As the U.S. presidential election looms, pastors might wonder how to lead well during this time of increased tension. If our data on the tug-of-war for their engagement is any indication, they likely feel there is no way to win with all of their congregants.

Today’s article offers three research insights to help pastors understand the current climate and thoughtfully guide their church through this divided moment.

Yes, the Church’s Political Engagement Has Intensified Since 2016 Regardless of whether pastors are talking about political issues, their people certainly are—and much more so than in the past. Barna research conducted earlier this year show engagement in following or discussing politics since the 2016 election has risen among both practicing Christians (48% of Christians who attend church at least monthly and say their faith is important to them) and the general population (41% of all U.S. adults). While two in five say their involvement has stayed the same (44% practicing Christian, 45% U.S. adults), neither group has had much decrease in political engagement (9% vs. 14%). Unchurched adults—those who have not attended church within the past six months—report the least amount of movement over the past four years, with one-third (35%) noting an increase in engagement, 12 percent claiming a decrease and half (53%) saying their engagement has stayed the same.

Within this same study, data show that the majority of practicing Christians (58%) and churched adults (64%)—those who have attended church within the past six months—says their church leaders speak at least occasionally on these topics. However, a plurality of each (36% practicing Christians, 27% U.S. churched adults) say their ministers never broach these issues. But regardless of whether or not their pastors address politics from the pulpit, do Americans even want to hear from their church leaders on these issues?

When asked if they wished their pastors spoke more or less about political issues, two in five practicing Christians (46%) and churched adults (40%) say “neither—keep it the same.” One-quarter (26% practicing Christians vs. 30% churched adults) prefers these issues were brought up more, while about one in five (18% each) prefers these were addressed less. Among both practicing Christians and churched adults in general, data show that those who are male, Millennial or identify as an ethnic minority are more likely to say they prefer their ministers to speak on political issues “a lot more.”