Research and Trends

Fastest-Growing Churches: Lessons From the Front Lines

“People see “big C” church as judgy, legalistic rules. If we can work together and show the opposite of that, I feel like that’s our role: to rewrite the narrative of church based on serving.” —Meghan Smith, Trace Church

What Message Are You Sending Visitors?

By immediately communicating, ‘You are welcome here,’ you are answering guests’ big question: Should I be here?

Ready to Talk: Are Christians Speaking Truth to Our Culture?

It is easy to say our goal is to tell others about Jesus, but we often skip the step of asking God to make this possible.

Could the Rise of the Nones Be Over?

Some research organizations have seen a leveling off of the growth in religiously unaffiliated Americans.

Train Up a Child

As limited as Christian media availability was thirty or forty years ago, nearly eight million evangelicals today were influenced to make a decision for Christ in part by Christian media.

Right on Target

Women’s ministry can be seen as a program. In some churches, it may include several programs. Until recently, little research had been done on how churches conduct women’s ministry and the impact it’s having on women.

U.S. Christians Support Solution to Conflict that Benefits Israel and Palestinians

Most American Christians (88%) say Israelis have the right to determine their own statehood and government. Around 3 in 4 (76%) say the same about the Palestinians’ governance.

Pastors Planning Several Christmas Events Churchgoers Say They Enjoy

Churchgoers say they enjoy going to an average of four church-led Christmas events from a list of potential events.

New Normal Settles for Churches Post-Pandemic

Most small churches (58%) are near or above their pre-pandemic worship service attendance levels.

Church Switchers Identify Factors Behind Their Decision

Church changes often follow a residential move. Three in 5 (60%) churchgoers who’ve switched churches say they decided to attend their current church due to a residential move.

When the Questions Won’t Stop

Jesus didn’t gloss over the messiness of faith. He stopped and pointed at the doubt about who he is, and then he offered hope.