By Aaron Earls BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Half of U.S. Protestant pastors say their churches are growing but some warning signs remain about their congregational future. U.S. Protestant churches are almost evenly split between those that have grown within the past two years and those that are plateaued or declining, according to an Exponential study by Lifeway Research. Around … [Read more...]
Complicated picture of Southern Baptist churches emerges from statistical analysis
By Aaron Earls BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — The average Southern Baptist church calls the South home, but the only region of the country where those congregations are growing is the Northeast. Churches are baptizing more people, but most churches remain small and fewer attendees are involved in small groups. Lifeway Research analysis of the 2023 Annual Church Profile (ACP) reveals … [Read more...]
Most Americans Skip Lent
By Aaron Earls BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Lent may be on the calendar, but it’s not on the radar of most Americans. A traditional 40-day window of fasting before Easter, Lent is observed by around a quarter of U.S. adults, according to a Lifeway Research study. Three in 4 Americans (74%) say they do not typically observe Lent, while 26% participate. Beginning on Ash … [Read more...]
Protestant pastors bring attention to global Christian persecution
By Aaron Earls BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — As pastors speak and pray with their congregations, they say they’re also keeping persecuted Christians around the world in mind. More than 9 in 10 U.S. Protestant pastors (93%) say their church has engaged in at least one of six ways to bring attention to Christians suffering persecution within the past year, according to a Lifeway … [Read more...]
Evangelicals want secure borders and citizenship pathway for immigrants
By Aaron Earls BRENTWOOD, Tenn. —Many U.S. evangelicals may view early immigration and refugee maneuvers by President Donald Trump’s administration as a mixed bag. Evangelicals want both secure borders and laws that provide avenues for certain illegal immigrants to obtain legal status, according to a Lifeway Research study. They want to deport dangerous illegal immigrants … [Read more...]
