Today’s churches are wading in complex waters. While Barna research shows that churchgoers generally report positive emotional experiences at their church, there’s still a significant gap in what they are seeking versus what they find. Even pastors themselves are questioning their church’s effectiveness, especially when it comes to community outreach and discipleship.

These candid self-reflections help frame this month’s State of the Church release, created in partnership with Gloo. We’ll dig into some of the questions you may be asking as a leader: Who’s attending church? Why are they attending? What makes them stay connected? And perhaps most importantly—what are they truly seeking when they walk through your church’s doors?

These are significant trends we’ll continue watching—and we’ll help you stay informed along the way, too. As you explore this data, we invite you to think about how your church is engaging with both members and neighbors. The data suggest that, despite the challenges, churches remain uniquely positioned to meet profound needs every person has for both spiritual formation and authentic community.

This content is part of Barna's State of the Church initiative, produced in partnership with Gloo.

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