Census Shifts That Help Our Missiology

by The Resurgence on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 3:00am

There’s no doubt about it—America is changing. According to AdAge, household relationships are growing more complex, minority groups have become the majority, and the population is shifting.

Many of our churches are designed to reach the people of America in the 50’s, and many contemporary churches are designed with the 80’s or 90’s in mind. We should always be reforming the way we contextualize the gospel while contending for thetruths of the gospel.

Current Statistics

U.S. households are growing ever more complex and varied.

The iconic American family—a married couple with children—will account for a mere 22% of households.

Minorities are the new majority.

In 2010, Hispanics will be both the nation's fastest-growing and largest minority (50 million people). 80% of people age 65+ will be white non-Hispanics, but just 54% of children under age 18 will be white non-Hispanics. In the nation's 10 largest cities, demographics expert Peter Francese says, "No racial or ethnic category describes a majority of the population."

The nation is moving.

85% of the nation's population growth occurred in the South and West. A total of about 3 million people have moved out of the Northeast, and another 2 million have left the Midwest.