HIRR Study Shows How U.S. Churches Have Rebounded Since Pandemic

A study of church attenders, conducted by the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations (EPIC) project between September 2024 through January 2025, provides a unique perspective from those in the pews.

This report reveals that more than a fifth (21%) of all attenders increased their attendance compared to pre-pandemic levels. Thirty-eight percent of current church attenders joined their congregation in the past five years. When comparing these newer participants to the long term participants, the more established members of their respective congregations attend more frequently, volunteer more often, and give more financially to the congregation. 

More than half of respondents reported stronger religious faith (55%) and spirituality (57%) as a result of pandemic experiences. Online worship has created new engagement patterns, with 26% of attenders participating predominantly virtually or alternating between in-person and virtual options.

“These findings shed light onto the changing patterns of attender participation that we can’t easily observe.” said Dr. Scott Thumma, the principal investigator for EPIC. "For those who have remained as active participants in their churches, the pandemic seems to have been a catalyst to strengthen their faith, increase their giving and explore new ways of enhancing their spiritual practices”.

Please contact the EPIC Principal Investigator Dr. Scott Thumma (sthumma@hartfordinternational.edu) for further details regarding the report and the study.

The Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations study is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and led by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace.