News

New study shows contemporary changes growing in churches

March 15, 2004

America's Protestant churches have experienced a significant increase in contemporary worship styles over the last five years, according to Agape Press.

A newly released study from Ellison Research reveals the typical church service is increasingly modernized and diversified as more churches incorporate non-traditional music, diverse styles of worship, and modern technologies.

Ministers who answered the survey were asked about changes in the overall worship style of their church over the past five years. Only 5 percent said their worship had become more traditional. Some 44 percent reported no change. But 36 percent said their worship had become a little more contemporary and 15 percent said their churches had moved in a much more contemporary direction.

In general, the study found that those churches moving toward more contemporary worship were larger churches and churches led by younger ministers. Pentecostal churches were more than twice as likely to move in that direction.

One of the biggest changes in specific worship elements was in the use of electronic media. Five years ago only 5 percent of all Protestant churches used PowerPoint or similar computer graphics presentations at least once a month. Today 36 percent of churches use projected computer graphics.

Ministers reported similar increases in the use of video, including movie clips, music videos, or videos of well-known speakers during worship services. Five years ago only 4 percent of churches used video clips during services, but today that number has risen to 29 percent.

The use of praise and worship choruses during church worship services rose from 38 percent in 1999 to 74 percent today. The use of drama rose from 23 percent to 42 percent. The use of Christian rock, pop, or country music in worship rose from 9 percent to 25 percent.

Ron Sellers, president of Ellison research, noted that the greatest growth found was in worship elements that are used by fewer than half of the churches. "Drama, video clips, computer graphics, and pop music were among the fast-growing elements, with still a lot of room for growth," he said.

The study showed that the most popular elements of worship remain widely used: 95 percent of churches pass an offering basket, plate, or bag; 88 percent sing traditional hymns; 89 percent celebrate communion; 85 percent use a printed bulletin or order of service; and 78 percent use hymnals at least once a month. In fact the use of bulletins increased from 68 percent to 85 percent.

"Even traditional elements such as hymns, altar calls, and communion celebrations have become more common as churches diversify what they offer to worshipers," Sellers said.

With all the changes toward the contemporary one element of Protestant worship has remained the same according to the Ellison study - the length of the pastor's sermon. Today the average minister preaches for about 31 minutes, approximately the same as five years ago. Pentecostals preach the longest sermons, averaging 40 minutes, and Lutherans and Methodists preach the shortest sermons - around 20 minutes.