Growth Rebounds Post-Pandemic, But Splits Remain
A new Lifeway Research study conducted with Exponential shows a nearly even split in U.S. Protestant church growth. Around 52% of churches reported attendance growth of 4% or more in the past two years. Meanwhile, 33% remained stable, and 15% experienced at least a 4% decline. Researchers attribute much of the growth to people returning after the COVID-19 pandemic rather than new outreach success.
Larger and Evangelical Churches Lead Growth
Larger churches are more likely to grow. Among congregations with over 250 attendees, 62% reported growth, compared to just 23% of those with fewer than 50. Evangelical churches (57%) outpaced mainline ones (46%) in growth. Holiness (63%), Pentecostal (62%), and Baptist churches (59%) were more likely to report increases than Methodists (43%) and Lutherans (37%).
Evangelistic Impact and New Commitments Rise
Half of Protestant churches saw at least 10 people commit to Jesus in the past year. Nearly 30% saw four or fewer new decisions per 100 attendees, while 29% saw 10 to 24. Churches today report more conversions per attendee than in 2019. Evangelicals were more active in outreach and more likely to report growth in conversions.
Leadership Development Increasing, Yet Uneven
Most churches (81%) have leadership development plans. Programs vary in length and intensity, with only 43% offering structured ministry training. Evangelical churches again lead in developing future leaders. However, nearly half of churches lack any formal leadership development program.
Church Planting and Mission Work Show Modest Gains
Roughly 36% of churches helped plant a new church in the past year, up from 2019. However, only 2% accepted full financial sponsorship of a church plant. Praying for missions is common, but fewer churches send long-term missionaries or start multisite campuses.
Finances Improve, Yet Investment in Church Planting Lags
About 46% of churches reported increased giving in 2024. Despite rising offerings, only a quarter of churches allocate more than 1% of their budget directly to church planting. Most cite existing financial commitments or limited funds as barriers.
Supporters and Critics Voice Concerns
Supporters highlight rising attendance and evangelistic growth as signs of revival. Detractors caution that sustained momentum will require fresh outreach, leadership pipelines, and deeper financial investment in mission work.
Source:
Half of U.S. Churches Experiencing Attendance Growth Post-Pandemic
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