They are thriving.
Nearly half of Protestant churches in the U.S. have seen an increase in worship attendance since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent study.
A report from Lifeway Research, published on Tuesday, revealed that 52% of surveyed Protestant churches experienced at least a 4% growth in worship attendance over the past two years.
In comparison, 33% of congregations reported stable attendance, with numbers fluctuating between a 4% decline and a 4% increase, while 15% experienced a drop in attendance of more than 4%.
The study also highlighted that growth was more prevalent among Evangelical churches than Mainline Protestant congregations. Specifically, 57% of Evangelical churches reported at least a 4% increase, compared to 46% of Mainline congregations.
Pentecostal and Baptist churches showed particularly strong growth, with 62% of Pentecostal and 59% of Baptist congregations reporting attendance increases of at least 4%. On the other hand, only 43% of Methodist and 37% of Lutheran churches saw similar growth.
Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, explained that much of the recent attendance growth was likely due to congregants returning after being away during the pandemic. “Most pastors would have liked to see this return sooner, but the uptick is encouraging. Moving forward, new growth will need to come from reaching new people,” McConnell said.
The report’s findings were based on a phone survey conducted from Sept. 17 to Oct. 8, 2024, which included responses from 1,001 Protestant pastors. The survey has a margin of error of ±4.1% at the 95% confidence level.
Additionally, the report revealed that 28% of churches saw 20 or more individuals make new commitments to Jesus Christ in the past year. Another 24% reported 10 to 19 new commitments, while 42% saw between one and nine. Six percent of churches reported no new commitments.
McConnell also noted that despite many churches still falling short of their pre-pandemic attendance levels, there has been a slight increase in conversions. “Many churches are making a concerted effort to reach the next generation and those outside their congregations,” he added.
During the height of the pandemic in 2020, most churches temporarily halted in-person services due to government restrictions. Some churches faced prolonged closures and legal battles over restrictions, while others were prohibited from even holding outdoor services where attendees stayed in their vehicles.
Since the lifting of pandemic restrictions, church attendance recovery has varied across denominations. A study released in August 2023 by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research found that while about one-third of 4,809 surveyed churches saw attendance growth since 2020, more than half reported a decline compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The Hartford Institute study raised questions about the pandemic’s long-term impact on church attendance trends. “While the overall decline is not severe, the effects of the pandemic are still being felt,” the study noted. “Congregations remain hopeful, but many continue to grapple with challenges that predate COVID-19.”