South Dakota churches suffering decline in affiliation and attendance
Connecting with children and young adults is seen as an important way to grow church membership in the future. Here, Methodist Pastor Zach Kingery teaches scripture to children at the United Methodist Church of Wessington Springs during a “Young Disciples Moment” in 2022. Photo: Courtesy Laura Kieser, UMC
Anyone who attends church in South Dakota is probably already aware of a troubling trend afflicting religious organizations and churches across the state and nation: the slow but steady decline in church membership and attendance.
It may be fewer cars in the parking lot, fewer people in the pews or fewer volunteers at charitable outings. It might be a pastor or priest who serves more than one congr…
