Most churches have found a way to continue meeting despite the ongoing pandemic, but fewer met in person in January as COVID-19 cases spiked across the country.<\/p>\n
A new study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research found 76% of U.S. Protestant pastors say their churches met in person in January, down from 87% who said the same in September<\/a>.<\/p>\n Even among those who are holding in-person services, few are near pre-pandemic attendance levels. Around 3 in 10 pastors (31%) say their attendance in January 2021 is less than half what it was in January 2020, months before the coronavirus prompted national lockdowns.<\/p>\n Slightly more (37%) note attendance between 50% and 70%. Another 3 in 10 say attendance is close to normal (70%-100%). Few (2%) have grown in their in-person attendance compared to one year ago.<\/p>\n Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n 76% of U.S. Protestant pastors say their churches met in person in January, down from 87% who said the same in September. https:\/\/t.co\/FN8fotqiZK<\/a> via @LifewayResearch<\/a><\/p>\n — Jonathan Norris (@jnorris849) February 26, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n