The American church has a porn problem. Nearly 1 in 5 pastors (18%) in the United States currently struggles with pornography. Two-thirds (67%) have engaged with porn at some point in their lives. And 74% of practicing Christians “who have engaged with porn” say no one is helping them avoid it.
These sobering statistics are from the recent study, “Beyond the Porn Phenomenon,” by Barna and Pure Desire Ministries, a follow-up to Barna’s 2016 study, “The Porn Phenomenon.” While the findings are disheartening, the researchers nevertheless have words of encouragement for church leaders, as well key takeaways regarding how churches can be equipped to address the poison of porn.
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“Since 2016, not much has changed about society’s porn problem. In fact, as you’ll see in this latest study, some things have become worse,” said Barna researchers. “And there’s even greater opportunity—and need—for the Church to respond.”
“Our dream at Pure Desire is to see the Church as the safest place possible for someone to admit to their sexual struggles or the struggles of a loved one,” said Pure Desire Ministries Executive Director Nick Stumbo. “This can only happen as we all learn to respond well to those who are struggling or hurting and provide focused, intentional community around this topic.”
“May we rise to this cultural moment and create healing space—for all men and women, married or single, struggling or partnered with someone struggling—to find lasting hope and freedom in Christ,” he added. “You are not alone.”
Porn Problem in the American Church
In 2016, Barna released the report, “The Porn Phenomenon,” which showed that the use of pornography in American culture was pervasive and accepted. Now, porn use in the U.S., which was at 55% in 2015, has increased to 61% in the present day. Porn use has increased among women, and younger generations report using porn more often than older generations do.
“Beyond the Porn Phenomenon,” said Stumbo, shows that the “average Christian is not experiencing freedom in this area.” Moreover, church leaders are also struggling, and it is not common for churches to provide help tailored to sexual addiction.
One of the areas the report evaluates is the relationship between porn use and “betrayal trauma,” which results when “the people or institutions on which a person depends for survival significantly violate that person’s trust or well-being.” Researchers write that the new report demonstrates “just how crucial it is for church leaders to better understand betrayal trauma and pornography use within their congregations.”
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“Faith community can be a place where betrayed spouses are reminded how God ‘rescues those whose spirits are crushed’ (Psalm 34:18, NLT),” the researchers said. “However, without recognizing the very real devastation of this trauma, church leaders risk mishandling the pain these individuals experience, leaving them feeling more hurt, unheard and invalidated.”
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