It’s not exactly groundbreaking, but it does support conventional wisdom. A study of U.S. churchgoers examined reasons some give for skipping church services.

Whether or not they attend is based on… well, whether there’s weather or not.

A whopping 77% say that they skip out on attending church at least once a year, if not many times a year, due to weather. 43% have stayed home simply because it’s raining. The weather plays a role in the second most common reason for skipping out – when it’s particularly nice weather. 55% will take advantage of a Sunday morning away from the pews to enjoy an outdoor activity when the weather is pleasant.

To round out the survey, 54% have passed on church due to getting some extra sleep, 50% to meet a friend or group of friends, and 42% to watch a favorite team or sporting event.

But without a doubt, weather is the primary shaper of attendance.

Again, not particularly eye opening.

But it will make church leaders a bit more weather aware.

James Emery White

Sources

Aaron Earls, “Weather Most Likely Reason for Churchgoers Skipping Services,” Lifeway Research, July 12, 2023, read online.

Weather or Not

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