Protestant pastors with a graduate degree were less likely to select Mother’s day than pastors with at most a bachelor’s degree. Protestant pastors of churches in the South were most likely to select homecoming.

Between Easter and Christmas, Mother’s Day may be the most likely day people will attend church, according to a study by LifeWay Research.

In a national poll of 1,000 Protestant pastors, LifeWay Research asked what the three highest attendance Sundays were throughout the year. Mother’s Day (59 percent) ranked third behind the standard religious powerhouse holidays of Easter (93 percent) and Christmas (84 percent).

Scott McConnell, director of LifeWay Research, said, “Clearly, mothers want to be present for the affirmation that is typically offered in most churches, but families also are present knowing their attendance will honor their mother. Many families make church attendance on Mother’s Day nearly obligatory.”

Among the seven specific days tested, Father’s Day was mentioned the least, falling behind even homecoming celebrations.

“The attendance difference between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day is telling,” McConnell said. “Either churches are less effective in affirming fathers, or families believe Christian fathers don’t value their participation in worship services.”

Lifeway Research results for poll asking pastors At your church, which day typically has the highest attendance for worship services?” and asked for 3 responses

Easter 93%
Christmas 84%
Mother’s Day 59%
Other 26%
Homecoming 16%
Friend Day 14%
Fourth of July 4%
Father’s Day 4%

[Editor’s note: This article is incomplete. The source for this document was originally published on bpnews.net—however, the original URL is no longer available.]