Social distancing has become a norm since Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) dominated the world in 2020. Faith community has also taken a big hit as congregants distance themselves from attending churches.
What used to be halls filled with church members on Sundays are now empty churches. Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic and the continuing surge, the church attendance continues to dramatically decline.
The COVID-19 and Omicron variant accelerated the diminishing church attendance rapidly. A recent study by The Barna Group, a leading research organization, found that 40% of Christian clergy have seriously considered quitting, with burnout highest in liberal Protestant denominations.
The in-person worship attendance levels remain short of pre-pandemic levels. According to the Barna research, the percentage of young-adult dropouts has risen from 59 to 64 percent.
“We found a sub-group analysis that pastors in the ministry for 20 years or more were more likely to tell us they were considering quitting,” said David Kinnaman, president and CEO of The Barna Group. “Also, younger pastors under 45 were the most likely to say they were considering quitting.”
Churches have implemented ways to make service doable despite the saddening statistics. As the COVID-19 surge continues on, the pandemic crisis calls for religious leaders to reshape the churches and bring people back to their faith.