Empowering the common Christian to do the uncommon works of God.

Bar Church is for those who don’t feel at home in a traditional church - those who have been hurt, overlooked, or disillusioned by it. We offer a fresh perspective on faith, love, and community in a welcoming, nonjudgmental space. Our mission is to create a place where people can explore faith at their own pace, find healing, and experience the grace of God in real and tangible ways.

We are a church for the disillusioned and the disconnected (commonly called the DeChurched), as well as for those who are seeking. Our goal is to break down the walls of tradition and create a community where people can rediscover a genuine faith that transforms lives and builds authentic relationships. We believe that you will discover renewed hope, restored trust, and a sense of belonging within our faith community.

What we are called to do is very simple and found throughout Scripture…..

We PRAY - We TEACH - We BAPTIZE - We MULTIPLY

This should be foundational for all those who believe in Jesus.

When Suncrest Christian Church surveyed thousands of NW Indiana residents about why they don’t regularly attend church, the top response was that they had been hurt by the church.

CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO READ THE SUNCREST CHRISTIAN CHURCH ARTICLE

Who are the DeChurched:

The term "dechurched" refers to individuals who previously attended church regularly but have since stopped. Estimates of the percentage of dechurched people in America vary depending on how the term is defined, but several studies provide insight into this trend.

1. Pew Research (2021): According to Pew, around 29% of U.S. adults identify as religiously unaffiliated, which includes those who may have been previously affiliated with a church. While not all unaffiliated individuals are dechurched, this figure includes people who have left religious institutions altogether.

2. Barna Group (2023): Barna’s research shows that 38% of Americans can be categorized as "dechurched." This includes those who once regularly attended a church but no longer do. They’ve either become religiously unaffiliated or continue to identify as Christians but no longer participate in organized worship.

3. General Social Survey (2020): This survey indicates that approximately 23% of Americans describe themselves as "nones," but a significant portion of them were previously affiliated with a church or religious institution.

Roughly between 20-38% of Americans could be considered dechurched, depending on how strictly the term is applied.

Why Bar Church:

Estimates suggest that between 40% and 70% of Americans are considered unchurched or dechurched, depending on how regularly they engage with religious services.

Understanding the distinction between the unchurched and the dechurched is important, as their paths and reasons for disconnection from church life differ significantly. Both groups make up a large portion of the population, highlighting broader trends in religious participation and the evolving landscape of faith in America.

These statistics, along with my own experience of almost stepping away from the church, have inspired the launch of this ministry—one that reaches those who don’t feel at home in a traditional church. This vision is driven by a deep understanding of the need to meet people where they are and a firm belief that by creating a welcoming space, everyone can find a sense of community.

The ministry of Bar Church has been developed around several key aspects:

  1. Authenticity: Being true to yourself, expressing genuine thoughts, emotions, and beliefs without pretense. This means not conforming to external pressures or societal expectations that conflict with the Truth.

  2. Honesty: Consistently seeking and expressing Truth in interactions with others. This involves transparency, sincerity, and integrity in your actions and words.

  3. Self-awareness: Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and desires. Self-awareness allows you to make decisions that are in harmony with your true self and avoid self-deception.

  4. Personal Growth: Embracing continuous learning and self-improvement based on truthful self-assessment and feedback. This includes acknowledging your mistakes, learning from them, and striving to improve.

  5. Healthy Relationships: Building and maintaining relationships based on mutual respect, trust, and honesty. Being in these types of relationships involves open communication and genuine connections.

  6. Resilience: The ability to face and overcome challenges by staying true to your values and beliefs, requires courage to confront difficulties and remain steadfast in your principles even in the face of adversity.