Home Christian News Lifeway Research: Patriotic Displays Common in July 4th Church Services

Lifeway Research: Patriotic Displays Common in July 4th Church Services

For each of the possible worship service changes, pastors 65 and older and those in the South are among the most likely to say their churches make that change.

Pastors at larger churches, those with attendance of 250 or more, are among the most likely to say their worship services the week of July 4th include recognizing those with family currently serving in the armed forces (68%), living veterans (66%) and families who have lost loved ones in service to our country (63%). Meanwhile, smaller church pastors, those with fewer than 50 in attendance (60%) and those with 50 to 99 (61%), are among the most likely to say their worship service changes include special music honoring America.

Younger pastors, 18- to 44-year-olds, (23%) are among the most likely to say their worship services the week of July 4th are no different from other weeks. Additionally, Restorationist movement pastors (31%) are more likely to make no changes than Baptist (12%), Methodist (12%), Pentecostal (10%) and non-denominational pastors (8%).

Year-Round Flag Display

Apart from any patriotic holidays, two-thirds of U.S. Protestant pastors see nothing wrong with flying the U.S. flag in their church all year long. Lifeway Research found 67% say it’s appropriate for a church to display the American flag in worship services throughout the year. Another 28% disagree, and 5% aren’t sure.

The share of those in favor of year-round flag flying in services is down slightly from the 74% who supported such displays in the 2016 Lifeway Research study.

“Some denominations offer specific guidance regarding displaying the American flag, but most congregations decide on their own whether it’s present,” McConnell said. “Because a national flag is a symbol, it often means many different things to different people. So, discussions around the reason for its presence in many churches can be just as diverse.”

Generational and educational divides are evident again, as pastors 65 and older (81%) and those with no college degree (79%) are among the most likely to see year-round American flag displays as acceptable.

Love of Country or Love of God?

While most churches are comfortable incorporating patriotic elements into their buildings and worship services, some U.S. Protestant pastors worry their congregations may be taking things too far. Almost 2 in 5 (38%) say their congregation’s love for America sometimes seems greater than their love for God. Almost 3 in 5 (59%) disagree, and 3% aren’t sure.

That marks a significant decline from 2016 when most pastors (53%) expressed worry their congregation occasionally had more devotion toward their country than God.