National Congregations Study
Why the minichurch is the latest trend in American religion
By Bob Smietana — November 16, 2021
(RNS) — While megachurches often make headlines, most of the congregations in the United States are relatively small.
Study: Attendance hemorrhaging at small and midsize US congregations
By Yonat Shimron — October 14, 2021
(RNS) — The Faith Communities Today survey finds that half of the country’s congregations had 65 or fewer people in attendance on any given weekend, a drop from a median attendance level of 137 people in 2000.
Barring women as leaders in church may be bad for their health, new study finds
By Bob Smietana — April 19, 2021
(RNS) — Past studies have shown participating in religious services and in the life of a religious community can be good for your health.
A divine ‘dance’: Clergy couples on ministry, marriage and their Valentine’s Day plans
By Adelle M. Banks — February 11, 2021
(RNS) — Clergy couples — spiritual leaders who are married to each other and sometimes work together too — face a unique balancing act between marriage and work.
Study: Multiracial churches growing, but racial unity may be elusive
By Yonat Shimron — November 12, 2020
(RNS) — Diversity is a one-way street, the new study found. In nearly all cases, Blacks are joining mostly white congregations. Few whites join predominantly Black churches.
Study: Liberal congregations more politically active than conservative ones
By Yonat Shimron — September 18, 2020
(RNS) — The willingness of left-leaning religious congregations to engage in political activity has spiked in the Trump era, new research shows.
Center for Congregational Song launches as antidote to ‘worship wars’
By Adelle M. Banks — October 12, 2017
(RNS) — 'This idea that we need to be at war with each other over worship styles, I find ridiculous,' said center director Brian Hehn.
Fewer churches are involved in politics, and that’s not good
By guest — May 25, 2016
(RNS) Among most types of churches, participation in service-related activities is increasing while political participation is decreasing.
Many church choirs are dying. Here’s why.
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — September 17, 2014
(RNS) Praise bands aren't the only forces making church choir directors sing the blues.
US churches feel beat of change: More diversity, more drums
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — September 11, 2014
(RNS) Gay and lesbian acceptance, increasing racial diversity and growing spontaneity in worship are among the findings in the latest National Congregations Study.
Turnaround: How dying churches can find new life
By Bob Smietana — June 19, 2014
(RNS) Watching a church that you love shut down is hard. But a merger can get a church out of survival mode and focused on the future.
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