Churchgoers in the United States are increasingly mixing online and in-person worship, a new study suggests. Since the pandemic, many now attend several different churches.
The study, Exploring Pandemic Impact on Congregations, published by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, is based on a survey of 24,000 churchgoers in the US, carried out last autumn.
One quarter of respondents said that they regularly participated in both virtual services and in person. Newer churchgoers were more likely to attend both in person and online.
“By far, the most common reason [to attend online worship] is convenience,” the study said: it was given as a reason by nearly half (46 per cent) of respondents. Other reasons included illness, caring duties, and being homebound.
The study, Exploring Pandemic Impact on Congregations, published by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, is based on a survey of 24,000 churchgoers in the US, carried out last autumn.
One quarter of respondents said that they regularly participated in both virtual services and in person. Newer churchgoers were more likely to attend both in person and online.
Churchgoers in the #UnitedStates are increasingly mixing online and in-person worship, a new study suggests. Since the pandemic, many now attend several different churches https://t.co/H4HiOXRQGS
— Church Times (@ChurchTimes) September 4, 2025