A new study from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research has revealed that median worship attendance in American congregations has increased for the first time in 25 years. The report, based on a survey of leaders from 7,453 congregations conducted between September and December 2025, shows that the median-sized congregation now has 70 adult attendees, up from 60 in previous years.
Signs of Recovery and Renewed Optimism
Alison Norton, co-director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, described the findings as cautiously optimistic. Speaking at the Religion News Association conference in Atlanta, she noted that the data tells a story of resilience and recalibration. The report highlights recovery and renewal across a range of indicators, including attendance, volunteering, and clergy morale.
Attendance Trends
Median in-person attendance had plummeted from 137 in 2000 to just 45 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current figure of 70 represents a modest but significant rebound. Scott Thumma, director of the institute, expressed surprise at the uptick, stating that researchers had anticipated continued decline. He added that this is the first positive gain in median attendance in a quarter-century.
Catholic and Orthodox congregations reported the highest median attendance at 200, partly due to fewer parishes. Evangelical congregations averaged 75 worshippers, while Mainline Protestant churches had a median of 50. Just under half of congregations (43%) reported growth of at least 5%, while 46% declined by that margin. The rest remained stable.
Volunteerism and Clergy Morale
Beyond attendance, the study found increases in volunteer participation and a decrease in the number of clergy considering leaving ministry. Thumma attributed this to improved congregational wellbeing, noting that more volunteers and positive trends naturally boost clergy spirits.
Financial Giving Rises
Giving has also increased, largely due to the rise of online donations. Median congregational income grew from $120,000 in 2020 to $205,000 in 2025. The proportion of congregations offering online giving rose from 58% to 76% over the same period. Online donations now account for about 40% of revenue. Evangelical and non-Christian congregations were most likely to report surpluses, while Mainline churches often faced deficits. However, expenses for insurance and building maintenance have also risen.
Adaptation, Not Revival
Researchers caution that the growth does not signal a religious revival. The longer-term decline remains, but congregations appear to have moved beyond survival mode. Charissa Mikoski, assistant professor at the institute, emphasized that the changes reflect adaptation and experimentation rather than mere recovery. The pandemic acted as a wake-up call, forcing churches to innovate and plan for the future.
The Hartford Institute plans a major survey in 2030 to track whether these trends continue. For now, the findings offer a glimmer of hope for congregations navigating a challenging landscape.
