December 29, 2025

The Burge Report: Who’s Really Watching Online Church?

26 minutes

Nearly five years after COVID-19 lockdowns, the research reveals surprising truths about how Americans engage with church online and what that means for pastors and ministry leaders.

While 91% of churches now livestream services, only about 14% of Americans watch weekly. Most online viewers are also in-person attenders, meaning livestreams tend to serve already-committed believers rather than reaching the unchurched. The dream of a large “online-only” congregation just doesn’t match the numbers. In this episode of the Burge Report, Ryan, Thom, and Sam give their key takeaways.

Online worship is supplemental, not a substitute. Attendance in person is still twice as common as online viewing.

Most online participants also attend in person. About 60% of weekly online viewers are regular churchgoers.

Younger generations aren’t tuning in. Digital natives born in the 2000s are no more likely to watch church online than those born in the 1980s.

Traditions matter. Black Protestants are the only major group with higher online than in-person attendance, while Catholics overwhelmingly reject online Mass.

Commitment correlates with presence. Online-only attenders are less devout overall, and livestream participation doesn’t lead to membership growth like in-person worship does.

The bottom line: livestreams are valuable tools, but real discipleship still happens when people gather, serve, and worship together in person.

Resources:

The One Year Bible

Tyndale House Publishers

Upward Running

Upward Sports

Ryan Burge

Church Answers Platinum Membership

FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

The Hope Initiative

Episode Sponsors:

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By Thom Rainer

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