other screen-centered activities.

Conclusion:

Cyprian, who died in 258 AD, wrote, “No one can have God for his Father, who does not have the Church for his mother.” I look forward to seeing you at church on Sunday!