As Americans celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, half of pastors say their churches will join in the festivities.
According to a Lifeway Research study, 50 percent of US Protestant pastors believe their church should do something special to commemorate the country’s special birthday this year, including 16 percent who strongly agree. Slightly fewer (47%) disagree, and 3 percent aren’t sure.
The 250th anniversary celebration comes at a time when a decreasing percentage of pastors believe the worship service over the Independence Day weekend should include patriotic elements.
Almost half of US Protestant pastors (45%) say it’s important to incorporate patriotic elements into worship services the week of July 4, including 16 percent who strongly agree. A slight majority (53%) disagree, while 2 percent aren’t sure.
The percentage of pastors who feel this patriotic pressure is decreasing. In a 2021 Lifeway Research study, 56 percent felt those elements were important. Three in five (61%) said so in a 2016 study.
“Scripture teaches that Christ’s followers should give honor and respect to governing authorities and fulfill unpleasant duties such as paying taxes and tolls (Romans 13),” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “But pastors are split on whether such honor has a place in a church service that is normally reserved for worshiping God alone.”
According to the most recent study, older pastors are more likely to see the importance of patriotic elements in the worship service than their younger counterparts. More than 3 in 5 pastors 65 and older (63%) say those aspects should be included during church services the week of Independence Day, compared to 49 percent of 55-to-64-year-old pastors, 40 percent of those 45–54, and 29 percent of pastors 44 and younger.
Denominationally, Pentecostals (64%), Baptists (53%), Methodists (49%), holiness pastors (48%) and those at nondenominational congregations (47%) are more likely than Lutheran (32%) or Presbyterian/Reformed (29%) churches to include patriotic elements in their service.
Meanwhile, churches in urban areas (54%) are more likely than rural ones (45%) to disagree on celebrating America during the worship service.
Older pastors are more likely to consider a special commemoration of the country’s 250th birthday. Those 65 and older (62%) and 55–64 (56%) are more likely than those 45–54 (41%) and 18–44 (38%) to say their congregation should do something special this year.
If pastors are going to make changes or additions to their worship service during the Fourth of July weekend, it will most likely include honoring individuals who are serving or have served in the military and their families.
Around 3 in 5 US Protestant pastors say they recognize living veterans (62%) or recognize those with family currently serving in the armed forces (59%). Most say they include special music honoring America (55%) or recognize families who have lost loved ones in service to our country (51%).
Fewer say their congregation includes other special ceremonies to honor America (28%) or other changes to the service (11%).
Only 15 percent say they don’t do any of these, and their worship service the week of July 4 is no different from other weeks. Less than 1 percent aren’t sure.
“While fewer pastors say it is important to incorporate patriotic elements into worship services the week of July 4, most still do something,” McConnell said. “For churches with something special for July 4 during their worship service, more focus is on people within the congregation who have helped our country rather than a focus on the country itself.”
Some pastors worry the people of their church love the nation more than God, though the percentage of pastors with that concern is shrinking.
Currently, 30 percent of pastors say their congregation’s love for America sometimes seems greater than their love for God, including 8 percent who strongly agree. Around 7 in 10 (69%) disagree, and 1 percent aren’t sure.
This has become less of a concern for pastors over the past decade. In 2016, 53 percent expressed this reservation. Today, it’s 30 percent.
Pastors less likely to include patriotic elements in their services are often among those most likely to worry about the levels of national love among their congregants.
Younger pastors, those under 45 (37%), are more likely than older pastors, those 65 and older (25%), to agree their church’s love for America sometimes seems to rival their love for God.
Pastors at the smallest churches, fewer than 50 in attendance (26%), are among the least likely to worry their congregation’s love for America sometimes seems greater than their love for God.
