Summary
The United States may see 15,000 churches close this year, with more churches shutting down than opening. This change is happening as fewer Americans identify as religious, and more people turn to non-denominational megachurches.
Key Facts
- 15,000 U.S. churches could close this year, according to reports.
- Only a few thousand new churches are expected to open.
- 29% of Americans now identify as religiously unaffiliated, up from past years.
- Currently, 62% of Americans identify as Christians, down from 78% in 2007.
- Mainline Protestant denominations, like Methodist and Presbyterian, are experiencing most of the closures.
- Around 100,000 churches could close in the coming years, representing about a quarter of U.S. churches today.
- Evangelical megachurches are becoming more influential in American life and politics.
- Catholic churches are also declining, partly due to lawsuits related to priest abuse.
