Research and Trends

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.

Preteens on Track to Abandon Biblical Christianity in Record Numbers

Children are intellectual and spiritual sponges in their preteen years. They are desperately trying to make sense of the world, their identity, their purpose and how to live a meaningful and satisfying life.

The 2024 State of Church Giving Report Now Available

Despite an overall increase in giving, the report showed that 55% of churches reported a decrease in giving due to inflation.

Study: Most Churches Have Not Returned to Pre-Pandemic Attendance Levels

One in 10 churches (9%) say their attendance in September was less than 30% of what it was in February before the pandemic spread to the U.S. Another 20% say attendance was between 30% and less than 50% of what it was.

3 Startling Stats That Reveal How Much the Church Has Changed This Year

The surprising trends that signal where the church is headed

Is Bivocational Better?

The Challenges and Benefits of Bivocational Ministry

3 Disagreement Traps to Avoid

More than a few of us fall into traps of incivility that do not represent Jesus Christ well.

Americans’ Diverse Views on Religion More Opinion Than Fact

More than half of Americans say religious beliefs are a matter of personal opinion, not objective facts. And that’s made clear by examining the...

Rules of Incivility

3 Disagreement Traps to Avoid

Church Growth in the Year of COVID

Throw out the playbook, not the mission.