Is attending church in person or online better for your health?

For decades, studies have consistently linked regular attendance at religious services with healthier lifestyles, and better mental and physical health. Did the pandemic change that relationship, however? For many Americans, the decision to attend a worship service became more complicated as COVID case counts rose or fell and many churches started their streaming services to still maintain a connection with their members. But does virtual worship (i.e. “Bedside Baptist”) provide the same pre-COVID-19 benefits that in-person worshippers experienced for decades?

A study called “‘Electronic Church’ 2.0” by Laura Upenieks, Terrence Hill, Gabriel Acevedo, and Faith Facts expert Harold Koenig examines this.