Aaron Earls

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Less Than Half of Americans Attend Church at Christmas

As Americans make their Christmas plans, slightly less than half say they usually attend a church service during the holiday season. A Lifeway Research study finds U.S. adults are split on whether they’ll be at church sometime this Christmas... Continue Reading »

Many Americans more consumeristic than content

Heading into the busiest shopping season of the year, many Americans may find meaning and purpose while they’re picking up gifts for others and themselves. A Lifeway Research study asked 1,200 U.S. adults their level of agreement with 10... Continue Reading »

Americans Grow More Liberal on Moral Issues, More Concerned About Moral Values

Americans are growing increasingly progressive in several areas of morality while also growing increasingly concerned about the current state of moral values and pessimistic about the future. According to the latest Gallup survey on moral issues, U.S. adults are... Continue Reading »

Small groups remain key aspect of churches’ discipleship ministry

Visiting a friend outside his hometown of Gloucester, England, in the late 1700s, Robert Raikes encountered children cursing, gambling and fighting in the streets. He was horrified, but a local woman told him it was even worse on Sundays,... Continue Reading »

Pastors’ pay rebounds in Southern Baptist churches

After a difficult economic stretch for many churches and pastors, Southern Baptist pastors may feel more comfortable compared to two years ago. Compensation for full-time Southern Baptist senior pastors, full-time staff ministers and full-time office personnel outpaced inflation over... Continue Reading »

Most churchgoers invite others to join them

When churchgoers show up to their church’s worship service, they’re often hoping to have a guest with them. A Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant churchgoers finds 3 in 5 (60 percent) say they have extended at least one... Continue Reading »

Churchgoers may be overconfident in Old Testament knowledge

If you ask someone at church to name their favorite story from the Old Testament, they may mention Moses or Noah, but they might also talk about Jesus or Paul. Some may even begin describing a story from outside... Continue Reading »

Are some churches stuck in the past?

Pews? Where we’re going, we don’t need pews. Some churchgoers say walking into their church feels like time travel, with ministry that would be at home in the past. Around 3 in 10 (29%) U.S. Protestant churchgoers say their... Continue Reading »

Are Americans growing less religious?

Fewer Americans see religion as an important aspect of their lives, and it shows in their beliefs and actions. A Gallup survey finds U.S. adults are less likely to identify with a religion, say religion is very important to... Continue Reading »

31 Percent of Churchgoers Say Their Church Supports Pregnancy Care Centers

Two years ago, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and the nationwide right to an abortion. In the aftermath, many churchgoers say they’ve seen their congregations involved in supporting local pregnancy resource centers. On June 24, 2022, in... Continue Reading »

Is the public perception of Christians declining?

Most churchgoers believe Christians have a good reputation with Americans in general, but they worry those feelings are starting to sour. A Lifeway Research study finds 53 percent of U.S. Protestant churchgoers say most Americans have a positive perception... Continue Reading »

SBC messengers screen new Kendrick brothers film ‘The Forge’

Before “The Forge” debuts in theaters across the country on Aug. 23, Alex and Stephen Kendrick gave audiences at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting an early screening of their latest film. In two different screenings sponsored by Lifeway... Continue Reading »