Pew survey: in-person worship now more popular than online worship

Friday, Jun. 16, 2023

(OSV News) – A new study indicates Americans are pleased with virtual religious services, but more prefer to attend in person now that the COVID-19 public health emergency has officially ended.

About a quarter of U.S. adults regularly watch religious services online, with 21 percent using apps or websites to aid Scripture reading, according to a report released June 2 by the Pew Research Center.

Pew surveyed more than 11,000 respondents in November 2022, well after the pandemic’s peak but before the U.S. government officially declared it over. Over half (57 percent) said they do not generally attend religious services, either in person or virtually.

Researchers said the online and television worship driven by COVID lockdowns remains popular with 25 percent of those surveyed. Two-thirds of those polled said they were “extremely” or “very satisfied” with the experience.

“When asked why they watch religious services online or on TV, many regular viewers cite multiple reasons,” Pew stated in a summary of the survey data. “But as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, convenience is the most commonly selected option – not fear of catching or spreading any illness.”

Worshippers who opt for a mix of in-person and online worship strongly favor the former by a margin of 76 percent to 11 percent. Yet respondents who attended in person expressed even greater enthusiasm for their experience, with 74 percent extremely or very satisfied with the sermons and 69 percent with service music.