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.

Survey Details the Relationship Between Mental Health and Faith

The actions and beliefs of evangelical Protestants do not always align. Six out of 10 (59%) evangelicals who strongly believe reading the Bible contributes to positive mental health still do not read it daily, while 26% do not read it even monthly.

Survey: The American Church Post-COVID-19

The biggest statistical change noted between 2020 and 2023 among U.S. adults overall was a staggering 20-percentage point decline in those who believe they have a unique, God-given calling or purpose for their life.

Research: 5 Ways Hispanic Congregations Are Leading the Way in Outreach

The majority of Hispanic congregations are actively engaged in their community for the purpose of sharing the gospel. This includes serving the practical needs of people, conducting special events to meet people and proclaim the gospel, and church members personally sharing the gospel in conversations.

Which Younger Generation Is More Likely to Walk Into Your Church?

While almost a third of this younger generation does not claim a particular religion (the “nones”), they attend religious services at a slightly higher rate than their Millennial and Gen X parents.

New Report: Hybrid Church Is Here to Stay

As the church navigates a post-pandemic world and ongoing economic pressures, budget constraints remain the biggest challenge to prioritizing new technology purchases, with the majority of churches (58%) allocating 10 percent or less of their annual budget to technology spend. Other top barriers include staffing, implementation, ease of use, and support.

Research Reveals Importance of Small Groups, Evangelism, Assimilation for Church Growth

On average, Protestant churches say 44% of their current weekend worship attendees are involved in a small group, Sunday School or similar group, indicating a decline in average small group attendance since 2010 (49%).

Fewer Churches Face Limited Cash Reserves

Slightly more churches today have reserves ranging from 16 to 51 weeks. In 2016, 27% said that was the case. Today, 32% have that amount on hand. The percentage of pastors today who say their congregation has more than a year’s worth is similar to 2016 (23% in 2016 vs. 24% now).

Biblical Worldview Among U.S. Adults Has Declined by 33% Since Start of Pandemic

The number of adults who don’t fall wholly into the biblical worldview category, but still lean that direction, possessing “a substantial number of beliefs and behaviors consistent with biblical principles,” has fallen dramatically, as well.