According to a Pew Research Center report, religion is gaining influence in American life. More specifically, there was a tremendous increase in the percentage of survey respondents who believed religion was gaining influence in American life in 2025 when compared to 2024 and also when compared to recent years.
Over the most recent one year period, the percentage of respondents who believed religion is gaining influence in American life rose from 18% to 31%. The 31% number is the highest in 15 years.
So What?
Religion has become a particularly prominent and widely discussed topic. Outside of the period following 9/11, I can’t recall another time when public interest in religion has been this sustained and visible.
I’m curious how this shift may be showing up in your own context and congregation.
- How do your virtual and in-person visitor numbers in 2025 compare with those in 2024 and 2023?
- Are there certain political (though not partisan) issues that seem especially resonant or particularly contentious when addressed from the pulpit?
- How might your congregation build upon the increasing influence of religion in American life over the next 3 to 6 months?