Ministry leaders of all stripes have increasingly had to navigate the reality of polarized views within their communities and congregations. For instance, Barna recently learned that one of the main reasons some pastors are thinking about leaving full-time ministry is political division.

Indeed, new Barna research raises questions about a more divided America. Comparing a June 2022 survey to data collected in 2015, we see growing inconsistencies in U.S. adults’ willingness to discuss important topics with others and to examine their own views.

Since 2015, Adults Are More Willing to Listen—and More Likely to Feel Threatened At a high level, there seems to be encouraging news: When it comes to topics that are important to U.S. adults, the vast majority agrees (92% agree strongly + somewhat) they’re open to hearing others out, even if they disagree with them. This view has held steady since 2015.*

A similar percentage (91%) agrees they welcome different ways of thinking about important topics. Further, 78 percent of U.S. adults go so far as to say they’re at least somewhat willing to change their mind once it’s made up about an important topic. On both of these points, U.S. adults are more likely to agree in 2022 than they were in 2015.

Generally, U.S. adults today have a pretty rosy perspective on their ability to talk across differences. This runs counter, however, to past Barna research that suggests there are certain divides that are difficult to bridge in conversation. U.S. adults’ own responses today also present friction and indicate an entrenchment of beliefs is on the rise.