How Pastors Can Read and Use Research for Church Revitalization

This is an introductory article to help you begin to think in a way that will enhance your ability to understand research.

When most pastors hear the word research, they think of thick books, complicated charts, and long lists of statistics: Charts, graphs, tables, numbers! That can feel far removed from the daily grind of shepherding God’s people. Yet much of the conversation about church revitalization is filled with data—percentages, surveys, and trends. If we ignore those numbers, we risk missing valuable insights that can help us shepherd more wisely.

The good news? Although research can be very complex and multi-layered, you don’t need to be a statistician to benefit from research. With a few simple tools, you can read studies in a way that brings clarity, not confusion. Think of research like a stethoscope—it doesn’t cure the patient, but it helps the doctor listen more carefully. In the same way, research won’t replace the Word of God or the work of the Spirit, but it can help pastors diagnose challenges and see opportunities.

Although the following tips will not make you a master statistical analyzer, I will provide a few pointers on how to read research with a pastor’s eye.

1. Look for the Big Picture, Not Just the Numbers

Research often opens with a striking statistic. For example, one study notes that 80–85% of churches in America are plateaued or declining . At first, that number can feel overwhelming. But don’t get lost in the decimals.

Ask yourself: What is the big story this number is telling?

• Big picture: Most churches are struggling.

• Application: You are not alone in your challenges. Your church is not a unique failure. You are part of a much larger reality that many pastors face.

2. Pay Attention to Trends, Not Just Snapshots

Statistics by themselves can sound cold. But research is most useful when it shows a trend. For instance, data revealed that from 2007–2012, only 27% of Southern Baptist churches experienced growth .

That tells us decline is not a momentary blip—it’s a steady direction.

• Trend: Churches often decline gradually, almost unnoticed.

• Application: Leaders need to act early, not wait until crisis. Revitalization is harder when decline has been ignored for decades.

3. Notice Limitations and Biases

Church research often relies on pastors and members reporting their own numbers. But self-reporting can be inflated. Sometimes it’s unintentional, and sometimes it’s pride. One study notes that this makes numbers less than exact .

That doesn’t mean research is useless—it just means we should see it as an estimate.

• Takeaway: Don’t let pride or shame about your numbers keep you from honest evaluation. You can’t fix what you refuse to face.

4. Translate Findings into Ministry Language

Once you grasp the meaning of research, connect it directly to ministry.

For example:

• Research shows that evangelism is often the lowest priority in declining churches .

• Ministry translation: Build a culture where members are comfortable sharing Christ with friends and family.

Another finding: churches that fail to disciple new believers see them slip away within 1–2 years .

• Ministry translation: Don’t just count baptisms—make disciples who stay.

5. Let Scripture Anchor the Data

Data gives us context. The Bible gives us authority. Acts 2 describes the early church as worshiping, evangelizing, learning, and loving . Those four marks—sometimes summarized as WELL—provide a balanced pattern of church health.

Research often confirms this truth. For example, when churches overemphasize fellowship but neglect evangelism, they tend to plateau .

• Takeaway: Use research as a flashlight, but let Scripture remain your map.

Research as a Pastoral Tool

Research is not meant to intimidate or overwhelm. It is simply another tool in the pastor’s toolkit. Statistics help us see patterns, trends, and blind spots that we might otherwise miss. But numbers alone don’t breathe life into the church. Only the Spirit of God working through the Word of God can do that.

Think of research like an X-ray: it reveals what is beneath the surface. It shows fractures and weaknesses. But the treatment still comes from the Great Physician and the faithful shepherding of His under-shepherds.

As pastors, we don’t need to master statistics. We just need to learn how to ask the right questions, see the big picture, and apply what we learn in light of Scripture.

👉 Coming Next in This Series: Breaking Down the Research on Evangelism in Revitalizing Churches (Why “Oikos” Still Works Today).