Geographic Distance and Church Attendance and Dropout

Executive summary

Geographic distance consistently predicts lower church attendance frequency, with commutes exceeding 15-20 minutes associated with reduced participation across multiple studies. Baylor University research confirms that people living more than 15 minutes from their place of worship attend less often than those within 5 minutes, and commutes of 20-30 minutes pose significant barriers for busy adults. While belonging to a nearby congregation boosts attendance frequency, the relationship is moderate...