A new study from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford International University shows churches are still struggling to attract young people to the pews, address concerns about aging clergy and congregants, and commit to doing what it takes to ensure their future survival.
While the data show that approximately one-third of the 4,809 churches in the study say their attendance has increased since the pandemic began in 2020, more than half say they have suffered a slight or severe decline in attendance compared to where they were before the pandemic.
The study notes, “Congregations remain optimistic about their future, but it is also apparent they are continuing to wrestle with the troubling conditions that were in existence long before COVID-19 arrived.”
In addition to growth issues, the survey found more than half of the pastors surveyed, said they had thought about quitting their jobs compared with 37% two years earlier. Younger pastors were found more likely to entertain this thought, along with other factors.
While relatively few of these clergy dwell on this thought often, over a quarter have considered it more than once or twice in moments of stress. Likewise, this survey doesn’t capture those ministers who may have already left their congregations or the pastoral ministry.
While there are no clear figures on how many are departing their church or profession, it certainly is happening.