₦airaland Forum

15,000 churches could close this year amid religious shift in U.S.

Russell Contreras

The U.S. could see an unprecedented 15,000 churches shut their doors this year, far more than the few thousand expected to open, according to denominational reports and church consultants.

Why it matters:
The unprecedented contraction, expected to continue over the next decade, risks leaving gaps in communities nationwide — particularly rural ones, where churches often are crucial providers of food aid, child care and disaster relief.

The big picture: The decline of traditional brick-and-mortar churches comes as a record number of Americans (29%) are identifying as religiously unaffiliated, and as 62% identify as Christians — down from 78% in 2007, according to the Pew Research Center.

At the same time, mostly non-denominational megachurches — and evangelical Christianity in general — are an increasing influence on American life, driven by charismatic leaders, sympathetic politicians and social media.

These colliding trends have shaken the nation's longtime religious footing: There are fewer and fewer communities built around local churches, but rising pressure from conservative citizens and government officials to inject more religion into public schools, settings and institutions.

By the numbers: The record number of church closings forecast this year stems from struggles many churches face — including retaining full-time pastors, said Thom Rainer, a former president of LifeWay Christian Resources, an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention that provides resources for churches.

In a widely shared Baptist Courier piece, Rainer — a consultant on church health — said that waves of church closings are coming, and that another 15,000 U.S. churches will move from full- to part-time time pastors.

The National Council of Churches estimates that 100,000 U.S. churches across denominations will close during the next several years, confirming Rainer's analysis.

That would amount to roughly a quarter of the nation's 350,000 to 400,000 churches today.
Zoom in: Mainline Protestant denominations such as Methodist, Presbyterian and Lutheran represent nearly all the church closings, said Ryan Burge, a political scientist who writes the "Graphs About Religion" Substack.

The closures mark a shift away from once-powerful denominations in the U.S. that brought people of diverse political views together, said Burge, author of the upcoming "The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us."

Burge said that as a result, many communities are left with empty church buildings that can be difficult to sell because they often are next to historic cemeteries.

The intrigue: The number of Catholic churches also appears to be declining, partly because of the continuing following from priest abuse lawsuits, said Andrew Chesnut, the Bishop Walter F. Sullivan chair in Catholic Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Baltimore's Catholic Archdiocese, the nation's oldest, is slashing its churches by about two-thirds, citing shrinking attendance and aging buildings, according to the AP.

"I think the only ones who have shown some dynamism lately on the American Christian landscape are these non-denominational, usually charismatic megachurches," Chesnut said.

Evangelical megachurches, however, tend to have fluid memberships despite their growing influence in Republican Party politics, Burge said.

"The large churches have a lot of churn. A lot of new people come in every year, but a lot of people leave too, because they never build strong and deep ties."

Their success is based on one or two leaders, and a death or scandal can damage or bring an end to that church, he said.

Megachurches could take membership hits in the future if younger Americans feel they're being forced to accept religion in public spaces, Chesnut predicted.

"I think evangelicals are going to pay the price for so closely hitching their wagon to MAGA," he said.

"If you're making kids pray in school, as I've learned anytime I make my kids do something, they'll do the opposite."

Go deeper: Americans continue to lose their religion as the GOP pushes it

Non-religious 'nones' are on the rise, study shows our lawmakers are more religious than we are.

https://www.axios.com/2025/10/03/us-churches-close-religious-shift-christians

"The large churches have a lot of churn. A lot of new people come in every year, but a lot of people leave too, because they never build strong and deep ties."
This is where the real problem and solution lay. If they are coming then the Word is still effective in bringing them to Christ but there's lack of capacity to nurture them from "babes in Christ " to become matured Christians.

The harvest is still plenty but many don't have full time elders to do the work full time and some elders on full time are being used by the devil to create scandals and problems that send people away from the church.

Baltimore's Catholic Archdiocese, the nation's oldest, is slashing its churches by about two-thirds, citing shrinking attendance and aging buildings, according to the AP.

FreeStuffsNG:
"The large churches have a lot of churn. A lot of new people come in every year, but a lot of people leave too, because they never build strong and deep ties."
This is where the real problem and solution lay. If they are coming then the Word is still effective in bringing them to Christ but there's lack of capacity to nurture them from "babes in Christ " to become matured Christians.

The harvest is still plenty but many don't have full time elders to do the work full time and some elders on full time are being used by the devil to create scandals and problems that send people away from the church.

It's well...the world needs new revivalist. People with the heart and doings of Jesus Christ .

Religion should completely be banned 🚫

Esp those head slamming people!

Who else noticed that nairaland has greatly improved? The dark mode feature is awesome. I have increased my offer, Seun let me know when you're ready to sell nairaland for #120million

madridguy:
Baltimore's Catholic Archdiocese, the nation's oldest, is slashing its churches by about two-thirds, citing shrinking attendance and aging buildings, according to the AP.

And how does is that your business as a muslim? Can't you face your religion and the pains it is inflicting on people?

FreeStuffsNG:
"The large churches have a lot of churn. A lot of new people come in every year, but a lot of people leave too, because they never build strong and deep ties."
This is where the real problem and solution lay. If they are coming then the Word is still effective in bringing them to Christ but there's lack of capacity to nurture them from "babes in Christ " to become matured Christians.

The harvest is still plenty but many don't have full time elders to do the work full time and some elders on full time are being used by the devil to create scandals and problems that send people away from the church.

Face your religion and the pains it is inflicting all around the world
It's not that difficult

It is prophesied in the Holy Bible. Many will eschew CHRIST JESUS. Closure of denominations does not translate to backsliding. Being a member of a denomination does not mean being born-again.

As we approach to the time of your 12th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, the antichrist, more people will abandon the faith and will be deceived by satan his sponsor.

Matthew 7:13-14 TPT
[13] Enter through the narrow gate because the wide gate and broad path is the way that leads to destruction—nearly everyone chooses that crowded road! [14] The narrow gate and the difficult way leads to eternal life—so few even find it!”

II Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV
[3] Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

Matthew 24:12 NKJV
[12] And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

II Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV
[1] But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: [2] For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, [4] traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

madridguy:
Baltimore's Catholic Archdiocese, the nation's oldest, is slashing its churches by about two-thirds, citing shrinking attendance and aging buildings, according to the AP.

It was prophesied in the Holy Bible. While we do evangelism, we are not alarmed at these happenings bros. Bother yourself with where you will spend eternity.

Elusive001:
It is prophesied in the Holy Bible. Many will eschew CHRIST JESUS. Closure of denominations does not translate to backsliding. Being a member of a denomination does not mean being born-again.

As we approach to the time of your 12th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, the antichrist, more people will abandon the faith and will be deceived by satan his sponsor.

Matthew 7:13-14 TPT
[13] Enter through the narrow gate because the wide gate and broad path is the way that leads to destruction—nearly everyone chooses that crowded road! [14] The narrow gate and the difficult way leads to eternal life—so few even find it!”

II Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV
[3] Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

Matthew 24:12 NKJV
[12] And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

II Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV
[1] But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: [2] For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, [4] traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

As Christians, we are not in the dark.

I thought someone said GenZs are returning to the churches when Charlie Kirk died?

Otem's words are coming to pass. Churches will be turned to research centers for science in his very words.

Hahaha. People wey carry religion come give us don dey discard am after them don use am serve their purpose finish. Religion was a means to an end after all.

Baltimore's Catholic Archdiocese, the nation's oldest, is slashing its churches by about two-thirds, citing shrinking attendance and aging buildings, according to the AP.

Nothing wey get beginning wey no get end

Church goers in USA been declining ever since corona happened..

I know it’s a matter of time, people will eventually understand the whole of this religion thing nah joke..

Man made ideology is been exposed day after day.....it's just a matter of time before most humans will understand that religion is mostly man made idea with man made doctrines to serve certain purposes to those that orchestrate and understand it. .

Any religion center should be closed permanently, they have caused more harm than good

Coming from a propaganda Chief. Radarada of the century

Elusive001:
It is prophesied in the Holy Bible. Many will eschew CHRIST JESUS. Closure of denominations does not translate to backsliding. Being a member of a denomination does not mean being born-again.

As we approach to the time of your 12th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, the antichrist, more people will abandon the faith and will be deceived by satan his sponsor.

Matthew 7:13-14 TPT
[13] Enter through the narrow gate because the wide gate and broad path is the way that leads to destruction—nearly everyone chooses that crowded road! [14] The narrow gate and the difficult way leads to eternal life—so few even find it!”

II Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV
[3] Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

Matthew 24:12 NKJV
[12] And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

II Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV
[1] But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: [2] For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, [4] traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

You don't know God better than anyone.....so stop spreading what's most likely propaganda.

Go deeper: Americans continue to lose their religion as the GOP pushes it

Religion and politics can never be separated.. They go hand in hand like a Siamese twins.....

More reason the Bible is the true word of God!

Knowledge will increase and the love of many will wax cold.

That's why I keep telling people the God is not in the churches neither is he in the mosques, God is inside you... If God is in the church or mosque, then that means he is not different from the idols we worshipped, because Osun and Ogun deities are in the shrines where people go to meet the whenever they want.. So if God is in the church, he is also a deity.

The Bible says don't you know that God does not live in any place made with the hands, that you are the temple of God!

Now, here's the thing... You have to know that God on a personal level. You have to have a knowledge of that your God... Instinctively!

You have to build a relationship with him and how can you do that..? Through his Words in the Bible!

You have to be able to sit down on your own and grow your relationship with your God through reading and studying the Bible alone!

That's when you can now call yourself a child of God which is greater than being an ordinary Christian...

Except churches that are not built on the rock; they would be swallowed by the gate of hell.

G0odharddick:
Religion should completely be banned 🚫

Esp those head slamming people!

Who else noticed that nairaland has greatly improved? The dark mode feature is awesome. I have increased my offer, Seun let me know when you're ready to sell nairaland for #120million

Stop confusing Christianity with religion...Jesus Christ is against turning his teachings into religion...Christianity is a way of life and NOT a religiom, the best you understand this the better for your mental health.

Dey whine yourself. Person wey carry lie give you tell you say one day you go realize na lie e dey lie. How is that a prophecy? No be common sense be that? People wey write Bible and Quran know say na lie them dey write and one day people go read in between the lines and see the lies. So them come preemptively predict say people go see the lies.

Elusive001:
It is prophesied in the Holy Bible. Many will eschew CHRIST JESUS. Closure of denominations does not translate to backsliding. Being a member of a denomination does not mean being born-again.

As we approach to the time of your 12th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, the antichrist, more people will abandon the faith and will be deceived by satan his sponsor.

Matthew 7:13-14 TPT
[13] Enter through the narrow gate because the wide gate and broad path is the way that leads to destruction—nearly everyone chooses that crowded road! [14] The narrow gate and the difficult way leads to eternal life—so few even find it!”

II Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV
[3] Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

Matthew 24:12 NKJV
[12] And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

II Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV
[1] But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: [2] For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, [4] traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

AntiChristian:
I thought someone said GenZs are returning to the churches when Charlie Kirk died?

They won't go to the mosque either. Our generation is realizing that religion is a scam.

It already happened in the UK and all over Europe. No lie will last forever. Science labs is taking over gradually.

JetApartment:
Stop confusing Christianity with religion...Jesus Christ is against turning his teachings into religion.

Where in my comment did I mention Christianity?

I specifically said religion should be banned. Where you see Christianity for my comment?

Church buildings are sold every week and converted to pubs in the U.K. The church business is crashing everyday

G0odharddick:
Where in my comment did I mention Christianity?

I specifically said religion should be banned. Where you see Christianity for my comment?

You don't have to mention Christianity, your comment proved you are referring to Christians, The post is about Christianity and not Islam, and your comment on religion on a Christian thread...So, I am using my comment to educate all that confuses Christianity as a religion.

G0odharddick:
Religion should completely be banned 🚫

Esp those head slamming people!

Who else noticed that nairaland has greatly improved? The dark mode feature is awesome. I have increased my offer, Seun let me know when you're ready to sell nairaland for #120million

This is exactly what happens when a nation becomes less religious. They start to reduce people's freedoms. They begin to ban religion and opposing views. We have seen it in China, Russia, and North Korea. Now it is happening in Europe.

The freedoms you presently enjoy, from freedom of speech to freedom of worship to ending slavry, were all fought for and given to the world by Christian nations.