Views from the Pews: How 25,000 church attendees describe post-pandemic congregational life.

Five years after the pandemic, how are church attenders perceiving and understanding church life and the changes in this reality? How have their experiences of corporate worship changed compared to pre-pandemic? What are the routines and rituals of those who worship virtually?  This paper explores these and other questions using survey data from 25,000 attenders gathered in fall 2024. While much is known about how congregations have fared post- pandemic, little research has focused on the people currently occupying the pews, whether in-person or virtually. This analysis explores the different perceptions of those joining in the past 5 years, compared to long-timers, discusses the challenge of multiple church loyalties, and explores the commitment patterns of those who only attend in-person, hybrid attenders, and those who attend entirely online. It offers a unique look at a segment of congregational life that is seldom explored but is essential for organizational flourishing.