By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tenn.—For some Americans, dropping a check into the offering plate at church is a bit like having a Discover Card. Both offer a cash-back bonus. About a third of Protestant churchgoers say their congregation teaches that God will bless them if they donate money. Two-thirds say God wants them to prosper. One in 4 say they have to do … [Read more...]
Two-thirds of churchgoers have invited someone to church
By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tenn.—America’s Protestants like to invite their friends to church. At least once in a while. Nearly two-thirds of Protestant churchgoers say they’ve invited at least one person to visit their church in the past six months, according to a new report from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. “It’s a fairly easy thing for churchgoers to do,” … [Read more...]
Churchgoers stick around for theology, not music or preachers
By Bob Smietana Most churchgoers will put up with a change in music style or a different preacher. But don’t mess with a church’s beliefs or there may be an exodus, according to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. The study of Protestant churchgoers found most are committed to staying at their church over the long haul. But more than half say they would … [Read more...]
Even if they don’t go to church, Americans still love VBS
By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Back in the 1890s, a pair of Sunday school teachers—D.T. Miles of Hopedale, Illinois, and Virginia Hawes of New York City—both had the same idea. School kids were off for the summer. Why not invite them to church to study the Bible? And maybe sing a few songs and have some fun along the way? The idea was a hit. Today, Vacation … [Read more...]
Churchgoers Say They Tithe, But Not Always to the Church
By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Most churchgoers say the Bible commands them to give. But their tithes don’t always go in the offering plate. Half of Protestant churchgoers say their tithes can go to a Christian ministry rather than a church. A third say tithes can go to help an individual in need. And more than a few (18 percent) say tithes can even go a secular … [Read more...]
