Quality Data on Religion Since 1998

Please type your search term:

Posts Tagged ‘congregations’

America elected a female vice president. Now will it put women in the pulpit?

By Ryan Burge Produced in collaboration with the Religion News Service.  (RNS) — One of the most important stories coming out of the 2020 presidential election is that the United States will soon swear in its first female vice president. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris noted this in her victory speech on Nov. 7, when she

Read Full Column

Report: Megachurches continue to grow and diversify, steer clear of politics

A look at megachurches over the past five years finds that most have grown larger and more diverse and become less likely to call themselves evangelical.

Most congregations are doing all right during COVID-19. But the future is uncertain.

A new study from the Lake Institute on faith and giving found that congregations’ giving was holding up during the pandemic, but barely half had met in person.

Can churches’ focus on race move from reconciliation to justice?

‘The evangelical pastors that we interviewed, ultimately chose racial reconciliation as their primary frame,’ a scholar said of study of multiracial church leaders.

Faithful man walking: Science finds multiple benefits of religion for justice system

Several new studies find faith may serve to create a safer, more just society, from reducing recidivism and prison violence to
helping those seeking redemption find a peace that can transform their lives.

Study: U.S. churches exclude children with autism, ADD/ADHD

America’s religious communities are failing children with chronic health conditions such as autism, learning disabilities, depression and conduct disorders. And they have been doing it for a very long time, suggests a just-published national study following three waves of the National Survey of Children’s Health.

It can't happen here: How houses of worship face challenge of preserving sacred space and protecting members

How do you celebrate the presence of a loving, divine protector while guarding against crime in your church, synagogue or mosque? Not always very well, according to research measuring the extent and nature of crimes against congregations, and the ways congregations address security concerns. The majority of congregations “do not have much of any security measures in place,” a national survey found.

Faith and health: When TV goes low in depicting religion, marginal believers may suffer most

What is the impact of the public trashing of religion on the lives of the great majority of Americans who profess a belief in God? New research exploring the relation between mental health and negative media portrayals of religion reveals some surprising findings.

Lessons from Amazon: Being open to change can spur congregational vitality, growth

The majority of congregations are at a crossroad today: They must adapt to a culture where churchgoing is increasingly more of a choice than an obligation, or face a future of sustained decline. Yet many congregations have been reluctant to embrace any major changes in outreach to attract new members or retain younger generations. Instead, they appear to be cutting back, research indicates.

Mere humanity: Clergy who are humble, accessible may boost their own health as well as the congregation’s

Many clergy worry that being honest about their own limitations may be seen as a sign of weakness. Yet new research suggests that not only do congregation members value pastors who are approachable, and share their humanity, but that feeling compelled to live up to unrealistic standards of spiritual perfection can take a debilitating toll on the mental health of pastors.

Our Sponsors

Our Affiliates

© 2023 The Association of Religion Data Archives. All rights reserved.