Author: Administrador

Sarinyapinngam photo – Getty By Aaron Earls Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, churches responded to serve churchgoers in a variety of ways, and churchgoers are overwhelmingly proud of how their church handled the crisis. According to Nashville-based Lifeway Research, almost 9 in 10 Protestant churchgoers (86%) say they are proud of how their church has responded … Continue reading “Churchgoers Proud of Church’s COVID-19 Response”

Greg Rakozy photo – Unsplash By Aaron Earls As Americans attempt to move past the life-altering effects of 2020, their perspective is shifting on some of the most significant questions facing humanity. A study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research finds, compared to a decade ago, U.S. adults today are more likely to regularly wonder about meaning … Continue reading “Americans’ Views of Life’s Meaning and Purpose Are Changing”

Oladimeji Ajegbile photo – Pexels By Aaron Earls Fewer churchgoers filled pews and Bible studies during the pandemic, but many still continued personal discipleship habits throughout 2020. A study by Nashville-based Lifeway Research found U.S. churchgoers were less likely to be involved in small groups during the pandemic, but many added some digital and individual … Continue reading “Pandemic Altered U.S. Churchgoers’ Discipleship Practices”

Tim Mossholder photo – Unsplash By Aaron Earls The Church of Eleven22 didn’t plan on having a worship service on a different day, but they were meeting in another church’s building at the time and outgrew all of their Sunday morning options. “Because of other things happening at the church at the time, Thursday night … Continue reading “Churchgoers Working on Sunday Could Spark Outreach Opportunities for Churches”

Jeff W photo – Unsplash By Aaron Earls As more Americans have access to legal marijuana, most U.S. Protestant pastors remain opposed to its use and legalization. In November 2020, five states approved marijuana legalization measures, including Mississippi, which became the first Southern state to approve medical marijuana. Now, 36 states have legalized it for … Continue reading “Most Pastors Oppose Marijuana Use, Legalization”

Pixabay photo – Pexels By Carol Pipes In the early weeks and months of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Southern Baptist churches joined the wave of school and business closures to help stem the spread of the coronavirus. Churches shifted to online worship services, while Sunday School classes and small groups met in backyards and via … Continue reading “Southern Baptist Census Data Reflects COVID’s Impact on Churches”

ysbrandcosijn photo – Getty By Aaron Earls U.S. Protestant churches endured a difficult 2020, including starting the year with fewer congregations. In 2019, approximately 3,000 Protestant churches were started in the U.S., but 4,500 Protestant churches closed, according to estimates from Nashville-based Lifeway Research. In 2019, approximately 3,000 Protestant churches were started in the U.S., … Continue reading “Protestant Church Closures Outpace Openings in U.S.”

Ben White photo – Unsplash By Aaron Earls As many Protestant denominations prepare to gather this summer for their national meetings, most pastors believe it is vital for their church to be part of a denomination but doubt the importance of those types of ties lasting another decade. A Lifeway Research study asked Protestant pastors … Continue reading “Pastors Value Denominations Now, Not as Sure About the Future”

nito100 photo – Getty By Aaron Earls As Christian groups and denominations debate the proper response to clergy sexual misconduct (both child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault), most pastors believe those who commit such crimes should withdraw from public ministry permanently. At the recent Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, the topic of pastoral sexual … Continue reading “Most Pastors Say Sexually Abusive Ministers Should Step Down Permanently”

jacoblund photo – Getty By Aaron Earls The vast majority of pastors say they feel support from other ministers in their communities, but that encouragement is less prevalent in some places. According to a study from Lifeway Research, 82% of U.S. Protestant pastors say they feel supported by other local pastors in their area, with … Continue reading “Most Pastors Feel Supported by Other Local Ministers”