Study Shows Less than Half of Americans Attend Church at Christmas, But an Invitation Often Accepted

In a recently released study by Lifeway Research, it was learned that slightly less than half (47%) of U.S. adults say they usually attend a church service during the holiday season, while 48% say they do not, and 5% stated they were unsure.

“While church services draw more people in the Christmas season, their prime motivation isn’t unified,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, in the release. “The majority are drawn to celebrate the birth of Jesus, honoring Him as the Christ or promised Messiah. But others mostly join in because of the importance of family, their embrace of Christmas church tradition or to jumpstart Christmas vibes.”

However, what many Christians may not realize is that the study also showed that more than half of those who do not attend a Christmas service, would attend, if they were asked by someone they know. According to the study, most (56%) say they would likely attend church if someone they know invited them to attend with them at Christmastime, including 17% who are very likely.

Tim Enloe, evangelist representative to the AG General Presbytery, notes that within the Assemblies of God, since there is such a missions focus, sometimes people compartmentalize.

“We sometimes see missions as only for unknown peoples in faraway lands,” he says. “We forget about those who are nearby, maybe literally next door. An invitation to church is one of the easiest ways to give opportunity for a friend or loved one to have an encounter with Christ.”

Enloe notes that Christmastime invitations to church are much easier as they are non-confrontational and much more personal — and as the study seems to indicate, perhaps even hoped for.

“If someone is having any kind of spiritual awakening or crisis, many times that individual will readily accept an invitation to church at this time of year,” Enloe says. “And during the Christmas season, there often is a heightened level of crisis for many, and just someone caring enough to invite them to church makes an impact. Even if a person says no, it’s one more signpost in their life pointing them to Christ as the Answer.”

However, invitations aren’t just potentially beneficial to the invitee, but there is great benefit for the inviter.

“Many people will never lead someone personally to the Lord, but they can be a part of others’ journeys to turning to Christ,” Enloe says. “When you invite someone to church, for Christmas or any time, you’ve been obedient. However, that step of obedience can lead to greater things — such as sharing your personal testimony about what God has done in your life or at the very least, simply opening the door to offering additional invitations to other events and special services taking place at your church throughout the year.”

Another observation Enloe makes is that when those invited respond to the gospel and accept Christ, they tend to be far more easily integrated into the church because they already have relationship with the person who invited them.

“Christmastime is a great opportunity to engage people with the gospel in a non-threatening manner,” Enloe says. “And if this study’s statistics hold true concerning those who currently don’t attend Christmas services, it seems that a huge percentage of people are simply just waiting to be asked . . . the question is, will you?”

To view Lifeway Research’s full study report, click here.