Aaron Earls Stories

Faith

Pastors are preaching longer, with churchgoer support, according to Lifeway Research

More pastors are preaching longer sermons, and most churchgoers are OK with it. In fact, a small but growing number would prefer even more each week. A Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors and churchgoers finds little disagreement between the pulpit and the pews over sermon length, even as pastors stretch out their weekly messages.
National

Southern Baptist pastor pay stagnant since 2024

Senior pastors at Southern Baptist churches have had to make do with less pay and even less purchasing power recently.
Faith

Churchgoers increasingly reject some biblical truths

Churchgoers remain confident in their ability to understand and explain the Bible, but a growing number believe the truths of the Scripture have lost relevance.
Faith

Pastors report growing attendance, but fewer unchurched newcomers, according to Lifeway Research

Slightly more than half of U.S. Protestant pastors (54%) report the average worship service attendance at their church has increased by at least 4% since 2023, according to a Lifeway Research study sponsored by the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center.
National

Blackwell commits to ‘come alongside’ church leaders as Lifeway’s new president

Surrounded by friends and family, Ryan Blackwell was installed as the 11th president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources on Monday evening, Aug. 24. The installation service, held during the organization’s biannual Board of Trustees meeting, brought together Southern Baptist leaders and Blackwell’s ministry mentors to encourage and challenge the new Lifeway leader.
Faith

Six steps can help eliminate confusion for the unchurched in your worship services

People often have assumptions about what we believe in the church, but those outside our congregations often have no way to know the truth because they can’t understand us.
National

Adults Account for Most Baptisms in SBC Congregations

As baptisms in Southern Baptist congregations increase, a growing percentage of those entering the baptismal pools are adults.
Faith

Gen Z churchgoers attend more but often lag in application, according to Lifeway Research’s State of Discipleship

The faith of Generation Z frequently draws them to church on Sunday but often fails to shape their lives during the week.
Faith

Half of U.S. churches to honor America’s 250th anniversary

As Americans celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, half of pastors say their churches will join in the festivities.
Faith

Southern Baptists see attendance and baptism gains amid membership declines

Southern Baptist churches saw sustained growth in attendance and baptisms, but the two-decade membership decline continued in 2025.
Faith

Lifeway Research finds growing number of churchgoers face doubts

When facing difficult circumstances, most churchgoers still trust in God’s love and provision. Some, however, begin to question God’s character and involvement in their lives, and their number has grown in recent years.
Faith

Lifeway Research finds churchgoers aim to serve in and out of church

Most churchgoers say they’re looking for ways to serve God as well as the people in their churches and communities, but many still struggle to make that a reality.

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