More people in the pews, more energy for programs, more funds to maintain the roof — these are all keys to survival for such small congregations, according to the latest Faith Communities Today report, released Jan. 4 by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. It finds that congregations with fewer than 100 in weekend attendance — the most vulnerable to collapse — rose to 58 percent in 2015, up from 49 percent five years ago. Yet the report is optimistically titled: “American Congregations 2015: Thriving and Surviving.” David Roozen, author of the report and retired director of the institute, wanted to highlight signs of hope in the research by asking about innovation, growth, and positive change, particularly in those very small churches.
