What Will Churches Be Like After Reopening? CBE Survey Has Some Shocking Findings!
As churches reopen in some parts of the country, what changes can pastors expect? And, in general, what will church life be like for the average congregation in America after the pandemic? A new survey from the Center for Bible Engagement (CBE) anticipates some key trends that churches will experience. Here are three that will affect most congregations coast to coast: (1) a dip in weekly worship attendance among regular weekly attenders, (2) an increase in online attendance when the pandemic ends , and (3) an increase in traffic from occasional attenders. Arnie Cole, CEO of Back to the Bible and Director of Research for the CBE, says churches can "expect lots of shuffling in the pews" and innovative new ways of connecting with each other. "In our previous research among pastors and regular church attenders, we found that the vast majority of regular attenders are participating in online worship services during the COVID-19 pandemic," Cole says. "And one-third anticipate their in-person church attendance will not go back to pre-pandemic rates." Cole has learned from earlier congregation studies that 60 to 80% of the people sitting in the pews on a given Sunday are people who attend every week. The remaining 20 to 40% do so at most once or twice a month. "With this in mind we anticipate that many churches will see a dip in weekly worship attendance, post-pandemic, and those with the highest concentrations of regular weekly attenders will see the largest decreases," he explains. "But on the positive side, churches can expect to see a portion of their occasional attenders more often." Cole reports that 68% are participating in online worship services during the lock down period. Most (77%) anticipate that their church attendance will be the same after the pandemic. A minority (16%) expect to attend more often and 7% anticipate attending less. Considering the data for both regular and occasional attenders, most churches can expect a decrease in attendance and a high percentage of people who used to attend only occasionally. |
Tags : Church church after covid-19 pandemic church coronavirus lockdown church attendance lockdown church finances coronavirus
Hot Trends
-
Michael W. Smith is Becoming a Grandfather Again
-
Hillsong Church Settles Lawsuit with Female Parishioner Over Sexual Assault
-
Darlene Zschech's Daughter Weds
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Brandon Lake & Wife Brittany Welcome Third Child
-
Hillsong Worship Former Leader Miriam Webster Gets Married
-
Oak Ridge Boys' William Lee Golden Re-tells the Story of the Prodigal in New Autobiography
-
Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes Announce They Will Be Embarking on an International Tour
-
TobyMac Returns with His Brand New Single "Nothin' Sweeter"
-
Here Are Lyrics to Bryan & Katie Torwalt's "Clean Heart"
-
Prestonwood Baptist Church to host 20th annual Biblical Worldview Conference
-
Former Leeland Member, Jack Mooring, Releases New Book "Portrait of God"
-
Find Out Why Phil Wickham is Excited About His Duet with Bethel Music's Brandon Lake
-
Sandy Blythe Introduces Us to the Blythe Family & Their New Album "Making Me Stronger"
-
The Booth Brother's Paul Lancaster's Wife Michelle Passes Away
Most Popular
-
Michael W. Smith is Becoming a Grandfather Again
-
Hillsong Church Settles Lawsuit with Female Parishioner Over Sexual Assault
-
Darlene Zschech's Daughter Weds
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Brandon Lake & Wife Brittany Welcome Third Child
-
Hillsong Worship Former Leader Miriam Webster Gets Married
-
Oak Ridge Boys' William Lee Golden Re-tells the Story of the Prodigal in New Autobiography
-
Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes Announce They Will Be Embarking on an International Tour
-
TobyMac Returns with His Brand New Single "Nothin' Sweeter"
-
Here Are Lyrics to Bryan & Katie Torwalt's "Clean Heart"
-
Prestonwood Baptist Church to host 20th annual Biblical Worldview Conference
-
Former Leeland Member, Jack Mooring, Releases New Book "Portrait of God"
-
Find Out Why Phil Wickham is Excited About His Duet with Bethel Music's Brandon Lake
-
Sandy Blythe Introduces Us to the Blythe Family & Their New Album "Making Me Stronger"
-
The Booth Brother's Paul Lancaster's Wife Michelle Passes Away