BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) – New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro has used background checks in its ministry for more than 10 years. “It gives us peace of mind,” said Kellie Clem, financial assistant at New Vision. “Also, there are occasions where it becomes a chance to talk with volunteers about their faith walk due to results that have come back.” According to the 2023 Annual Church Profile (ACP), most Southern Baptist congregations, like New Vision, use background … [Read more...]
Easter Sunday remains a high attendance day for most churches
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (BP) — Most pastors are expecting one of their largest crowds on Easter, but those expectations have tempered some in the past decade. The three highest-attendance Sundays for pastors—Easter, Christmas and Mother’s Day—have remained the same since 2011, but each is now less likely to be among the top days, according to a Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors. “While many churches consider high attendance as something from their pre-pandemic past, seasonal … [Read more...]
Half of pastors say the economy is hurting their church
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Individuals aren’t the only ones facing consequences of inflation and other negative economic factors in the U.S., as many pastors say their churches are being harmed as well. A Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors found 52% say the current economy is having a negative impact on their churches. For 40%, the economic circumstances aren’t having any effect. Fewer than 1 in 10 pastors (7%) say the current economy is a positive factor for their churches. The … [Read more...]
Lifeway trustees hear strategy for next era of ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In the first in-person trustee meeting since February 2020, Lifeway Christian Resources President and CEO Ben Mandrell shared the three-pronged strategy for the next phase of Lifeway’s ministry. “God is calling us to embrace a new season,” Mandrell said. “I believe Lifeway has great days ahead as we push forward into the future with confidence.” Mandrell said the first two years of his presidency were about narrowing the focus of the organization. “Lifeway must draw … [Read more...]
The next generation needs Christian apologetics
EDITOR'S NOTE: To learn more about Christian apologetics, visit the website of the Missouri Baptist Apologetics Network at https://mobaptist.org/apologetics/mban/. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – When Jesse Florea glances out his office window at the patchwork display of fall colors surrounding the snow capped summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado, he’s reminded of the power of worldviews. “Someone with an atheistic worldview might look at those mountains and say, ‘Billions of years of erosion and … [Read more...]
Americans most thankful for family this Thanksgiving
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Even though the pandemic may change Thanksgiving celebrations this year, Americans still express thankfulness for their family and friends. According to a survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research, more than 4 in 5 Americans (84%) say they are thankful for their family. Sizable majorities also note being thankful for health (69%), friends (63%) and memories (63%). Around half point to personal freedom (53%) and stability (47%). More than 2 in 5 are … [Read more...]
Survey: Most evangelicals choose Trump over Biden, but clear divides exist
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LifeWay Research) – Evangelicals seem ready to cast their ballots in the 2020 election. Nine in 10 evangelicals by belief are registered to vote, and few are undecided about their presidential choice. A new survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research, conducted Sept. 9-23, finds President Donald Trump with a sizable lead over Democratic nominee Joe Biden among likely voters with evangelical beliefs. Deep divides, however, persist among evangelicals across ethnic … [Read more...]
Mandrell, LifeWay trustees celebrate ‘new day’
NASHVILLE (BP) – In his first trustee meeting as president and CEO, Ben Mandrell gave board members an optimistic vision for the future of LifeWay Christian Resources. He described the current season as "a new day" for both himself and the 128-year-old organization, during LifeWay's Aug. 26-27 trustee meeting. Mandrell announced several strategic areas on which he would focus during his first 90-days. Among his top priorities are re-energizing employees and building strong relationships … [Read more...]
Pastors ready for fallout of legalized sports gambling
NASHVILLE (BP) – Americans are expected to wager more than $8 billion on this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament. But according to a new study released March 20, don’t bet on many pastors joining in. LifeWay Research's survey – conducted Aug. 29–Sept. 11 – found most pastors believe it is morally wrong to bet on sports, while few agree it should be legalized nationwide. Though if sports gambling does become legal in their state, many pastors are already planning their response. "The … [Read more...]
Churches ramp up background checks to ensure safety
NASHVILLE (BP) – As churches become aware of potential safety issues, more are signing up for background check services through LifeWay Christian Resources' OneSource program. "The numbers have increased dramatically since we began our relationship with backgroundchecks.com," said LifeWay's Jennie Morris. "On average, we add 160 customers a month." Since January 2009, more than 16,000 customers have conducted more than 320,000 screenings with backgroundchecks.com through the LifeWay … [Read more...]
Survey: Americans want more Christ this Christmas
NASHVILLE (BP) - Most Americans want more religious meaning to the Christmas season, and for some that includes the seasonal greetings we say to each other. A new study from LifeWay Research found two-thirds of Americans (65 percent) say, "Christmas should be more about Jesus." Those looking for more Christ in Christmas in 2018, however, are significantly fewer than four years ago. A 2014 LifeWay Research study found 79 percent of Americans at that time said Christmas should be more … [Read more...]
Social media strategy & the church
NASHVILLE (BP) – By the time churches have fully embraced Facebook, many of their members and those they are trying to reach may have left it behind. Nearly three-quarters of Facebook users (74 percent) have adjusted their connection with the social media platform in some way over the past year, according to Pew Research. That reportedly includes the 54 percent who adjusted their privacy settings, 42 percent who took a break from checking it for several weeks or more, and 26 percent who … [Read more...]