H alf of the America people do not participate actively in church activities. While marginal members show many similarities with mental affiliates, affiliates tend to be younger, more mobile, single or divorced, more liberal in social and religious attitudes. Mental affiliates have lower levels of childhood religious socialization and are more critical of the church. A recent study, suggests that marginal members and mental affiliates may represent a wide range of people and behaviors. Clearly, not all marginal members and mental affiliates are alike.
Mental affiliates fit several profiles.
Mey seek fulfillment in alternative religious experiences. They hold to such idealism that no particular church can measure up to their expectations. Effective ministry to marginal members and mental affiliates faces several challenges. The attitude is extended with a feeling of annoyance at latecomers, persons who fall to respond to announcements of church events, and people who miss ad hoc meetings. On the other hand, marginal members and mental affiliates may consider all the institutional busy work as unnecessary and the actions of the churched folk as pharisaical.