Lisa Cannon Green

NASHVILLE (BP) -- No sabbatical. No help with counseling. No clear picture of what's expected. In a new study, hundreds of former senior pastors say these were the crucial elements missing from the final churches they led before quitting the pastorate. The study by LifeWay Research points to ways churches can encourage pastors to stay in the ministry, said Ed Stetzer, executive director of the research organization.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- When Americans make New Year's resolutions, a better relationship with God ranks almost as high as better health, according to a study by LifeWay Research. And for many groups, faith actually outranks health. Older Americans, African Americans, Hispanics and Christians are all more likely to say they've made resolutions about God than about health. Overall, 57 percent of Americans report making health-related New Year's resolutions in the ...

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Eight years ago, Becky Loyd swallowed her fear and climbed onto a plane bound for Moldova. Because of that decision, she'll spend this Christmas season delivering slippers, pajamas and hope to hundreds of abandoned children. And because of that decision, two brothers 5,000 miles away have begun to call her "mom."

NASHVILLE (BP) -- America is launching new Protestant churches faster than it loses old ones, attracting many people who previously didn't attend anywhere, new LifeWay Research studies show. More than 4,000 new churches opened their doors in 2014, outpacing the 3,700 that closed, according to estimates from the Nashville-based research organization based on input from 34 denominational statisticians.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Many women with unplanned pregnancies go silently from the church pew to the abortion clinic, convinced the church would gossip rather than help, a study released today (Nov. 23) by LifeWay Research shows. More than 4 in 10 women who have had an abortion were churchgoers when they ended a pregnancy, researchers found in a survey sponsored by Care Net, a nonprofit organization supporting more than 1,100 pregnancy centers across North America. The study features data from a survey conducted May 6-13.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- The National Association of Evangelicals and LifeWay Research released an evangelical beliefs research definition Nov. 19 for accurate and consistent use among researchers. NAE initiated development of the research definition more than two years ago. In partnership with LifeWay Research, the definition was crafted, reviewed and tested for validity.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Before a divorce, churchgoers in troubled marriages look a lot like their happily married counterparts at church --participating, serving and leading at similar rates, a new study shows. After a divorce, the differences can be stark. Twenty percent have dropped out of church entirely. In many cases, their children ...

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Protestant pastors are increasingly  polarized about Islam, with a growing share labeling the Muslim faith violent while a sharply rising minority calls it spiritually good, a new study shows. Although a majority considers Islam dangerous, a small but increasing segment believes Islam is similar to Christianity, according to a new survey by LifeWay Research.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Life didn't just happen, most Americans say -- and a surprising number of nonreligious people agree, a newly released study says. More than 4 in 10 of the nonreligious believe physics and humanity point to a creator, LifeWay Research finds. A third say human morality indicates a creator who defines right and wrong. The study, released today (Oct. 7), is based on a survey taken ...

NASHVILLE (BP) -- El papa Francisco está impulsando la reputación de la iglesia católica entre los pastores protestantes en EE.UU., muestra un nuevo estudio. Casi 4 de cada 10 dicen que el papa, conocido por su humildad e interés por los pobres, ha tenido un impacto positivo en su opinión de la iglesia católica, detecta LifeWay Research. Casi dos tercios ven al papa Francisco como un cristiano genuino y un "hermano en Cristo."