Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations

Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations is a five-year research project funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and led by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. This expansive initiative focuses on collecting and disseminating data about the potential long-term implications the pandemic might have on religious life across the United States.

Through an online hub, congregational and denominational leaders, religious scholars, and the general public can access a curated repository of resources, tools, and guidance drawn from research and cross-denominational partners. The project gathers both nationally representative surveys and detailed ethnographic case studies to understand how religious congregations are changing and adapting in the wake of COVID-19. Clergy, scholars, and the wider public can access the findings freely, and the project welcomes involvement from church leaders, denominational executives, and academic researchers exploring religious realities during and after the pandemic.

The project aims to equip and support communities by providing practical tools and resources, ensuring that these institutions thrive amid and beyond COVID-19