Understanding the Digital Divide Among Protestant Churches in the United States

Abstract

This study examines what contributes to the digital divide among Protestant churches in the United States, by testing how a church's organizational, participant, and clergy characteristics predict its adoption of Facebook and other social media platforms. The analysis of the 2018–2019 National Congregations Study data shows that lead pastors’ familiarity with social media, church size, and proportion of younger congregants increase the likelihood of social media use. This study concludes that denominational support for individual congregations can help close the digital divide.