Study Shows Widespread Confusion Regarding Official Membership in Churches

A new study by Grey Matter Research shows widespread confusion and ignorance regarding official membership in churches and appears to demonstrate that many people believe just showing up is necessary for church membership, WORLD Magazine reports. The study asked more than 440 respondents whether their place of worship offered "any kind of official membership in the organization, or not." Among all churchgoers, 48 percent said such official membership was offered, 33 percent said it was not, and 19 percent were not sure. Among people who said official membership was available to them, 78 percent claimed to be members, while 21 percent said they attended but had never become members, and 1 percent said they were unsure of their own status.