American Bible Society Report Examines Churchgoer Satisfaction Levels

The American Bible Society has released the fifth installment of its “State of the Bible: USA 2026” report, which evaluates how effectively U.S. churches support the spiritual development of their congregants. Based on 2,649 interviews conducted in early 2026, the study highlights varying levels of satisfaction regarding biblical education, spiritual growth, and community service.

According to the findings, 43% of churchgoers reported being “very satisfied” with their church's efforts to help them understand the Bible, while 31% expressed satisfaction and 25% remained unsatisfied. Similar trends were observed regarding spiritual growth opportunities and the modeling of faith by pastors, with a majority of respondents expressing positive views. The report also noted that 50% of participants were “very satisfied” with the culture of service fostered by their congregations.

John Farquhar Plake, the report’s editor-in-chief, stated that the data reflects a generally positive trend in how churches equip members for their daily faith walks. The study suggests that when leaders actively connect Scripture to everyday life, it significantly impacts the spiritual engagement and growth of the congregation.