Barna Group Report Examines 20 Years of Trends in the Black Church

The Barna Group released "Trends in the Black Church" in 2026, a research report built on more than two decades of data collection. The report examines how Black congregations across the United States are changing and what challenges they face in the years ahead.

One of the report's central findings concerns spiritual identity. Black Christians are navigating faith in a post-pandemic era marked by declining church attendance among younger generations. Many young adults say they believe in God but do not see the traditional Black church as the place where they express that faith.

The report also addresses leadership transitions. Pastoral pipelines in many Black denominations are thinning, with fewer young men entering ministry. At the same time, women are taking on larger leadership roles in congregations, though formal ordination remains restricted in several major denominations.

Gentrification emerged as a significant pressure point. As historically Black neighborhoods change, some congregations have lost members who moved away and have struggled to connect with new residents. A number of churches have sold their buildings or relocated entirely.

Civic engagement remains a defining characteristic of the Black church. The report found that Black congregations are more likely than other faith communities to organize around voting, housing, and economic justice issues.

The report also notes the growing influence of Black immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean on American Black Christianity. These communities are joining denominations like the Church of God in Christ and the AME Zion Church, bringing theologically conservative and mission-focused perspectives that are reshaping the broader definition of Black evangelicalism.