State of the Church Research Reveals Key Leadership Challenges for Thriving Churches

Barna and Gloo’s State of the Church research reveals key trends in pastoring, politics, and leadership development.

New research from Gloo and Barna Group’s State of the Church initiative will help churches navigate today’s toughest challenges.

Designed to help pastors lead effectively, the research identifies obstacles and opportunities for fostering thriving churches in a polarized world.

Key Insights from State of the Church

  • Politics and Pastoring: Only 20% of pastors feel equipped to lead discussions on politics and civic engagement. Nearly half (45%) identified this as their greatest area of inadequacy. While partisan political activities can cause tax-related troubles for tax-exempt churches and congregational tension, pastors and leaders needn’t feel helpless. Enter “Can Our Church Get Political?“—a free download from Church Law & Tax. This resource offers ideas and ways churches can engage in the political arena and reinforce their congregants’ civic duties.
  • Measuring Success: 92% of pastors prioritize depth of engagement over church size. Yet only 8% see attendance numbers as an effective measure of success.
  • Burnout Among Younger Pastors: Leaders aged 44 and younger report higher levels of mental exhaustion and pressure compared to older peers.
  • Leadership Development: Half of pastors (49%) believe their churches under-prioritize developing the next generation of leaders.
  • Trust in Leadership: 54% of churched adults rated their trust in church leadership as a 9 or 10 out of 10.

What is State of the Church?

The State of the Church initiative is the largest church-wide research effort slated for 2025. It equips faith leaders with monthly updates on trends, free assessments, and community sentiment dashboards. The latest findings address pressing themes like political engagement, pastoral burnout, and succession planning.

David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group, highlighted the stakes for leaders. “Today’s polarized cultural climate and the ongoing strain of political division place unprecedented pressure on pastors striving to lead effectively in a changing world,” Kinnaman said. “These cultural headwinds drive burnout, underscoring the urgent need for tools like State of the Church to help pastors—especially young leaders—navigate complex issues and foster unity.”


Download your FREE copy of “Can Our Church Get Political?” for pastors and church leaders, alike.


Brad Hill, chief solutions officer at Gloo, emphasized the importance of equipping leaders to support their congregations. “This latest research highlights that pastors can foster whole-life flourishing without feeling compelled to address every cultural issue. Supporting leaders is crucial for the long-term health of the Church,” he said.

What’s next from State of the Church?

In December, Gloo and Barna will release further research on how Christians approach relationships and discipleship within their communities. This exclusive data will be available on Barna Access Plus, a subscription-based library offering insights tailored to church leaders.

For early access and additional resources, visit stateofthechurch.com.

To become a Church Law & Tax member, visit ChurchLawAndTax.com

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