Regular attendance at Sunday night worship services continues to decline in the Christian Reformed Church, according to a survey reviewed Monday at the Grand Rapids-based denomination’s annual meeting. Respondents to an online survey also reported less-frequent private prayer, bible reading and spiritual devotion time than they did in a similar questionnaire six years ago.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Regular attendance at Sunday night worship services continues to decline in the Christian Reformed Church, according to a survey reviewed Monday at the Grand Rapids-based denomination’s annual meeting.

Respondents to an online survey also reported less-frequent private prayer, bible reading and spiritual devotion time than they did in a similar questionnaire six years ago.

According to responses from more than 2,600 people, 75 percent of Christian Reformed churchgoers pray at least every day, down from 80 percent in a 2007 survey and 84 percent in a 2002 survey. About 40 percent of church members read the bible and engage in family or personal devotions daily, down from about 45 percent in 2007, about 50 percent in 2002 and about 60 percent 20 years ago.

“This disturbs me,” said Rodger Rice, director emeritus of Calvin College’s Center for Social Research.

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