J.P. De Gance, founder and president of Communio, has launched a nationwide "Family and Civilization" campaign urging U.S. churches to take a more active role in strengthening marriages and families. De Gance argues that religious institutions, rather than government, are historically equipped to rebuild family life during periods of societal decline. The initiative aims to encourage healthy relationships before they reach crisis, positing that pastors can help reverse demographic trends through direct community engagement.
The campaign emerges against a backdrop of significant demographic shifts in the United States. De Gance cited a national birthrate of 1.57 births per woman, a figure he described as a "major civilizational bottleneck." He explained that at this rate, every 200 people in the population will be replaced by only 157. De Gance stated that this trend could reshape the nation's future if it continues, emphasizing the urgency of intervention in personal and civic life.
Central to De Gance's argument is the prevalence of loneliness among young adults. He claimed that unmarried people in their 30s are disproportionately likely to report feeling lonely, surpassing the elderly and widowed populations in this metric. De Gance linked this isolation to public health data suggesting that such individuals may face a shortened lifespan by 15 years. He urged parents to shift their messaging to children, moving away from exclusive focus on college and career success toward intentional relationship building during youth and early adulthood.
Data cited by De Gance highlights a gap in parental priorities regarding family formation. He noted that nine out of ten parents consider a fulfilling career important for their children, while only two in ten believe marriage is important. Similarly, only one in five parents said it is important for their children to have kids. A 2023 study from Pew Research supported this trend, finding that nearly half of surveyed parents stated that marriage or having children was not very important or not important at all. De Gance argued that young people are simply following these taught values, prioritizing material well-being over enduring connections through marriage and family.
The campaign specifically targets a perceived gap in church programming. De Gance stated that 85% of all churches spend nothing on marriage and relationship ministry, and 91% have no specific resources for singles. He called on pastors to preach aspirationally about the beauty of Christian marriage, referencing Ephesians 5 to frame human marriage as a symbol of Christ's love for the church. The goal is to make marriage a visible and aspirational goal for young congregants rather than an afterthought.
Beyond preaching, De Gance proposed that churches act as venues for social connection. He argued that local churches should serve as hubs for civic life where young people can meet in real life, form community, and engage in activities outside of formal spiritual formation. He cautioned against abdication of responsibility to technology and dating apps, suggesting that face-to-face interaction is essential for fostering the relationships that lead to marriage. De Gance expressed optimism that witnessing the beauty of married life would inspire a societal rebound, asserting that those who seek the happiness found in marriage are most likely to marry and have children.