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Delivering on expectations
If Protestant churchgoers are looking for direct endorsements at church, they’re going to be disappointed. Just 2% of pastors say they have endorsed a political candidate during a church service this year, according to an additional Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors.
But for churchgoers wanting pastors to address issues, most feel like their church meets those expectations. Around three in five say their pastor addresses current issues within a sermon around weekly, including 27% who say that happens every week and 35% almost every week. Another 23% say it happens at least once a month.
Only a handful of churchgoers say broaching modern topics happens less frequently. Around one in 14 (7%) say they hear a sermon addressing current issues several times a year, while 6% say that rarely happens. Just 1% say their pastor never addresses those topics in a sermon, and 2% aren’t sure.
“Churchgoers notice that most pastors are not just preaching from the Bible as an historical document,” said McConnell. “Pastors seek to explain the original meaning and context, but then apply those principles to issues and situations today. Such application of the biblical text helps churchgoers recognize its relevance.”
Churchgoers under the age of 50 are more likely to hear their pastors broach modern topics each week. Those aged 18-34 (34%) and 35-49 (41%) are more likely than those 50-64 (25%) and 65 and older (17%) to say their pastor’s sermons address current issues every week. African American churchgoers (40%) are also among the most likely to say they hear culturally relevant issues in sermons every week.
Those at the largest churches, with 500 or more in worship attendance, are among the most likely to say their pastors rarely address current issues (13%).
While 80% of churchgoers believe pastors must touch on these topics as part of their role, some are more likely to see this as necessary.
Methodists (96%) and those who attend Restorationist Movement churches (89%) are among the most likely to believe pastors must address current issues to be doing their job. White churchgoers (82%) and those of other ethnicities who are not African American or Hispanic (87%) are also among the most likely to see this as a requirement.
Older churchgoers, those 65 and older, are among the most likely to disagree that pastors must address current issues as part of their job (22%).