BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) — Southern Baptist churches saw sustained growth in attendance and baptisms, but the two-decade membership decline continued in 2025. Total Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) membership fell by more than 3% from 2024 to 2025, dipping to 12,331,954, according to the Annual Church Profile (ACP) compiled by Lifeway Research in cooperation with Baptist state conventions. While fewer members belong to Southern Baptist congregations, more people are … [Read more...]
Lifeway Research finds growing number of churchgoers face doubts
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Resources) — 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. Lifeway Research’s State of Discipleship revealed exercising faith as one of eight signposts that measure characteristics evident in believers who are progressing in their spiritual maturity. The average churchgoers scores 71.6 out … [Read more...]
Lifeway Research finds churchgoers aim to serve in and out of church
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) — 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. Serving God and others is one of eight key signposts measuring distinct characteristics for believers progressing in their spiritual maturity, according to the Lifeway Research State of Discipleship study. The average U.S. Protestant churchgoer scores 73.1 out of 100 in serving God and … [Read more...]
Most churchgoers regularly confess sin, according to Lifeway Research
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Religion) — Most churchgoers try to avoid sin before it happens and seek to confess it afterward. For many, confession is a regular part of their faith. The joint action of obeying God and denying self is one of eight signposts that seek to measure characteristics evident in believers progressing in spiritual maturity in Lifeway Research’s State of Discipleship study. On a scale of 0 to 100, the average U.S. Protestant churchgoer scores 75.1 on this signpost, … [Read more...]
Lifeway Research finds fewer than 1 in 3 churchgoers read the Bible daily
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) — Most churchgoers place a high value on the Bible, but only about a third commit to reading it every day. The Lifeway Research State of Discipleship study found Bible engagement to be one among eight signposts measuring distinct characteristics for believers progressing in their spiritual maturity. On a scale of 0 to 100, the average churchgoer scores 69.8 on Bible engagement, placing it fifth among the signposts. Among U.S. Protestant churchgoers, … [Read more...]
Lifeway Research finds church closures eclipse openings
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...]
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