By David Westall
Pastor, New Hope No. 2 Baptist Church in Cullman, Alabama
The number of professing Christians in the United States is rapidly decreasing and has fallen from about 80% of the U.S. population in 2007 to 62%, as reported in February 2025 by the Pew Research Center.
Media outlets and news articles have regularly reported this decline, with some suggesting the church has lost its way and others reporting that Christianity is dying out.
However, examination of this data reveals the number of dedicated Christians — those who regularly attend services and who pray daily — has remained consistent throughout the years studied.
Furthermore, the research conveys that dedicated Christians are significantly growing in their understanding of the Bible.
It should, therefore, be no surprise that Americans who do not regularly attend church and do not follow Jesus are no longer professing to be Christians as they once did.
Stronger believers
Imagine the news stories that would have reported the events described in John 6:60–71, when many of Jesus’ disciples turned away from following Him after He taught that He is the Bread of Life.
As evidenced in the Scriptures, many of them did not truly believe in Jesus and simply walked away when the teachings got hard, no longer professing faith in Him.
Yet a core group of 11 dedicated followers stayed. When Jesus asked if they too would leave, Peter showed their growing understanding of Jesus when he replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
A similar story is playing out in the modern American church as people who do not believe in Jesus are walking away from the church.
The National Congregations Study conducted an analysis of U.S. religion, collecting information from nationally representative samples of congregations for over 20 years. The NCS found that average congregation sizes across the United States have declined, as have the number of people in any way associated with religious congregations.
Overall, fewer people are attending church and fewer are participating in the life of a church. But noteworthy within the data is the fact that dedicated, regular church participants have seen no decrease over the 20 years.
Pew Research reveals that among Protestants, there was no meaningful change over the years for those who prayed daily, believed in God, believed in heaven and believed in hell (see table, left).
Other studies have found that the percentage of congregational members believing the Bible is the literal and inerrant word of God is significantly higher than what it was in 1998.
The biggest takeaway from the research is that people who do not regularly attend church are now reporting to have no religious affiliation, where in the past they proclaimed to be Christian.
Steadfast believers
As a pastor, I see this scenario frequently played out in the local church when new people attend service for a few weeks, then fall away.
Despite our best efforts to win them for Christ, they choose to join the growing number of people who now claim no religious affiliation.
However, the dedicated members of our church come to service week after week, worshipping the Lord, serving the needy and reaching the lost. They are steadfast, know the Bible and are committed to deepening their faith by getting to know Jesus more deeply each week.
It is this dedicated group, found in every church, that most accurately reflects the true number of Christians in the United States.
The best part of waking up
By Jay Hardwick
Tennessee’s Baptist and Reflector
You know the jingle: “The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup.” Folgers built its brand by depicting its coffee, or at least its aroma, as essential to any memorable morning routine. What’s your morning routine? How do you start your day?
In Mark 1:35, we see a glimpse of Jesus’ morning routine. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out and made His way to a deserted place; and there, He was praying.”
After a long day of ministry that stretched well into the night, what was the best part of waking up for Jesus? Time with God the Father. Jesus got up early and prayed, seeking the Father and hearing from Him through prayer. It seems if anyone could get a pass on building this discipline into their life it would be Jesus. After all, He is God. But what does Jesus’ example teach us about the importance of prayer in our lives?
- Prayer must be a daily priority.
- Prayer shapes us for
mission. - Prayer expresses dependence on the Father.
Ask, does your prayer life reflect a desire to experience a movement of God in your life and in the lives of your church, community and beyond?
What could happen if Baptists collectively and passionately followed Jesus’ example and started the day in prayer seeking the Father?
Prayer is essential to the depth of our Christian walk. The actual best part of waking up is spending time talking with our Heavenly Father. And He won’t mind if you bring your coffee.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Jay Hardwick is pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Nashville, and president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
“God is moving powerfully across our state through our Baptist Student Unions! Right now, over 800 students from across Mississippi have packed this place wall to wall, lifting high the name of Jesus. Excited to see what He continues to do!
Andy Brown on Facebook
Pastor of FBC Starkville, Mississippi
Forgiveness is one of the hardest things we’re called to do. We admire stories of incredible grace but forgiving others or even ourselves is often a struggle. Joseph’s story is a powerful example of what forgiveness looks like. Betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers, he endured years of hardship and injustice. Yet instead of holding onto bitterness, he forgave, trusting that God was at work even in his suffering.
Bill Wilks
Pastor of NorthPark Baptist Church in Trussville, Alabama
“Life is tough, but I believe God wants the best for us. Though life doesn’t come without trials, I believe that God’s plan is to give us hope and a future — a plan that always says ‘up and up’ again. … Put your hope in God and He will take you ‘up and up’ again.’”
Colton Dixon
singer-songwriter and musician (speaking about his song, “Up+UP,” which is based on Jeremiah 29:11)
It’s essential for the entire global church to recognize the role of every Christian believer in the Church as a witness for Christ, irrespective of their profession. We cannot rely solely on professional ministers or missionaries working independently to evangelize.
Joseph D’Souza
Archbishop and moderator of the Good Shepherd Church of India
Father, help us to be secure in who we are. Teach us to be steadfast in our calling, and in our role in the Kingdom. Father, some of us are readers, while some are writers. Some of us are ushers, while others are dancers. Father, allow us to see the glory in our gifts and abilities that you have given us so that we may freely offer them in the upbuilding of your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Vernet C. Nettles
Another Day’s Journey Morning Prayer (vcndailypray.com)
“The word “god” is generic, but the God of the Bible is anything but. So, be careful … just because we attach “God” to our argument to give it weight doesn’t mean we’re representing the mind and heart of the LORD God, our Creator and Savior, as revealed in Scripture. And if we’re not, we’re just false prophets of a false god like countless others … no matter how many are in our camp. Deception is real, and discernment matters.”
Larry Robertson
Pastor of Hilldale Baptist Church in Clarksville, Tennessee
Name your insecurity. Write it out. “I’m not _________ enough,” and fill in the blank.
Good enough.
Smart enough.
Pretty enough.
Then write, “In Christ, I am ________.”
Then write a new adjective.
Sufficient. Fully supplied. More than a conqueror.
I am because HE IS and I am in Him.
@jdgreear
J.D. Greear on X
