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...]
Church switchers highlight reasons for congregational change
By Aaron Earls BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — When churchgoers find a new congregation, most say their reasons for change had a little to do with both their old and new churches. Lifeway Research studied 1,001 U.S. adults who identify as Protestant or non-denominational, attend church worship services at least twice a month and have attended more than one church as an … [Read more...]
Churchgoers and leaders find value in ministry to women
By Aaron Earls and Marissa Postell Sullivan Ministry leaders and women churchgoers believe ministry to women is working in their congregations, but both feel there’s room for improvement. Lifeway Research surveyed 1,001 evangelical and Black Protestant female churchgoers in the U.S., along with 842 women’s ministry leaders for the State of Ministry to Women … [Read more...]
Pastors report the economy’s continued negative impact on churches
By Marissa Postell Sullivan BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — As churches continue to navigate economic challenges in the United States, many pastors say the economy is still harming their churches as giving fails to keep up with inflation. A Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors found 50% say the current economy is negatively impacting their churches. Meanwhile, 40% say the … [Read more...]