Presbyterian Church (USA)
In late May, the Presbyterian Church (USA) released a report titled “COVID-19: Presbyteries, Congregations & New Worshiping Communities Respond to the Pandemic“. The report is based on surveys of three populations: Mid-Council Leaders, Congregations, and New Worshiping Communities.
Key Takeaway
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a hardship on many worshiping communities. Some are struggling just to survive. However, this has not stopped many PC(USA) congregations from reaching out to others by starting new missions and learning new technologies.
United Methodist Church (UMC)
Phase 1
United Methodist Communications conducted an online survey between March 26 and 30, 2020 to assess the impact of COVID-19 on United Methodist congregations. They received a total of 958 complete responses, the key findings of which are summarized via the slideshow below.
Summary of Key Findings
Phase 2
United Methodist Communications conducted an online survey between April 16 and 21, 2020 to more comprehensively assess how the pandemic is affecting United Methodist congregations at this more advanced stage of the crisis. They received a total of 970 complete responses, the key findings of which were summarized in our May 4 newsletter accessible via the link below.
Orthodox Christian Parishes
Phase 1
This focused analysis on the impact of the Coronavirus on American Orthodox Christian Churches is extracted from an ongoing national survey, the “Orthodox Parish Life Study,” which is being undertaken as part of the larger Faith Communities Today 2020 study.
Summary of Key Findings
Full Report
“As the pastor, I feel that the pandemic and the resulting home confinement of the members have resulted in a renewed hunger for prayer, worship and receiving the Sacraments. So, in a sense, the crisis has forced a cell-like experience of the faithful which will hopefully result in more faithful attendance at the divine services and more active participation in parish life by the members once the Coronavirus has abated.”
This comment offered by one of the respondents, a parish priest in the Antiochian Archdiocese, is one of many more detailed reflections that can be found in the broader report compiled on this survey.
Phase 2
A second study, “The Pandemic and American Orthodox Christian Parishes,” was conducted online between May 4 and 9, 2020 and is based on 234 responses. The findings of this more in-depth follow-up survey were summarized in our May newsletter and can be explored further via the links below.
FACT Resources
Partner Resources
- COVID-19 Information and Resources (American Baptist Churches USA)
- Coronavirus Updates (Bahá’ís of the United States)
- COVID-19 Updates & Resources (Church of the Nazarene)
- Disciples and COVID-19 (Christian Church (Disciples of Christ))
- Guidance on How to Administer the Church in Challenging Times (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
- Resources to Help Your Church Thrive and Serve in the Midst of the Pandemic (Church of God Ministries)
- COVID-19 Resource Collection (Congregational Resource Guide)
- Technology for Virtual Congregational Life (Congregational Resource Guide)
- Resources to Help Leaders and Members Stay Connected and Resilient During COVID-19 (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
- Coping with COVID Webinar Series (Hindu American Foundation)
- ISNA COVID-19 Resources (Islamic Society of North America)
- COVID-19 Resources for Religious Organizations (Lake Institute on Faith and Giving)
- Statement Regarding COVID-19 (Metropolitan Community Churches)
- The COVID-19 Pandemic and Our Churches (National Council of Churches)
- Guidance for Churches During the COVID-19 Pandemic (North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church)
- COVID-19 Resources for Congregations and Members (Presbyterian Church (USA))
- Youth Ministry in a Pandemic (Princeton Theological Seminary)
- Responses to COVID-19 from SBC Entities (Southern Baptist Convention)
- Coronavirus and the Church (United Church of Christ)
- Coronavirus Inspiration, Information & Resources (United Methodist Church)
- Resources for Catholics During COVID-19 (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
- COVID-19 and Your Congregation (Unitarian Universalist Association)
- Concerning COVID-19: Information and Resources (The Episcopal Church)
- COVID-19 Pandemic Resources (The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
Additional Surveys
- Religious Practice in the Time of Coronavirus (UChicago Divinity School/AP-NORC) – May 15, 2020
- Many Houses of Worship Have Sought Government Aid, Surveys Show (NPR) – May 6, 2020
- Regularly Attending Religious Services Associated with Lower Risk of Deaths of Despair (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health) – May 6, 2020
- Update on Virtual Worship in the U.S. During COVID-19 (Gallup) – May 1, 2020
- Few Protestant Churches Met in Person for Worship Services in April (LifeWay Research) – May 1, 2020
- Few Americans Say Their House of Worship is Open, but a Quarter Say Their Faith Has Grown Amid Pandemic (Pew Research Center) – April 30, 2020
- How COVID-19 Shutdowns Are Impacting Personal and Church Finances (State of the Plate) – April 22, 2020
- COVID-19 Church Survey Summary Report: Second Round (ARC/Billy Graham Center/Discipleship.org/Exponential/Leadership Network) – April 21, 2020
- Social Distancing Heightens Feelings of Isolation and Loneliness in Young People (Springtide Research Institute) – April 9, 2020
- Most Churches Have Stopped Gathering, Few Plan to Meet on Easter (LifeWay Research) – April 2, 2020
- State of the Church 2020 (Barna) – April 2020
- Higher attendance, lower giving: New survey shows how churches are responding to COVID-19 (Religion News Service) – March 30, 2020
- Would They Rather be Dead Right? Support for Congregations Staying Open (Religion in Public) – March 30, 2020
- COVID-19 Church Survey Summary Report (ARC/Billy Graham Center/Discipleship.org/Exponential/Leadership Network) – March 27, 2020
Additional Resources
