Financial toll: At many US churches, pandemic hits collection plates, budgets
HOLLY MEYER and HALELUYA HADERO, of The Associated Press, report on the financial stresses facing US churches…
Amid COVID-19, most US churches provide hybrid worship, half stopped picnics
RNS Eight in 10 US churches now provide hybrid services, offering options for congregants to worship either in person or online during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. Almost a quarter of churches, the report said, have moderate to severe conflicts about pandemic restrictions. PICTURE: Gabriella […]
In the US, more Protestant churches closing than opening, study finds
RNS A new study from Lifeway Research suggests more Protestant churches closed in 2019 than opened – continuing a decades-long congregational slide that is only expected to accelerate. The study, which analysed church data from 34 Protestant denominations and groups, found that 4,500 churches closed in 2019, while about 3,000 new congregations were started. The 34 […]
US megachurches continue to grow and diversify, steer clear of politics – report
RNS America’s megachurches have continued to thrive over the past five years, attracting more worshippers, becoming more diverse and opening new locations. A pre-pandemic, national survey of megachurches from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research found the median megachurch draws about 4,100 attenders to its worship services, up from about 3,700 in 2015. Lakewood Church […]