A major study involving more than 24,000 Christian churchgoers in the United States has found an increase in church attendance five years after the pandemic.

The report was prepared by the organization Faith Communities Today as part of a project examining the impact of the pandemic on church communities. It is based on responses from believers representing more than 80 Christian denominations and offers a rare perspective on church life through the eyes of congregants rather than clergy, according to inVictory.

Around 64% of participants said they attend worship services at least once a week, while 21% reported that they now attend church more often than they did five years ago. More than 80% said their level of attendance had remained stable or had even increased, and only 15% reported a decline.

The study also revealed a noticeable influx of new people into churches after the pandemic. More than a third of respondents, 38%, said they had joined their current congregation within the past five years.

Online worship services remain an important part of church life, although most people still prefer attending in person. Around 75% of participants attend services primarily offline, while approximately 26% regularly participate online or combine both formats.

For many active churchgoers, faith even grew stronger during the pandemic. More than half, 55%, said their religious faith had become stronger, while 57% reported increased spirituality. Nearly half said they had developed a closer connection with their church and greater trust in its leadership and spiritual support.

The authors emphasise that the findings do not reflect the religious experience of all Americans because the survey mainly included active churchgoers. According to lead researcher Dr Scott Thumma, the pandemic became a factor that strengthened faith for many people, increased involvement in church life, and encouraged the search for new forms of spiritual practice.