
What are American churchgoers being taught from the pulpit today about what occurs after loss of life? Clearly one thing is extremely amiss. A 2025 examine by Dr. George Barna and Dr. David Closson reveals the dire state of affairs.
Solely 36% appropriately affirm: “You’ll go to Heaven in case you repent of sin and settle for Christ.” The remainder of American churchgoers are fully misguided relating to who goes to Heaven.
The Household Analysis Council launched the examine a number of months in the past. And here’s what folks within the pew truly assume:
- “Everybody goes to Heaven” (14%).
- “Everyone seems to be purified, then goes to Heaven” (12%).
- “Do not know” (12%).
- “You go to Heaven in case you did good deeds” (11%).
- “You stop to exist” (7%).
- “You might be reincarnated” (7%).
- “You go to Hell” (2%).
Why are two-thirds of churchgoers fallacious about one thing so foundational to Christianity? In case your pastor isn’t preaching the Gospel, you must swap to a church the place the reality of Scripture is being taught.
Half of American churchgoers (49%) both have no idea who goes to Heaven, or imagine that everybody goes to Heaven, or assume that everybody is purified after which goes to Heaven. These statistics are surprising! And bear in mind, these are individuals who truly attend church!
The largest drawback is that many pastors will not be firmly rooting believers within the Gospel and the reality of Scripture. How else are you able to account for this sorry state of affairs amongst American churchgoers?
Southern Baptist professor Dr. Dustin Benge mentioned, “You do not want large platforms, radical concepts, and revolutionary fervor to perform nice issues for God. Do the strange issues: Serve in a neighborhood church, Stand on the reality, Share the Gospel, Love folks. God makes use of ‘strange’ folks to show the world the other way up.”
The Apostle Paul would have by no means made an affect if it weren’t for the ability of the Gospel. And the identical is true for all the apostles, in addition to anybody who has ever been referred to as by the Holy Spirit to evangelise God’s Phrase.
The preacher have to be completely satisfied concerning the reality of the Gospel (see John 3:16) in addition to the realities of Heaven and Hell. Theologian Richard Baxter (1615-1691) mentioned, “I preach as by no means positive to evangelise once more, and as a dying man to dying males.”
It’s tragic that 64% of American churchgoers appear to lack a fundamental understanding of the Gospel. Wherever this non secular illness exists, the practice has gone off the rails. In case your preacher merely presents classes about morality, or self-help lectures, you want to get linked to a congregation the place God’s Phrase is faithfully taught and the place the preacher believes and preaches the Gospel.
The place do you land right this moment within the Barna examine? Are you among the many roughly one-third (34%) who perceive that solely those that repent of their sin and settle for Christ will go to Heaven? Or are you among the many two-thirds of American churchgoers who seemingly fail to understand and imagine the Gospel?
Whereas some survey responders might have given a solution aside from what is definitely of their coronary heart, I think most of those that responded answered in response to what they honestly imagine. Sadly, many American churchgoers stay misplaced and confused in regards to the biblical message of salvation.
You can not give out what you haven’t but obtained your self. In case your pastor fails to evangelise the Gospel, then pray for the salvation of your non secular leaders, and for empowered preaching that’s grounded within the Gospel and full of conviction from the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Alistair Begg mentioned, “If folks go away worship saying, ‘What an incredible preacher!’ we have now failed. As an alternative, we should lengthy for them to say, ‘What an awesome God, and what a privilege it’s to satisfy Him in His Phrase, as we have now simply finished.’ A great trainer clears the best way, declares the best way, after which will get out of the best way.”
Many Christians in America understand that we’d like a revival in our nation right this moment. The outcomes of the Barna survey reveal the depths to which such a revival is desperately wanted, each among the many clergy and amongst everybody sitting in congregations all throughout the nation.
Scottish evangelist and trainer Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) mentioned, “We preach to males as in the event that they have been acutely aware they have been dying sinners. They don’t seem to be; they’re having time.” Subsequently, we should pray fervently that the Holy Spirit convicts hearers of their sin and divulges to them the one treatment for his or her separation from God.
The brand new start is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. And the Gospel message is a non secular message that may solely be understood and believed because the Holy Spirit works in an individual’s coronary heart. Churchgoers who fail to imagine the easy Gospel message fail to know the Lord, regardless of their non secular observances.
What about you, my buddy? Are you aware you’re a sinner who’s misplaced and condemned aside from God’s mercy and charm? Come to the cross right this moment in repentance and religion. Flip away from works righteousness and place your whole confidence in Heaven within the sacrifice Christ accomplished for you on the cross.
On the finish of the day, what’s the level of attending a church the place the Gospel isn’t taught and celebrated?
Dan Delzell is the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Papillion, Nebraska.

What are American churchgoers being taught from the pulpit today about what occurs after loss of life? Clearly one thing is extremely amiss. A 2025 examine by Dr. George Barna and Dr. David Closson reveals the dire state of affairs.
Solely 36% appropriately affirm: “You’ll go to Heaven in case you repent of sin and settle for Christ.” The remainder of American churchgoers are fully misguided relating to who goes to Heaven.
The Household Analysis Council launched the examine a number of months in the past. And here’s what folks within the pew truly assume:
- “Everybody goes to Heaven” (14%).
- “Everyone seems to be purified, then goes to Heaven” (12%).
- “Do not know” (12%).
- “You go to Heaven in case you did good deeds” (11%).
- “You stop to exist” (7%).
- “You might be reincarnated” (7%).
- “You go to Hell” (2%).
Why are two-thirds of churchgoers fallacious about one thing so foundational to Christianity? In case your pastor isn’t preaching the Gospel, you must swap to a church the place the reality of Scripture is being taught.
Half of American churchgoers (49%) both have no idea who goes to Heaven, or imagine that everybody goes to Heaven, or assume that everybody is purified after which goes to Heaven. These statistics are surprising! And bear in mind, these are individuals who truly attend church!
The largest drawback is that many pastors will not be firmly rooting believers within the Gospel and the reality of Scripture. How else are you able to account for this sorry state of affairs amongst American churchgoers?
Southern Baptist professor Dr. Dustin Benge mentioned, “You do not want large platforms, radical concepts, and revolutionary fervor to perform nice issues for God. Do the strange issues: Serve in a neighborhood church, Stand on the reality, Share the Gospel, Love folks. God makes use of ‘strange’ folks to show the world the other way up.”
The Apostle Paul would have by no means made an affect if it weren’t for the ability of the Gospel. And the identical is true for all the apostles, in addition to anybody who has ever been referred to as by the Holy Spirit to evangelise God’s Phrase.
The preacher have to be completely satisfied concerning the reality of the Gospel (see John 3:16) in addition to the realities of Heaven and Hell. Theologian Richard Baxter (1615-1691) mentioned, “I preach as by no means positive to evangelise once more, and as a dying man to dying males.”
It’s tragic that 64% of American churchgoers appear to lack a fundamental understanding of the Gospel. Wherever this non secular illness exists, the practice has gone off the rails. In case your preacher merely presents classes about morality, or self-help lectures, you want to get linked to a congregation the place God’s Phrase is faithfully taught and the place the preacher believes and preaches the Gospel.
The place do you land right this moment within the Barna examine? Are you among the many roughly one-third (34%) who perceive that solely those that repent of their sin and settle for Christ will go to Heaven? Or are you among the many two-thirds of American churchgoers who seemingly fail to understand and imagine the Gospel?
Whereas some survey responders might have given a solution aside from what is definitely of their coronary heart, I think most of those that responded answered in response to what they honestly imagine. Sadly, many American churchgoers stay misplaced and confused in regards to the biblical message of salvation.
You can not give out what you haven’t but obtained your self. In case your pastor fails to evangelise the Gospel, then pray for the salvation of your non secular leaders, and for empowered preaching that’s grounded within the Gospel and full of conviction from the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Alistair Begg mentioned, “If folks go away worship saying, ‘What an incredible preacher!’ we have now failed. As an alternative, we should lengthy for them to say, ‘What an awesome God, and what a privilege it’s to satisfy Him in His Phrase, as we have now simply finished.’ A great trainer clears the best way, declares the best way, after which will get out of the best way.”
Many Christians in America understand that we’d like a revival in our nation right this moment. The outcomes of the Barna survey reveal the depths to which such a revival is desperately wanted, each among the many clergy and amongst everybody sitting in congregations all throughout the nation.
Scottish evangelist and trainer Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) mentioned, “We preach to males as in the event that they have been acutely aware they have been dying sinners. They don’t seem to be; they’re having time.” Subsequently, we should pray fervently that the Holy Spirit convicts hearers of their sin and divulges to them the one treatment for his or her separation from God.
The brand new start is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. And the Gospel message is a non secular message that may solely be understood and believed because the Holy Spirit works in an individual’s coronary heart. Churchgoers who fail to imagine the easy Gospel message fail to know the Lord, regardless of their non secular observances.
What about you, my buddy? Are you aware you’re a sinner who’s misplaced and condemned aside from God’s mercy and charm? Come to the cross right this moment in repentance and religion. Flip away from works righteousness and place your whole confidence in Heaven within the sacrifice Christ accomplished for you on the cross.
On the finish of the day, what’s the level of attending a church the place the Gospel isn’t taught and celebrated?
Dan Delzell is the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Papillion, Nebraska.

What are American churchgoers being taught from the pulpit today about what occurs after loss of life? Clearly one thing is extremely amiss. A 2025 examine by Dr. George Barna and Dr. David Closson reveals the dire state of affairs.
Solely 36% appropriately affirm: “You’ll go to Heaven in case you repent of sin and settle for Christ.” The remainder of American churchgoers are fully misguided relating to who goes to Heaven.
The Household Analysis Council launched the examine a number of months in the past. And here’s what folks within the pew truly assume:
- “Everybody goes to Heaven” (14%).
- “Everyone seems to be purified, then goes to Heaven” (12%).
- “Do not know” (12%).
- “You go to Heaven in case you did good deeds” (11%).
- “You stop to exist” (7%).
- “You might be reincarnated” (7%).
- “You go to Hell” (2%).
Why are two-thirds of churchgoers fallacious about one thing so foundational to Christianity? In case your pastor isn’t preaching the Gospel, you must swap to a church the place the reality of Scripture is being taught.
Half of American churchgoers (49%) both have no idea who goes to Heaven, or imagine that everybody goes to Heaven, or assume that everybody is purified after which goes to Heaven. These statistics are surprising! And bear in mind, these are individuals who truly attend church!
The largest drawback is that many pastors will not be firmly rooting believers within the Gospel and the reality of Scripture. How else are you able to account for this sorry state of affairs amongst American churchgoers?
Southern Baptist professor Dr. Dustin Benge mentioned, “You do not want large platforms, radical concepts, and revolutionary fervor to perform nice issues for God. Do the strange issues: Serve in a neighborhood church, Stand on the reality, Share the Gospel, Love folks. God makes use of ‘strange’ folks to show the world the other way up.”
The Apostle Paul would have by no means made an affect if it weren’t for the ability of the Gospel. And the identical is true for all the apostles, in addition to anybody who has ever been referred to as by the Holy Spirit to evangelise God’s Phrase.
The preacher have to be completely satisfied concerning the reality of the Gospel (see John 3:16) in addition to the realities of Heaven and Hell. Theologian Richard Baxter (1615-1691) mentioned, “I preach as by no means positive to evangelise once more, and as a dying man to dying males.”
It’s tragic that 64% of American churchgoers appear to lack a fundamental understanding of the Gospel. Wherever this non secular illness exists, the practice has gone off the rails. In case your preacher merely presents classes about morality, or self-help lectures, you want to get linked to a congregation the place God’s Phrase is faithfully taught and the place the preacher believes and preaches the Gospel.
The place do you land right this moment within the Barna examine? Are you among the many roughly one-third (34%) who perceive that solely those that repent of their sin and settle for Christ will go to Heaven? Or are you among the many two-thirds of American churchgoers who seemingly fail to understand and imagine the Gospel?
Whereas some survey responders might have given a solution aside from what is definitely of their coronary heart, I think most of those that responded answered in response to what they honestly imagine. Sadly, many American churchgoers stay misplaced and confused in regards to the biblical message of salvation.
You can not give out what you haven’t but obtained your self. In case your pastor fails to evangelise the Gospel, then pray for the salvation of your non secular leaders, and for empowered preaching that’s grounded within the Gospel and full of conviction from the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Alistair Begg mentioned, “If folks go away worship saying, ‘What an incredible preacher!’ we have now failed. As an alternative, we should lengthy for them to say, ‘What an awesome God, and what a privilege it’s to satisfy Him in His Phrase, as we have now simply finished.’ A great trainer clears the best way, declares the best way, after which will get out of the best way.”
Many Christians in America understand that we’d like a revival in our nation right this moment. The outcomes of the Barna survey reveal the depths to which such a revival is desperately wanted, each among the many clergy and amongst everybody sitting in congregations all throughout the nation.
Scottish evangelist and trainer Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) mentioned, “We preach to males as in the event that they have been acutely aware they have been dying sinners. They don’t seem to be; they’re having time.” Subsequently, we should pray fervently that the Holy Spirit convicts hearers of their sin and divulges to them the one treatment for his or her separation from God.
The brand new start is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. And the Gospel message is a non secular message that may solely be understood and believed because the Holy Spirit works in an individual’s coronary heart. Churchgoers who fail to imagine the easy Gospel message fail to know the Lord, regardless of their non secular observances.
What about you, my buddy? Are you aware you’re a sinner who’s misplaced and condemned aside from God’s mercy and charm? Come to the cross right this moment in repentance and religion. Flip away from works righteousness and place your whole confidence in Heaven within the sacrifice Christ accomplished for you on the cross.
On the finish of the day, what’s the level of attending a church the place the Gospel isn’t taught and celebrated?
Dan Delzell is the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Papillion, Nebraska.

What are American churchgoers being taught from the pulpit today about what occurs after loss of life? Clearly one thing is extremely amiss. A 2025 examine by Dr. George Barna and Dr. David Closson reveals the dire state of affairs.
Solely 36% appropriately affirm: “You’ll go to Heaven in case you repent of sin and settle for Christ.” The remainder of American churchgoers are fully misguided relating to who goes to Heaven.
The Household Analysis Council launched the examine a number of months in the past. And here’s what folks within the pew truly assume:
- “Everybody goes to Heaven” (14%).
- “Everyone seems to be purified, then goes to Heaven” (12%).
- “Do not know” (12%).
- “You go to Heaven in case you did good deeds” (11%).
- “You stop to exist” (7%).
- “You might be reincarnated” (7%).
- “You go to Hell” (2%).
Why are two-thirds of churchgoers fallacious about one thing so foundational to Christianity? In case your pastor isn’t preaching the Gospel, you must swap to a church the place the reality of Scripture is being taught.
Half of American churchgoers (49%) both have no idea who goes to Heaven, or imagine that everybody goes to Heaven, or assume that everybody is purified after which goes to Heaven. These statistics are surprising! And bear in mind, these are individuals who truly attend church!
The largest drawback is that many pastors will not be firmly rooting believers within the Gospel and the reality of Scripture. How else are you able to account for this sorry state of affairs amongst American churchgoers?
Southern Baptist professor Dr. Dustin Benge mentioned, “You do not want large platforms, radical concepts, and revolutionary fervor to perform nice issues for God. Do the strange issues: Serve in a neighborhood church, Stand on the reality, Share the Gospel, Love folks. God makes use of ‘strange’ folks to show the world the other way up.”
The Apostle Paul would have by no means made an affect if it weren’t for the ability of the Gospel. And the identical is true for all the apostles, in addition to anybody who has ever been referred to as by the Holy Spirit to evangelise God’s Phrase.
The preacher have to be completely satisfied concerning the reality of the Gospel (see John 3:16) in addition to the realities of Heaven and Hell. Theologian Richard Baxter (1615-1691) mentioned, “I preach as by no means positive to evangelise once more, and as a dying man to dying males.”
It’s tragic that 64% of American churchgoers appear to lack a fundamental understanding of the Gospel. Wherever this non secular illness exists, the practice has gone off the rails. In case your preacher merely presents classes about morality, or self-help lectures, you want to get linked to a congregation the place God’s Phrase is faithfully taught and the place the preacher believes and preaches the Gospel.
The place do you land right this moment within the Barna examine? Are you among the many roughly one-third (34%) who perceive that solely those that repent of their sin and settle for Christ will go to Heaven? Or are you among the many two-thirds of American churchgoers who seemingly fail to understand and imagine the Gospel?
Whereas some survey responders might have given a solution aside from what is definitely of their coronary heart, I think most of those that responded answered in response to what they honestly imagine. Sadly, many American churchgoers stay misplaced and confused in regards to the biblical message of salvation.
You can not give out what you haven’t but obtained your self. In case your pastor fails to evangelise the Gospel, then pray for the salvation of your non secular leaders, and for empowered preaching that’s grounded within the Gospel and full of conviction from the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Alistair Begg mentioned, “If folks go away worship saying, ‘What an incredible preacher!’ we have now failed. As an alternative, we should lengthy for them to say, ‘What an awesome God, and what a privilege it’s to satisfy Him in His Phrase, as we have now simply finished.’ A great trainer clears the best way, declares the best way, after which will get out of the best way.”
Many Christians in America understand that we’d like a revival in our nation right this moment. The outcomes of the Barna survey reveal the depths to which such a revival is desperately wanted, each among the many clergy and amongst everybody sitting in congregations all throughout the nation.
Scottish evangelist and trainer Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) mentioned, “We preach to males as in the event that they have been acutely aware they have been dying sinners. They don’t seem to be; they’re having time.” Subsequently, we should pray fervently that the Holy Spirit convicts hearers of their sin and divulges to them the one treatment for his or her separation from God.
The brand new start is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. And the Gospel message is a non secular message that may solely be understood and believed because the Holy Spirit works in an individual’s coronary heart. Churchgoers who fail to imagine the easy Gospel message fail to know the Lord, regardless of their non secular observances.
What about you, my buddy? Are you aware you’re a sinner who’s misplaced and condemned aside from God’s mercy and charm? Come to the cross right this moment in repentance and religion. Flip away from works righteousness and place your whole confidence in Heaven within the sacrifice Christ accomplished for you on the cross.
On the finish of the day, what’s the level of attending a church the place the Gospel isn’t taught and celebrated?
Dan Delzell is the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Papillion, Nebraska.











