THE Doors of the Church Are Still Open: Black Church attendance decline persisted past the pandemic

(TSN): A decline in church attendance accelerated in America during the pandemic more than before. Within the Black community, like others there was a rise in online service participation. Some preferred the convenience of the virtual experience and continued after social distancing restrictions were fully lifted.

Jason Oliver Evans is a PhD candidate in the religious studies department at the University of Virginia, said among African Americans the decline is at a slower pace than their white, Protestant counterparts.”

The expected increase after the nation transitioned back to post-pandemic norms lagged. Lower church attendance has in some cases affected offerings and programs to support the community.

Pew Reasearch data from 2023 found a significant attendance drop among Black Protestants that is unmatched by any other major religious group. The number of Black Protestants who say they attend services monthly fell from 61% in 2019 to 46% that year, and they are the only group in which more than half (54%) attend services virtually. But, several shown Blacks attend church and pray more regularly than any bother groups

Online service says singer and evangelist Dorinda Clark Cole is for people who are immobile but as long as your feet are working, and the doors. of the church are open, Christians should attend in person.
At the Reclaiming Our Joy event where she was the guest speaker, she contended that staying connected to the local church is a component of spiritual growth.

The event hosted by First Baptist Church of Manassa, VA was an effort to reinvigorate the flock and draw others to return to worship.