Aaron Earls

Aaron Earls is a writer for LifeWay Christian Resources.

Survey shows most pastors oppose pot use, legalization

May 27, 2021 Aaron Earls

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As more Americans have access to legal marijuana, most U.S. Protestant pastors remain opposed to its use and legalization. In November 2020, five states approved marijuana legalization measures, including Mississippi, which became the first Southern state to approve medical marijuana. Now, 36 states have legalized it for medicinal purposes, including 15 states…

Lifeway summer camps will return

April 22, 2021 Aaron Earls

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After a year in which children and students experienced disruption and isolation, many churches are anticipating an exciting return to summer camp. And this year, Lifeway Christian Resources is implementing careful precautions to help keep COVID-19 at bay. “We know kids and students want to be together more than anything after spending…

U.S. Protestant pastors see gender change as immoral

March 25, 2021 Aaron Earls

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As legislatures in Washington, D.C. and across the country discuss issues surrounding individuals who identify as a gender different from their biological sex, a clear majority of U.S. Protestant pastors see such gender fluidity as morally wrong. In a study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research, around 3 in 4 Protestant pastors say identifying…

Survey shows more than half of pastors to vote for Trump

October 22, 2020 Aaron Earls

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Almost all Protestant pastors plan to participate in the 2020 election, but around a quarter still haven’t decided who will get their presidential vote. In the latest election survey, Nashville-based LifeWay Research found 98% of Protestant pastors in the U.S. say they plan to vote in the presidential election. When they cast…

Evangelicals pick Trump over Biden, but divides exist

October 8, 2020 Aaron Earls

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Evangelicals seem ready to cast their ballots in the 2020 election. Nine in 10 evangelicals by belief are registered to vote, and few are undecided about their presidential choice. A new survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research conducted Sept. 9-23 finds President Donald Trump with a sizable lead over Democratic nominee Joe Biden…

Few churches met in person for worship services in April

May 14, 2020 Aaron Earls

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As federal, state and local governments weigh relaxing stay-at-home guidelines, most churches continued to avoid gathering physically throughout April. Nine in 10 Protestant pastors say their congregations did not meet for an in-person worship service last month, according to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. A previous study from LifeWay Research…

Few churches met in person for worship services in April

May 14, 2020 Aaron Earls

Most U.S. churches won’t be meeting on Easter Sunday

April 9, 2020 Aaron Earls

NASHVILLE — The coronavirus outbreak has had ripple effects across the country, including in churches, according to a new study of pastors. Nashville-based LifeWay Research asked Protestant pastors how the pandemic has impacted their congregations and what their plans are for the near future. While nearly all pastors say their church held in-person worship services…

Livestreaming hasn’t been an option for some churches

March 26, 2020 Aaron Earls

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for groups during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak recommended no gatherings of more than 50 people for eight weeks. As churches scramble to make decisions on how to move forward, new research finds many congregations are not prepared to shift their services online….

Survey shows 50% of pastors see opioid abuse in church

December 5, 2019 Aaron Earls

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Like most U.S. pastors, Robby Gallaty knows someone who has been affected by opioid abuse. But unlike most pastors, Gallaty has personally suffered through addiction. Twenty years ago this month, Gallaty endured a near-fatal car accident. When he left the hospital, the club-bouncer-turned-church-leader took with him several prescriptions for painkillers. “My descent…