To use a somewhat dated expression, it’s “hot off the press.” I am referring to the latest Pew Research Center “Religious Landscape Study.” This is Pew’s third large-scale “Religious Landscape Study,” involving, in this 2023-2024 survey, 36,908 United States adults. The first of these “Landscape surveys” was 2007, and the second in 2014. As a result, we now have, between these three surveys, a thorough and comprehensive picture of U.S. religious trends over the last 17 years.
To keep this in perspective, Pew has become the preeminent source for this kind of information. Not even the Gallup organization can compete when it comes to findings and data related to religious life in the United States. Gallup surveys contact only 1,000 adults. And unlike Gallup, Pew Research’s survey of just under 37,000 respondents focuses entirely on in-depth questions related to religious affiliation, practices and beliefs.
So—now that I have your attention—here is a summary of the results of this latest Religious Landscape Study.
First, the good news. Unlike the 2007 and 2014 surveys, this survey indicated that the rate of decline in Americans identifying as Christians is leveling off. The quote, in the introduction of this Pew report is, “After many years of steady decline, the share of Americans who identify as Christians shows signs of leveling off—at least temporarily—at slightly above six-in-ten…”
Now the not-so-good news. This “leveling off” needs to be considered in the context of long-term decline when it comes to…
1. The percentage of Americans who self-identify as Christians;
2. The number of Americans who report they attend church worship services at least once a month (now at only 33% of respondents); and…
3. The fact that the generation most likely to identify as Christian and worship regularly is aging (and dying) Boomers; while younger generations are far less likely to identify as Christians and far more likely to identify as “atheist, agnostic” or as “nothing at all.”
And one more finding from Pew: When it comes to overall trends since 2007: “There are far fewer Christians and more ‘nones’ among men and women; people in every racial and ethnic category, college graduates and those with less education; and residents of all major regions of the country.”
Oh, and one more quote regarding these downward trends: “The changes are much more pronounced among ideological liberals than (they are among) conservatives.”
For complete results from this survey you only need to go to the Pew website.
I realize there might be few (if any) surprises in these survey results and trends. However, I would like to share some practical strategies for your congregation to consider as it strives to be faithful, effective and relevant in our increasingly secular society. The suggestions below are based on my work—over decades—working in a coaching role with pastors and lay leaders of over 500 Lutheran congregations.
1. Never forget that when it comes to a congregation’s number of active members, size matters. Implications? Smaller churches cannot do everything well when it comes to their ministry efforts. Accordingly, they should focus on doing one or two of their ministries really well. Some examples:
Quality worship (including congregational singing), small discussion-oriented groups (most often Bible studies and/or book studies), and local community service efforts your people can volunteer for.
2. A ministry focus on reaching nesting-stage families is incredibly important. But it usually “takes families to attract families”. So if you no longer have any families with children worshiping you might want to focus on one or more of the above strategies.
3. In smaller congregations—especially those worshiping fewer than between 50 and 75 at a given service—be sure to more-often-than-not select congregational hymns and songs that are both popular and familiar. Otherwise you will have difficulty maintaining your current attendance over the long term.
Finally, there are two primary ministry strategies that are the most meaningful and effective for congregations of any size. The first relates to outreach and the second to in-reach and disciple-making.
A. Worship This is not only about preaching and worship music (see above), but also Sunday-morning hospitality. The bottomline here is this rule of thumb: The more meaningful your worship life—including congregational singing, preaching and hospitality—the more likely your members will invite friends, and the more likely first-time visitors will return for a second visit.
B. The second suggestion is disciple-making and small groups. They go together. The best venue for “making disciples” is small groups. Here’s a challenge for your congregation: Rather than be satisfied with the number of groups already meeting within your congregation, how about “new groups for new people”? For example, how about trying to launch at least one new group each year?
If you would like free printed resources related to either worship ministry or small groups, email me at pastordonbrandt@gmail.com Unless I happen to be on a trip I will email these resources to you within a few days of you contacting me.
Pastor Don Brandt
Congregations in Transition and Congregational Lay-leadership Initiative
