The 2025 State of Christianity in America report was recently released by Back to the Bible. The data was collected from their SALT Index, which stands for Scripture Absorption and Life Transformation. It is a survey is a population-level instrument designed to measure the “harvest where is actually grows.”
The index doesn’t account for individual ministries, theological sophistication, or denominational alignment. It’s also not a replacement for over evangelism metrics. Instead, the survey measures core believe, scripture engagement, spiritual practices, life transformation, and alignment with God’s standards.
Arnie Cole, CEO of Back to the Bible, says that traditionally, when a church wants to measure the success of a revival service or a Christian camp wants to measure its effectiveness, it measures fairly superficial things.
“You check a box. It doesn't mean you're going to heaven. You attend a service. It doesn't mean you're going to heaven. You raise your hand,” says Cole.
Back to the Bible's State of Christianity survey asks how does one measure discipleship, scripture absorption, obedience.
“Let's start looking at what it takes for a life to transform,” says Cole.
Cole says that the report sets a baseline on these types of practices and finds the church wanting in certain important areas.
“Fifty percent don't read the Bible. Only 33% of Americans actually believe that we're saved by grace,” states Cole.
Most surprising of all to Cole is in one measure that the church should lead the world by leaps and bounds, but it is basically tied.
“When it comes to mentoring and discipleship, the Great Commission, 14.3% of all believers mentor someone. Non-believers, 13.8% will mentor someone else,” informs Cole.
As the beginning of the report states, America is not facing a “Jesus-awareness problem,” but rather a discipleship one.
Cole says that American Christians need to start a spiritual fitness program, and just like a physical fitness regime, it needs to start with small, achievable goals.
“We talk about spiritual fitness. You got to do it daily, a little bit at a time, one or two verses, but start getting spiritually fit,” concludes Cole.
