According to a Gallup poll, three in four American worshippers say a sermon that is relevant to life and that teaches scripture will be a major factor in continuing to attend church.
The research looked at seven factors for attending church including opportunity for community outreach, inspiring religious leaders and access to social activities.
Youth programs and volunteer opportunities placed high on the ranks. Having a good choir, praise band, cantor or other spiritual music came in last place for why people go to church.
Gallup interviewed U.S. adults who attend a church, synagogue or mosque at least monthly. But the vast majority identified as Christian.
It also interviewed Americans who used to attend a place of worship growing up but then stopped.
The poll found that there was no overarching reason why people stopped going to church. Less than half of those
interviewed said they preferred to worship on their own.