U.S. Religion More Diverse, Worship More Contemporary

NEW YORK, March 13 (RNS) -- Candles and incense are on the wane in America's religious congregations, while the electric guitar and drums are gaining popularity -- and causing more dissension -- in the country's houses of worship, a new study shows.

The sweeping study of 41 religious denominations by Hartford Seminary found that churches and synagogues that embrace contemporary worship styles are also the most likely to increase their membership roles, but the transition is usually not without a struggle.

"Congregations that seek to change their style of worship have to pay the price of conflict," said Hartford researcher David Roozen, one of the principle authors of the "Faith Communities Today" study, released Tuesday.

The five-year project presents one of the most comprehensive looks inside America's houses of worship to date. The study found a more diverse religious makeup with once-nontraditional religious groups such as the Mormons and Muslims outpacing the growth of Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Protestants.

Organizers say the project represents 90 percent of all churches, synagogues and mosques in the country, and is the closest thing to a religious census in the United States today. The study is sweeping in its depth, including everyone from Baha'is to Baptists, evangelicals to Episcopalians.

Among the report's major findings:

Half of religious congregations have fewer than 100 "regular participating adults," and 88 percent have fewer than 350.

Just over half of all congregations -- 52 percent -- are located in rural areas, while only a quarter are located in urban areas.

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