Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Since the start of the pandemic, in-person church attendance dropped a staggering 45% nationwide, according to an ABC analysis of churches across more t
han 3,000 U.S. counties from cellular phone data provided by Safegraph."The phenomenon of 'pancake church' thrived during the pandemic -- eat pancakes and watch church on TV," said Dr. Brent Taylor, senior pastor at First Baptist Church at The Fields in Carrollton, Texas.But church leaders suggest that for most, all-virtual services are not sustainable in the long term, because the current situation is draining churches financially and dampening the experience for many.
"We don't have a playbook here, we don't have a precedent," said Dr. Terence Rhone, national director of pulmonology for the Care More Health Plan and pastor of Mt. Sinai Church of God in Christ near Los Angeles. While some churches are now experiencing more of their parishioners returning to the pews, others have had no choice but to close their doors permanently.
"I am seeing pastors quitting ministry because they are exhausted and tired of political fights," said Taylor.For those seeking to return to in-person services, new variant-fueled surges are compelling religious leaders to evaluate how to gather safely. Some worship leaders have implemented mandate masks, social distancing and limits on the number of people who can attend in-person.
"Church is a reminder of people that have died because you don't see them next to you in the pew," said Dr. Green, CEO of Family Christian Health Center in Harvey, Illinois.
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