A new study from Exponential by LifeWay Research found 6 in 10 Protestant churches are plateaued or declining in attendance and more than half saw fewer than 10 people become new Christians in the past 12 months.
“Growth is not absent from American churches,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. “But rapid growth through conversions is uncommon.”
The research gives a clear picture of the state of Protestant churches in America today. Most have fewer than 100 people attending services each Sunday (57%), including 21 percent who average fewer than 50. Around 1 in 10 churches (11%) average 250 or more for their worship services.
Three in five (61%) pastors say their churches faced a decline in worship attendance or growth of 5 percent or less in the last three years. Almost half (46%) say their giving decreased or stayed the same from 2017 to 2018.
The state of Protestant churches in America today:
Most have fewer than 100 people attending services each Sunday (57%), including 21 percent who average fewer than 50
Around 1 in 10 churches (11%) average 250 or more for their worship serviceshttps://t.co/awgk1LTJBe
— Christianity Today (@CTmagazine) March 9, 2019