Florence, SC, May 13, 2025— In recent years, a variety of studies have commonly reported the value of clergy and places of worship for those who are religious and also battling isolation, loneliness, and other risk factors that can lead to mental illness. During Mental Health Awareness Month in May, ACS Technologies, a 45-year leader in church management software, market expertise, and data analysis, is affirming these findings with data from their ground-breaking American Beliefs Study: Religious Preferences and Practices that examined the theological beliefs of 15,000 Americans.
The Study and Loneliness
The study, originally conducted in 2013 and then repeated in 2017 and 2021, revealed valuable insights about the changing behaviors and social and moral attitudes and trends within communities of faith. Distilled into a series of nine unique reports, a surprising finding showed “warm and friendly encounters” to be as important or nearly as important as “celebration of the sacraments” and “quality sermons/homilies” when asked, “What do you look for when searching for a new parish?”
Terry Poplava, General Manager of ACST Catholic, a business of ACS Technologies, noted, “Parish hospitality became a real priority for many church leaders, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Social isolation was at an all-time high, which had a significant impact on mental health across populations. Once parishes were reopened, it became clear that simply keeping a greeter at the door or having friendly ushers was not enough. Church leaders had to rethink the foundational practices that support meaningful relationships when reaching the lost and lonely as well as how to foster ‘pro-connection cultures.’”
Early towns historically were developed around places of worship, as they were the hub for not only religious practices but also social gatherings, which innately created neighborhood connectedness and sense of belonging. With trends showing lower numbers of Mass attendees, and the American Beliefs Study additionally indicating that two-thirds of Americans are not involved in any faith community, it is no surprise that Americans are lacking the community and connection we were made for.
Importance of Connections
“We’re surrounded by digital ‘connections,’ but we lack the real relationships that parish communities are uniquely able to nurture for well being,” said Poplava. “It’s never been more important for parishes to better know and understand those who come in and out of their doors. Having a well-managed database is paramount in monitoring attendance, tracking preferred activities, and even giving. These are simple steps that can flag alarming changes in behavior. It is the role of both church leaders and parishioners to let people know that they’re not ‘just missed,’ but that their presence matters.”
All available reports in the American Beliefs Study series can be accessed for free here.
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