Mainline protestant clergy often preach messages on contemporary social issues.
Leah D. Schade, with Amanda Wilson Harper and Wayne Thompson have been studying this topic for the last eight years. Their work to date includes engaging 7,000 preachers through four survey waves.
Top Social Issues in 2025
In their most recent survey (2025), nearly 6 in 10 respondents (59%) indicated that they include social issues in their preaching, teaching, or other ministry efforts at least 10 times a year. The highest ranked social issues in this wave are show below. The list is topped by (1) racial justice, diversity, equity, inclusion; (2) economic issues (debt, poverty, homelessness, etc.); (3) environment, climate change; (4) hunger/food insecurity; and (5) democracy issues (voting, political divisiveness, etc.).
Top Social Issues for 2026
In the 2025 survey, respondents were invited to choose up to five topics they intend to address in the next 12 months. Seven topics were chosen by at least 30% of preachers:
- Economic issues, 53%
- Christian nationalism, 49%
- Immigration, 44%
- Environmental issues, 39%
- Racism, 38%
- LGBTQIA+ issues, 36%
- Hunger/food insecurity, 35%
So What?
As someone who has served local churches exclusively as an interim pastor in recent years, I was not surprised to learn that the researchers found that interim or short-term pastors were more likely to preach on social issues than any other group.
In my most recent 14 month interim experience, I preached on social issues significantly more than 10 times. Interestingly, the majority of my most popular sermons in that parish were messages about social issues.
I’m grateful for many recent opportunities to continue to grow in my ability to preach in contextually appropriate ways that address social issues, especially my year long experience as a Preaching Justice Fellow (2024-2025).
I would welcome hearing about your experience.
If you are a mainline preacher
- how often do you preach on social issues?
- what are the top three issues you are likely to preach on in 2026?
If you are a part of a local congregation affiliated with a mainline denomination
- how often does your pastor/do your pastors preach on social issues?
- what is the social issue you heard mentioned in a message most recently?
If you are a followed of the Way of Jesus who is part of a church not affiliated with a mainline denomination
- what (if any) role does preaching on social issues play in your congregation?
- if social issues are important, do the most frequently mentioned issues differ from those selected in the mainline?