BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) – The changing religious landscape in the United States includes a decline in the total number of Protestant and Southern Baptist churches. In 2024, Lifeway Research estimates 3,800 new Protestant churches were started in the U.S., while 4,000 churches were closed. This is based on analysis of congregational information provided by 35 denominations or faith groups, representing 58% of all Protestant churches. “Some individual denominations release … [Read more...]
Christmas means extra giving for churchgoers, according to Lifeway Research
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) — For many churchgoers, Christmastime means giving time. Most say they regularly donate money and items to their churches as well as to local and national ministries and non-profits. Churchgoing adults in the U.S. are likely to make financial and item donations during the Christmas season, according to a Lifeway Research study. More than 4 in 5 U.S. Protestant churchgoers say they typically make an extra monetary donation this time of year, while 3 in … [Read more...]
Americans skeptical about paranormal phenomena
Many U.S. homes may decorate with ghosts and witches for Halloween, but most U.S. adults are doubtful they actually exist. Surveys from Gallup and Pew find broad skepticism for psychics, ghosts, astrology and witches. Gallup ghosts No paranormal phenomena were believed by a majority of Americans, according to Gallup’s study. U.S. adults were most split over the existence of some type of physical healing ability, either psychic, spiritual or the power of the human mind. Almost half … [Read more...]
Research reveals factors causing pastors to say, ‘I quit’
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) – Few pastors step away from the pulpit, but what compels those who quit? Lifeway Research found only 1.1% of all U.S. Protestant pastors leave pastoral ministry before retirement age each year. Analysis comparing Lifeway Research’s studies of current and former Protestant pastors reveals factors that predict the likelihood of leaving pastoral ministry. “Experts can theorize what keeps pastors in the pulpit, but only a comparison of pastors who … [Read more...]
Americans’ beliefs about God revert to pre-pandemic norms
Two in 3 U.S. adults say God accepts worship of all religions; many display confusion about Trinity BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) — U.S. adults don’t think God changes. Their beliefs about the divine have basically stayed the same, as well. The latest State of Theology study from Lifeway Research and Ligonier Ministries finds significant stability across a wide range of theological beliefs. Societal changes following the COVID-19 pandemic led to several theological shifts in the … [Read more...]
Slim majority of Americans backs physician-assisted suicide
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) – Half of Americans believe a terminally ill person should be able to ask a doctor for help in ending their life. Legal approval has outpaced the growth in public support. A Lifeway Research study of U.S. adults finds 51 percent think it is morally acceptable for a person facing a painful terminal disease to ask for a physician’s aid in taking his or her life. “Half of Americans seek their own comfort and their own way even in their death, but that … [Read more...]
Churches help local public schools in a variety of ways
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) — As students head back to the classroom, they’re likely to see the impact of local churches in their schools this year. According to a Lifeway Research study, 4 in 5 U.S. Protestant pastors identify at least one way their congregations have engaged with local public schools in the last year. Only 18% of churches say they weren’t involved with area schools. The average congregation connected with schools in more than two ways. “Every community has … [Read more...]
Pastors have increasingly complicated relationship with counseling, Lifeway Research study says
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Compared to a decade ago, pastors have less training in counseling but are more hesitant to refer church members to professionals. A recent Lifeway Research study examining the rate at which evangelical and Black Protestant pastors leave the ministry also asked pastors about their experience with counseling, both in their ministry preparation and practice. Sponsored by Houston’s First Baptist Church and Richard Dockins, an occupational medicine physician concerned about … [Read more...]
Churches rarely discipline members, according to Lifeway study
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) – Most pastors say their churches have policies in place to address significant misbehavior by church members, but few have actually used those policies recently. According to a Lifeway Research study of more than 1,000 U.S. Protestant pastors, only 1 in 6 say their church has formally disciplined anyone in the past year. “The infrequency of church discipline is not because church members aren’t sinning,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of … [Read more...]
Churches aim to welcome guests by different methods
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) – Every church aims to welcome guests in some way. Those efforts may just look different in different churches and may have changed over the last decade. According to a Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors, more than 99% of churches welcome visitors in at least one of 11 ways. Fewer than 1% say they don’t do any of the almost one dozen efforts. Still, several methods are more popular among certain congregations. “There is more to welcoming … [Read more...]
Half of churches experiencing post-pandemic attendance growth
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) – Half of U.S. Protestant pastors say their churches are growing but some warning signs remain about their congregational future. U.S. Protestant churches are almost evenly split between those that have grown within the past two years and those that are plateaued or declining, according to an Exponential study by Lifeway Research. Around half of the congregations (52%) increased their worship service attendance by at least 4% in the past two years. The … [Read more...]
Protestant pastors bring attention to global Christian persecution
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) – As pastors speak and pray with their congregations, they say they’re also keeping persecuted Christians around the world in mind. More than 9 in 10 U.S. Protestant pastors (93%) say their church has engaged in at least one of six ways to bring attention to Christians suffering persecution within the past year, according to a Lifeway Research study. Around 1 in 14 (7%) say they haven’t done any of those six, and less than 1% aren’t sure. “The United … [Read more...]
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