Aaron Earls, Author at MinistryWatch
Membership down, engagement and baptisms up
SBC membership decline continues, but baptisms and engagement rise.
Most churchgoers give extra to their churches, other nonprofits during holiday season
Churchgoing adults in the U.S. are likely to make financial and item donations during the Christmas season, according to a Lifeway Research study.
New study identifies unique features of ministry in small towns and rural areas.
Life in rural America has its charms and challenges. Those who pastor in small towns across the United States recognize the trials inherent to those areas but believe God is working in their congregations and ...
Analysis comparing studies of current and former Protestant pastors reveals factors that predict the likelihood of quitting ministry.
Analysis reveals factors that predict the likelihood of quitting ministry.
After hovering near record lows for several years, percentage of U.S. adults who trust the church grew slightly in 2025.
While most Americans remain distrustful of the church, a growing number say they have confidence in the institution.
Most churches have discipline protocols to address unrepentant sin—but don’t use them
Most pastors say their churches have policies in place to address significant misbehavior by church members, but few have actually used those policies recently.
Pastors more likely to encourage prayer, less likely to hold events, show videos, or hand out information on persecution
As pastors speak and pray with their congregations, they say they’re also keeping persecuted Christians around the world in mind.
Study finds evangelical views on immigration remain largely stable over past few years
Many U.S. evangelicals may view early immigration and refugee maneuvers by President Donald Trump’s administration as a mixed bag. Evangelicals want both secure borders and laws that provide avenues for certain illegal immigrants to obtain ...
And yet, belief is more prevalent among churchgoers
Many churchgoers say their church connects financial blessings with personal generosity, but most pastors see those ideas as bankrupt.
More Americans are dying of opioid abuse, but fewer churches are serving those with opioid addictions. A Lifeway Research study found U.S. Protestant pastors are just as likely to say someone connected to their congregation ...
