Most Churchgoers Satisfied With Churches’ Spiritual Growth Efforts, Study Finds

Most Churchgoers Satisfied With Churches’ Spiritual Growth Efforts, Study Finds

Most U.S. churchgoers say they are satisfied with how their congregations promote spiritual growth, help them understand the Bible and encourage service. However, levels of confidence vary notably by gender and Scripture engagement, according to a recent American Bible Society study. When asked whether their churches challenge them to “grow and take next steps,” 43% of churchgoers said they were “very satisfied,” 31% said they were “satisfied” and 26% said they were “not satisfied.”
  • Wisconsin Cathedral Names First Trans-Identifying Dean in The Episcopal Church
    A Wisconsin cathedral has installed what is believed to be the first trans-identifying dean in the history of The Episcopal Church. The Very Rev. Micah Cronin, a woman who identifies as a man, became dean of All Saints’ Cathedral in Milwaukee on Aug. 16, according to Episcopal News Service. Cronin described being raised Methodist, joining The Episcopal Church at age 19 and beginning to identify as transgender that same year.
  • California Pastor Creates 24/7 Digital AI Version of Himself
    A California pastor has developed an artificial intelligence version of himself designed to provide members of his congregation with guidance when he is unavailable. Pastor Justin Lester of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Vallejo created what has been described as “an AI digital doppelganger,” allowing church members to interact with an AI-generated version of their pastor around the clock for advice and answers to questions.

U.S. Church Attendance Rises as Share of Previously Unchurched Newcomers Falls

More than half of U.S. Protestant pastors say their churches are drawing larger weekend worship crowds than they did two years ago, even as the share of newcomers with no previous church involvement continues to decline. According to the findings, 54 percent of Protestant pastors said average worship attendance at their congregations had risen by at least 4 percent since 2023.
  • Dallas Megachurch, UMC Conference Continue Clash Over Governing Documents and Property Rights
    Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas and the Horizon Texas Conference remained at odds this week over changes to the megachurch’s governing documents. The Horizon Texas Conference filed a lawsuit in Dallas County District Court on Aug. 10, asking the court to resolve questions surrounding Highland Park UMC’s governing documents and a property deed that has been in place for decades.
  • U.S. Church Attendance Rises by 8 Million, but Gen Z Men Lag Behind
    About 8 million more Americans attended a Christian church service at least twice in 2025 than two years earlier, according to new research from the American Bible Society. The data appears in the fifth chapter of the American Bible Society’s 16th annual State of the Bible report, released Wednesday. NORC at the University of Chicago surveyed its AmeriSpeak panel.
  • Texas UMC Conference Sues Highland Park Megachurch Over Governing Changes
    A Texas regional body of The United Methodist Church has taken legal action against a prominent megachurch over changes to the congregation’s governing documents. The UMC Horizon Texas Annual Conference filed a petition for declaratory judgment Monday in Dallas County District Court naming Highland Park United Methodist Church as the defendant.
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