Millions skipped church during pandemic. Will they return?

WALDOBORO, Maine (AP) — Churches, synagogues and mosques are returning to normal services as the pandemic recedes. But a looming question is how many worshippers will be returning. Religious leaders fear some of the millions who stayed home from places of worship during the pandemic won’t be coming back, hastening a slide in attendance. Nashville-based Lifeway Research, an evangelical research firm, said a survey of Protestants found that the vast majority plan to return to places of worship. But it found that some will be attending church less frequently and a small number came out of the pandemic in limbo without a church.