Why Won't My Members Come to Bible Class? A Study of the Possible Factors Leading to Low Adult Bible Class Attendance Among WELS Congregations

Abstract

What is it that makes a Bible class desirable? This is a question that has been asked many times by many WELS pastors. What makes this question so popular? It is the numbers; they don’t lie. WELS congregations, historically, have not had much success in getting their members to attend an adult Bible class. So, what’s the solution? This is, perhaps, not the first question that needs to be addressed. Maybe the question to start with should be, “What are the barriers and obstacles that turn people away from Bible class?” One reason why many congregations have low Bible class attendance is obviously sin. And to go along with sin are some other possible reasons like teaching methodology, relationships, and promotion. This paper will start by laying out the importance of adult Bible study. Afterwards, it will walk through some of the significant numbers found in the survey conducted for this thesis and the 2017 WELS Statistical Report that highlight the low attendance. And then, finally, it will spend time explaining each of these possible factors which contribute to low adult Bible class attendance within the WELS.