Lifeway Research identifies shifts in Protestant worship and diversity

Research from Lifeway Research indicates shifting trends within U.S. Protestant congregations regarding worship structure and racial diversity.

Regarding worship styles, younger churchgoers are significantly more likely to desire increased liturgy and structure. Among Protestants aged 18 to 29, 18% expressed a desire for more liturgical elements, such as set prayers and formal patterns, compared to 9% of those aged 50 and older. Satisfaction levels also vary by age, with younger worshippers reporting lower contentment with current liturgical amounts than older generations.

On the subject of racial diversity, data shows that while congregations are becoming more ethnically diverse, pastors are less likely to prioritize racial reconciliation or diversity as a formal goal. In 2013, 86% of pastors reported their church had one primary racial group; that figure has trended downward to approximately 77% in recent years. However, most congregations still fall short of the multi-ethnic threshold, defined as a setting where no single ethnic group exceeds 80% of the population.