A newly released report from Lifeway Research is raising urgent questions for church leaders, revealing that millions of self-identified churchgoers may be drifting theologically-even while remaining loosely connected to church life.
The Infrequent Churchgoers 2025 Report finds that those attending church just once or twice a month hold significantly weaker convictions on core Christian beliefs, highlighting what researchers describe as a growing "discipleship gap" within congregations.
Among the most striking findings: 56% of infrequent churchgoers say attendance is not a reliable measure of Christian commitment, and nearly two-thirds believe worshipping alone or with family can replace gathering with a local church.
This shift reflects more than changing habits-it signals a redefinition of what it means to follow Jesus in community.
The report also reveals a consistent pattern: the less frequently people attend church, the less strongly they affirm historic Christian doctrine. Compared to weekly attendees, infrequent churchgoers are:
- Less likely to strongly affirm the Bible as the highest authority (52% vs. 76%)
- Less likely to believe in the full accuracy of Scripture (46% vs. 69%)
- More likely to view Jesus as merely a great teacher rather than God (51% vs. 28%)
Even when agreement exists on paper, conviction is often weaker. While most infrequent attendees say they are satisfied in their relationship with God, fewer express strong confidence compared to regular attenders.
The implications extend beyond theology into everyday Christian living. Infrequent attendees are also less likely to strongly affirm traditional biblical teachings on ethics, marriage, and morality-suggesting that reduced engagement with the church community correlates with broader shifts in worldview.
"This relationship between lack of attendance and theological positions should sound an alarm," said Lifeway statistician Daniel Price, noting that increasing attendance alone is not enough-but intentional discipleship is critical.
The study, based on a nationally representative survey of 1,200 American Protestant churchgoers conducted in September 2025, defines "infrequent churchgoers" as those attending once or twice a month.
For pastors and ministry leaders, the findings point to a deeper challenge than declining attendance numbers. The issue is not merely who is showing up-but what is being formed in those who do.
Rather than signaling disengagement alone, the report suggests a growing normalization of "partial belonging"-where individuals maintain a Christian identity without deep theological conviction or consistent communal participation.
As churches navigate a rapidly shifting cultural landscape, the message of the study is clear: the future of the church may hinge not on attracting crowds, but on cultivating conviction.
