About half offer hotline or counseling services, and a third offer tutoring and substance-abuse programs. While these efforts are making major contributions to community welfare, the report says, many lack the infrastructure to provide social services on more than an informal basis. Houses of worship simply mirror the demographic composition of their zip codes. More than half of Latino and black congregations place high value on using their religious communities to preserve ethnic or racial heritage. Contrary to reports of a breakdown in denominational loyalty, nearly two-thirds of congregations maintain strong ties to their denominations.
Larger congregations have a greater proportion of young adults and of male worshippers.
Promotional campaigns energize members, but are not particularly effective in attracting new people. About one-third of congregations have plateaued, and about 19 percent have lost members. This study can help denominations help churches that are struggling, Mr. This says. While small churches can be fragile, Roozen says, small doesn't have to mean dwindling. Tons of congregations in the Northeast and Midwest have never been bigger than 100 members, and have an incredible resilience.