By Aaron Earls BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Regular small group participants are likely to be among the most mature disciples in a church, but they still need encouragement in some areas. According to the latest analysis of Lifeway Research’s State of Discipleship study, U.S. Protestant churchgoers who regularly attend a small group Bible study, such as Sunday School, have the … [Read more...]

By Ella Nichter BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Even with wide differences across congregations, most attendees are content with their church’s worship style. Protestant churches in the U.S. vary significantly in how they structure their services, particularly elements like set prayers, readings and formal patterns. Despite those differences, Lifeway Research finds 3 in 4 Protestant … [Read more...]

By Aaron Earls BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Over the past decade, churchgoers are more likely to see someone of a different ethnicity in their congregation but less likely to hear about that racial diversity from the pulpit. A Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors finds churches have seemingly grown more diverse, while pastors have grown less likely to see that … [Read more...]

By Aaron Earls BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — They may share a congregation, but men and women have different discipleship needs, according to new analysis from Lifeway Research. In general, women have higher discipleship scores than men in the State of Discipleship. Across the eight signposts that are characteristics consistently present in the lives of believers progressing in … [Read more...]