Church Campaign Launched to Address Declining Birthrate, Promote Marriage

A new nationwide campaign is calling on churches to play a more prominent role in addressing America's declining birthrate and what organizers describe as a "family crisis." The "Family and Civilization" campaign, launched by the organization Communio, asserts that societal challenges related to family life are best addressed through faith communities rather than solely through political means.

Communio founder and president J.P. De Gance warned that the current birthrate of 1.57 births per woman indicates a potential demographic decline. "For every 200 people in a population, they'll be replaced by only 157," De Gance told Fox News Digital. "We're at the cusp of a major civilizational bottleneck."

The campaign emphasizes the historical role of churches in rebuilding family life during times of societal change. It encourages pastors and congregations to actively promote healthy relationships and marriage, arguing that these enduring values are often overshadowed by a focus on career and material success.

"Our message to churches is we should be helping," De Gance said. "Our young people know this, right? We shouldn't be talking to our kids more frequently about a great college, a great career over and above. These are good things, but they shouldn't be spoken of in exclusion to seeking and being intentional about relationships."

According to De Gance, the loneliest demographic in the United States is unmarried young adults. Public health data suggests that loneliness can significantly impact lifespan. He noted that while nine out of ten parents prioritize their children having fulfilling careers, only about one in five believe it is important for their children to marry or have children themselves. This shift in parental priorities, De Gance suggested, influences young people's life choices.

A 2023 Pew Research study indicated that nearly half of surveyed parents found it not very important or not important at all for their children to marry or have children. De Gance attributes this to a generational focus on material well-being over what he calls "enduring, lifelong goods of close connection through marriage and family."

The campaign also highlights the lack of existing resources within many churches. De Gance stated that approximately 85% of churches allocate no funds to marriage and relationship ministries, and 91% have no specific programs for single individuals. He urges churches to consistently preach about the value and beauty of Christian marriage, framing it as a symbol of Christ's sacrificial love, and to offer practical guidance to those seeking it.

Furthermore, Communio advocates for churches to create environments where young people can meet, form communities, and have fun outside of religious services. De Gance believes that churches are uniquely positioned to become hubs for social connection, combating the increasing isolation and loneliness prevalent in society, thereby potentially fostering more relationships and marriages.

"At some point, there will be a major rebound," De Gance expressed optimism. "I'm filled with hope, and I'm also an optimist that those who grasp the great good of married life and seek the happiness that's most frequently found in it. These are the folks that are most likely to marry, the most likely to have kids. It's going to bring about a significant renewal and revival in the West. We think that the church can accelerate that."