By Marissa Postell Sullivan BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — For most pastors, the start of a new calendar year also indicates the start of a new fiscal year for their churches. But there is much more variety among pastors when it comes to who is involved in making the budget for the fiscal year. According to a study from Lifeway Research, 74% of Protestant pastors say their church’s … [Read more...]
U.S. Christians support solution to conflict that benefits Israel and Palestinians
By Aaron Earls BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Most American Christians have been following the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Ultimately, they say they want negotiations, Hamas to be subdued, and a result that benefits both Israel and Palestinians. Almost 9 in 10 self-identified Christians in the U.S. have kept up with the current war between Hamas and Israel, according to … [Read more...]
Pastors planning several Christmas events churchgoers say they enjoy
By Marissa Postell Sullivan BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Churches are offering Christmas events and activities beyond weekly worship services this Christmas season, which will make many churchgoers happy. On average, pastors are planning four events or activities to help their churches celebrate Christmas this year, according to a Lifeway Research study. A Christmas Eve service … [Read more...]
New normal settles for churches post-pandemic
By Aaron Earls BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — For two years now, almost every church in America has been holding in-person worship services, but not every pre-pandemic worshiper has returned. The final Lifeway Research tracking data for U.S. Protestant churches’ COVID-19 recovery finds 100% (rounded to the nearest whole number) met in person in August 2023, capping off a rebound … [Read more...]
Church switchers identify factors behind their decision, expect a lot from new congregation
By Marissa Postell Sullivan BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Most adult churchgoers in the United States don’t frequently switch churches. But if they make a congregational change, it’s likely they made a residential change first. And those who switch have high expectations for their new congregation. Data from a Lifeway Research study of American Protestant adults who attend … [Read more...]