Study: Family Time Trumping Church Time

Churchgoers are placing more emphasis on "family time" at the expense of involvement in church life, a recent survey found.

In a survey of 490 pastors, Leadership Journal, a magazine published by Christianity Today, found 76 percent of respondents said people are spending more discretionary time on family activities than church commitments. And most believe that a generation ago, free time was more likely spent on church life.

The survey further found that 83 percent of pastors said they are aware of situations where people choose family time over church commitments. Frequently heard reasons for missing out on church activities include kids' activities and weekend trips; such sports as fishing, football and NASCAR; extended family gatherings; and a child's illness.

Only 13 percent of pastors said those reasons are "mostly valid" while 22 percent said they are "mostly excuses." The majority (65 percent) believes they are "some of both."

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