Churches Rebounding After Pandemic but Still Struggling in Some Areas, Report Finds

A comprehensive report from Hartford International University’s Hartford Institute for Religion Research regarding the condition of the nation’s churches presents a combination of positive signs of recovery and persistent challenges following the pandemic’s impact.

The Hartford Institute's fourth report examining how U.S. congregations are navigating the COVID-19 pandemic shows that in numerous aspects, churches throughout the nation find themselves in a more favorable situation than they did a year or two ago, according to officials.

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The Hartford International University for Religion and Peace was formerly known as the Hartford Seminary; it campus is located near the Hartford-West Hartford town line.

The study has revealed what are described as some encouraging trends of revival, as well as a range of ongoing difficulties and new circumstances brought about by the pandemic. Clergy members play a central role in these transformations, displaying signs of stress and fatigue, the report notes. However, a closer examination unveils a nuanced perspective, it points out.

“Attendance continues to rebound – but how and what you count makes some difference,” the report states.  “In-person worship attendance is generally still below pre-pandemic levels. Looking at in-person figures only, the Faith Communities Today 2020 pre-pandemic worship attendance showed a median of 65 people, whereas the 2023 survey had a median of 60 attendees. However, taking into account virtual attendance combined with in-person numbers, total worship attendance shows a median of 75, which is 15% above pre-pandemic worship figures.”

Notable positive findings from the report include rising attendance, increased income, volunteer participation growth and a decrease in conflict within congregations.

Nonetheless, persistent challenges remain, according to the report findings. These include consistent fluctuations in congregation size, an aging demographic among both clergy and congregational members, a reluctance to embrace change, and concerns about improving engagement and a sense of belonging among primarily virtual attendees.

The 17-page report also notes that “while worship technology is becoming more stable, congregations generally prefer in-person worship, even as the majority of churches continue to offer virtual worship options. Furthermore, there is a prevailing sense of discontent among clergy, reflecting the intricate realities faced by religious institutions in today’s world.”

Recent increases in volunteerism also were highlighted in the report, described as a “bright spot.”

“Previously, the significant dip in volunteer rates apparent in the past few surveys was worrisome because volunteers are critical to a church’s functioning.”  The report showed “a significant recovery of the percent of volunteers over the past year to an average of 35% of regular participants. This percent-age is now much closer to the pre-pandemic level of 40%.”

Overall, “over 80% of congregations surveyed expressed a positive outlook on their future, with almost half (44%) expressing a very positive view,” the report stated.

The Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations: Innovation Amidst and Beyond Covid-19 study is a collaborative, five-year research project funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and led by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace. 

This 2023 survey report focuses solely on Christian congregations; it includes an over-sampling of 20 denominational groups and a random sampling of congregations in other denominations for a total of 58 Christian denominational groups and 4,809 responses, January – May 2023.