church attendance
Study: More congregations are reopening but attendance remains flat
By Yonat Shimron — March 22, 2022
(RNS) — Only 27% of respondents in a Pew study said they attended services in person this month. Back in September, when the coronavirus was still surging, 26% said they attended in-person religious services.
Is a Great Resignation brewing for pastors?
By Scott Thumma — March 18, 2022
(RNS) — If there is a mass exodus, it's likely not the pandemic alone that burned clergy out.
Across US, houses of worship struggle to rebuild attendance
By David Crary — December 20, 2021
(AP) — When Westminster United Methodist Church in Houston resumed in-person services late last year, after a seven-month halt due to COVID-19, there were Sundays when only three worshippers showed up.
‘Sinning in the Rain’: New study finds crimes go up when it rains on Sundays
By Bob Smietana — December 2, 2021
(RNS) — A new study shows rain can interrupt church-going and may lead to more of certain kinds of crime.
How religious is your average 22-year-old? A new golden age of survey data opens a door
By Ryan Burge — November 5, 2021
(RNS) — A decade ago, we couldn’t answer many questions on American faith habits with accuracy.
Millions skipped church during pandemic. Will they return?
By David Sharp — June 30, 2021
WALDOBORO, Maine (AP) — As the pandemic recedes in the United States and in-person services resume, worries of a deepening slide in attendance are universal.
African Americans attend church, Bible study more than others, but Black ‘nones’ increasing
By Adelle M. Banks — April 16, 2021
(RNS) — Gen Zers are both the most likely to call themselves 'religious but not spiritual' and the least likely to say they are 'spiritual but not religious.'
Behind Gallup’s portrait of church decline
By Wesley Granberg-Michaelson — March 31, 2021
(RNS) — America’s religious life will be shaped not by secularization alone.
Poll: 4 in 10 US Christians plan to attend in-person Easter services
By Yonat Shimron — March 22, 2021
(RNS) — Americans are growing more confident they can attend in-person religious services, but many still want restrictions such as social distancing and masking.
Survey: Churchgoers say they plan to return to in-person services
By Yonat Shimron — March 10, 2021
(RNS) — Many churches are already meeting in person, but attendance has typically been smaller to accommodate for social distancing. That will likely change, a Lifeway Research poll suggests.
Think US evangelicals are dying out? Well, define evangelicalism …
By Ryan Burge — January 26, 2021
(RNS) — The term “evangelical” may be in disfavor, there's no sign that people are less willing to take on the label.
What Americans believe about violence against the government
By Ryan Burge — January 14, 2021
(RNS) — The relationship between partisanship and support for violence against government is clear. Church attendance does not appear to fuel the fire — nor tamp it down.
The age of nones may favor churches that welcome doubters
By Ryan Burge — January 14, 2020
(RNS) — Can people who are plagued with doubt feel welcomed by a church that is filled with those who are certain about what they believe?
Survey: Black millennials skip church as early adults more than whites
By Adelle M. Banks — March 18, 2019
(RNS) — But equal percentages of black and white young adults say they currently attend a congregation regularly, a LifeWay Research analysis shows.
Why fewer Americans are attending religious services
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 1, 2018
(RNS) — Fewer adults are attending religious services in the United States, but that’s not necessarily because they don’t believe.
