Research and Trends

Southern Baptists Lost More Than 1,200 Congregations in 2022

The primary reason congregations are no longer considered active Southern Baptist congregations is that they cease to exist.

Evangelicals in the Public Arena

While it is true that evangelicals tend to be much more conservative than the overall U.S. population, both liberals and moderates exist within the American evangelical community.

Time for a Change

Lifeway Research surveyed 1,001 adults who left churches. All of those interviewed had eventually made their way to a new church, so this snapshot does not include those who are gone for good.

Research: U.S. Church Attendees Plan to Return Post-Pandemic

When COVID-19 is no longer an active threat to people’s health, 91% plan to attend in-person worship services at least as often as they did before the coronavirus pandemic. That includes almost a quarter (23%) who plan to attend more than they did previously.

Majority of Churchgoers Proud of Church’s Pandemic Response

Almost 9 in 10 Protestant churchgoers (86%) say they are proud of how their church has responded during the coronavirus pandemic, with 58% strongly agreeing.

ECFA Releases Research on Financial Outlook for Churches and Nonprofits

“Remarkable Resiliency” is based on 1,292 survey responses.

10 Characteristics of Churches That Attract Young Adults

For churches that want to retain teenagers into adulthood, these traits matter.

Study: Pastors Hesitant to Preach on Race

Close to 1 in 6 pastors (16%) admit they have not addressed racial reconciliation from the pulpit in the past two years.

Study: Half of U.S. Protestant Pastors Hear Conspiracy Theories in Their Own Churches

49% of U.S. Protestant pastors say they frequently hear members of their congregation repeating conspiracy theories they have heard about why something is happening in our country.

Avoiding Pastoral Red Zones

Pastor care must be a pandemic priority

Are Church Leaders Losing Gen Z?

Faith leaders can still become the trusted mentors that young people desperately need right now.