rush-to-press
The Week's News in Christian Publishing
  • Industry News
  • Milestones
  • Media Announcements
  • Product News
  • Other News

Data reveals most popular worship songs and sermon topics of 2020

BELLINGHAM, Wash., Jan. 11, 2021 – Data compiled by Faithlife, makers of integrated church technology products including Logos Bible Software, in the Year-End Song & Sermon Report provides insight into the worship songs, sermon topics and Scriptures most prevalent in churches across North America throughout 2020 and during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The 2020 Faithlife data highlights the relevancy of church leaders in meeting the needs of their congregants and community during a difficult year,” said Bob Pritchett, co-founder and CEO of Faithlife. “The words of the top worship songs and most used topics of the sermons were speaking to the issues of the day in order to offer comfort among the chaos.”

Worship Song Trends

The most popular worship song in 2020 was “Way Maker” by Nigerian gospel singer Sinach, according to the data from Faithlife Proclaim, Faithlife’s church presentation software.

“Way Maker” reached its peak popularity with Proclaim users the weekend of March 22, 2020, when almost 7% of all worship presentations included the song. “Build My Life” by Pat Barrett (the top song in 2019) was the second most popular, followed by “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” by Matt Redman.

Image

An analysis of songs bringing comfort to churches during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic shows an interesting mix of modern and historic hymns such as “It is Well with My Soul” and “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” as well as “His Mercy Is More,” by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa. Other new songs on the list include “Goodness of God,” released in early 2019 by Bethel Music and Jenn Johnson, “King of Kings” by Hillsong Worship, and “See a Victory” by Elevation Worship.

Image

Sermon Topic Trends

According to data from ​Faithlife Sermons,​ there were nearly 200 different topics, including ​loneliness,​ ​friendship​, ​fear,​ ​contentment or ​leadership, represented in at least 100 sermons throughout 2020.​ The most common topics included ​God,​ ​Jesus,​ ​love,​ ​faith,​ ​power​ and​ glory​.

Early in April, during the beginning stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and in anticipation of Easter, topics of ​fear, prayer, faith, suffering, comfort, grief, stress, and church ​were all trending.

Government, justice, freedom, anger, ​and ​judgment peaked in the summer months when there was a wave of civil unrest, including protests and riots following the death of George Floyd. By fall, church fellowship, service, church leadership, work, a​nd ​election w​ere most trending with peace a​nd ​hope having the largest overall sermon trend of the year with peak popularity in December, the season of Advent.

Image

Data Information

Worship music trends are based on data from Faithlife Proclaim​ Church Presentation Software across the over 2.2 million times churches sang 7,000-plus songs together in more than 568,000 services. Insight into what topics and Scriptures pastors preached about in 2020 were compiled using data from over 60,000 sermons posted to ​Faithlife Sermons of which 75% included topic tags created by the author that describe an idea, person, or theological concept covered.

Additional data in the report includes songs that gained popularity in accordance with key calendar dates, including Easter. Father’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the top 10 most-preached Scriptures in 2020.

To download the full Year-End Song & Sermon Report from Faithlife, visit Faithlife.com/songs.

About Faithlife:  Faithlife, based in Bellingham, Washington, with offices in Arizona and Mexico, has been using technology to equip the Church to grow in the light of the Bible for more than 25 years. Since 1992, Faithlife has developed a full suite of church management tools, academic study resources, smart digital books, and Logos Bible Software, all part of its integrated ministry platform that automates tasks and simplifies workflows. For more information, visit Faithlife.com.

Media Contact:  Melany Ethridge, 972-267-1111  melany@alarryross.com

Sign Up To Receive Industry News Each Week

Subscribe

This Month’s Bestsellers

VIEW BY GENRE
1 GOOD BOUNDARIES AND GOODBYES
LYSA TERKEURST
2 JESUS CALLING
SARAH YOUNG
3 JESUS LISTENS
SARAH YOUNG
4 THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES
GARY CHAPMAN
5 TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER CLASSIC EDITION
DAVE RAMSEY
6 STAND STRONG
OUR DAILY BREAD MINISTRIES WITH CONTRIBUTION BY DAVE BRANON
7 THE RETURN OF THE GODS
JONATHAN CAHN
8 JESUS CALLING FOR CHRISTMAS
SARAH YOUNG
9 MISSION POSSIBLE ONE-YEAR DEVOTIONAL
TIM TEBOW WITH A. J. GREGORY
10 GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD
JENNIE ALLEN
View All
1 THE WORLD OF THE END
DAVID JEREMIAH
2 BY WAY OF DECEPTION
AMIR TSARFATI AND STEVE YOHN
3 JESUS LISTENS NOTE-TAKING EDITION
SARAH YOUNG
4 YOUR GREATER IS COMING
JOEL OSTEEN
5 PRAYING LIKE MONKS, LIVING LIKE FOOLS
TYLER STATON
6 DAILY WISDOM FOR WOMEN 2023 DEVOTIONAL COLLECTION
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
7 CHRISTMAS IDEALS 2022
MELINDA LEE RATHJEN
8 MY JESUS
ANNE WILSON
9 FOSTERED
TORI HOPE PETERSEN
10 LIVE YOUR TRUTH AND OTHER LIES
ALISA CHILDERS
View All
1 REDEEMING LOVE
FRANCINE RIVERS
2 THE LADY'S MINE
FRANCINE RIVERS
3 A LINEAGE OF GRACE
FRANCINE RIVERS
4 THE HARBINGER
JONATHAN CAHN
5 THE SHACK
WILLIAM PAUL YOUNG
6 THE SISTERS OF SEA VIEW
JULIE KLASSEN
7 MARK OF THE LION GIFT COLLECTION
FRANCINE RIVERS
8 A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT AND HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN AND CHARLES DICKENS
9 HINDS' FEET ON HIGH PLACES: AN ENGAGING VISUAL JOURNEY
HANNAH HURNARD
10 THE ORCHARD
BEVERLY LEWIS
View All
1 GOOD BOUNDARIES AND GOODBYES
LYSA TERKEURST
2 JESUS CALLING
SARAH YOUNG
3 JESUS LISTENS
SARAH YOUNG
4 THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES
GARY CHAPMAN
5 TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER CLASSIC EDITION
DAVE RAMSEY
6 STAND STRONG
OUR DAILY BREAD MINISTRIES WITH CONTRIBUTION BY DAVE BRANON
7 THE RETURN OF THE GODS
JONATHAN CAHN
8 JESUS CALLING FOR CHRISTMAS
SARAH YOUNG
9 MISSION POSSIBLE ONE-YEAR DEVOTIONAL
TIM TEBOW WITH A. J. GREGORY
10 GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD
JENNIE ALLEN
View All
1 I'M SO GLAD YOU WERE BORN
AINSLEY EARHARDT
2 THE ACTION BIBLE
SERGIO CARIELLO
3 THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
4 THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
CLEMENT MOORE
5 THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS
PATRICIA A. PINGRY
6 THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE
SALLY LLOYD-JONES
7 THE COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BIBLE
JANICE EMMERSON
8 THE WORLD NEEDS WHO YOU WERE MADE TO BE
JOANNA GAINES
9 SOUNDING JOY
ELLIE HOLCOMB
10 GOD GAVE US CHRISTMAS, Board Book
LISA TAWN BERGREN
View All
1 THE MANUAL TO MANHOOD
JONATHAN CATHERMAN
2 LIVE ON PURPOSE
SADIE ROBERTSON HUFF WITH BETH CLARK AND TAMA FORTNER
3 GOD IS WITH YOU EVERY DAY
MAX LUCADO
4 LIVE
SADIE ROBERTSON HUFF WITH BETH CLARK
5 SPORTS SHORTS
DEL DUDUIT
6 ADORED
ZONDERVAN
7 3 BIG QUESTIONS THAT SHAPE YOUR FUTURE
KARA POWELL AND KRISTEL ACEVEDO AND BRAD M. GRIFFIN
8 OUTDATED
JONATHAN JP POKLUDA AND KEVIN MCCONAGHY
9 THE POWER OF A PRAYING TEEN
STORMIE OMARTIAN
10 THE 5-MINUTE BIBLE STUDY FOR TEEN GIRLS
CAREY SCOTT
View All
1 3-MINUTE DEVOTIONS FOR MEN
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
2 LOTS OF KNOCK-KNOCK JOKES FOR KIDS
WHEE WINN
3 LAUGH-OUT-LOUD JOKES FOR KIDS
ROB ELLIOTT
4 THE BERENSTAIN BEARS AND THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL
MIKE BERENSTAIN
5 THE BERENSTAIN BEARS AND THE JOY OF GIVING
JAN BERENSTAIN AND MIKE BERENSTAIN
6 WORRY LESS, PRAY MORE
DONNA K. MALTESE
7 GOD'S PROMISES FOR YOUR EVERY NEED, NKJV
THOMAS NELSON
8 BIBLE PROMISES FOR MOMS
HEIDI ST JOHN
9 MORNINGS WITH GOD
EMILY BIGGERS
10 GOD WILL USE THIS FOR GOOD
MAX LUCADO
View All
1 NKJV SUPER GIANT PRINT BIBLE
NELSON BIBLES
2 NIV ADVENTURE BIBLE, Hardcover
ZONDERVAN
3 NIV THE WOMAN'S STUDY BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
4 NIV BIBLE FOR TEEN GIRLS
ZONDERVAN
5 CSB SHE READS TRUTH BIBLE, Rose Gold
RAECHEL MYERS AND AMANDA BIBLE WILLIAMS AND CSB BIBLES BY HOLMAN
6 NLT ONE YEAR BIBLE
TYNDALE
7 NKJV PERSONAL SIZE LARGE PRINT REFERENCE BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
8 NLT DELUXE EXPLORER EVERY MAN'S BIBLE
STEPHEN ARTERBURN
9 CSB HOLY LAND ILLUSTRATED BIBLE
NA
10 NLT PREMIUM SLIMLINE LARGE PRINT ONE YEAR CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE
TYNDALE
View All
1 NIV ECONOMY BIBLE
ZONDERVAN
2 NIV HOLY BIBLE FOR KIDS ECONOMY EDITION
ZONDERVAN
3 ESV ECONOMY BIBLE
CROSSWAY
4 KJV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE, Black
THOMAS NELSON
5 KJV ECONOMY BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
6 NIV LARGER PRINT BIBLE
ZONDERVAN
7 NIV OUTREACH BIBLE STUDENT EDITION
ZONDERVAN
8 ESV LARGE PRINT ECONOMY BIBLE
CROSSWAY
9 CSB OUTREACH BIBLE
CSB BIBLES BY HOLMAN
10 NLT ECONOMY TEXT BIBLE
TYNDALE
View All
1 New International Version
2 New Living Translation
3 English Standard Version
4 King James Version
5 Christian Standard Bible
6 New King James Version
7 Reina Valera
8 New International Reader's Version
9 New American Standard Bible
10 The Message
View All
1 INCENDIARIO
ITIEL ARROYO
2 PERDONA LO QUE NO PUEDES OLVIDAR
LYSA TERKEURST
3 UN ANO CON DIOS
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
4 JESUS TE LLAMA, Tapa Dura
SARAH YOUNG
5 GANA LA GUERRA EN TU MENTE
CRAIG GROESCHEL
6 MAPA DE ORACION PARA UNA VIDA MENOS ESTRESADA
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
7 UNA VIDA CON PROPOSITO, Bolsillo
RICK WARREN
8 EL PODER DE LA GRATITUD
JOYCE MEYER
9 ERES MAS FUERTE DE LO QUE PIENSAS
JOEL OSTEEN
10 365 DIAS DE ORACION PARA LAS MUJERES
BROADSTREET PUBLISHING GROUP LLC
View All
1 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Tapa Dura
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
2 RVR1960 BIBLIA LETRA GRANDE TAMANO MANUAL EDICION TIERRA SANTA
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
3 RVR1960 SAMS LETRA GRANDE BIBLE
RVR 1960- REINA VALERA 1960
4 RVR1960/NKJV BIBLIA BILINGUE
RVR 1960- REINA VALERA 1960
5 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
6 RVR1960 BIBLIA DE ESTUDIO PARA MUJERES, Tapa Dura
DOROTHY KELLEY PATTERSON AND RHONDA HARRINGTON KELLEY AND B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
7 RVR1960 BIBLIA DEL PESCADOR LETRA GRANDE
LUIS ANGEL DIAZ-PABON
8 RVR1960 BIBLIA LETRA SUPER GIGANTE, Negro
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
9 NVI BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Blanco
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
10 RVR1960/ESV SPANISH ENGLISH PARALLEL BIBLE
CROSSWAY BIBLES
View All
1 LOS 5 LENGUAJES DEL AMOR REVISADO
GARY CHAPMAN
2 365 HISTORIAS BIBLICAS PARA LA HORA DE DORMIR
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
3 DEMASIADO BENDECIDA PARA ESTAR ESTRESADA: DEVOCIONALES DE 3 MINUTOS PARA MUJERES
DEBORA M. COTY
4 UNA MUJER CONFORME AL CORAZON DE DIOS
ELIZABETH GEORGE
5 EL AYUNO DEL SENOR
YIYE AVILA
6 PREOCUPATE MENOS Y ORA MAS
DONNA K. MALTESE
7 EL SECRETO DE LA PAZ PERSONAL
BILLY GRAHAM
8 DEVOCIONALES DE 3 MINUTOS PARA HOMBRES: 180 LECTURAS INSPIRADORAS
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
9 EL PODER DE LA ESPOSA QUE ORA - SERIE FAVORITOS
STORMIE OMARTIAN
10 DONES DEL ESPIRITU
YIYE AVILA
View All

Upcoming Events

The Christy Award® submission period
March 1-30, 2023
Christian Collective at London Book Fair
April 18-20 | London
European Christian Rights Fair
April 24-26, 2023 | Krakow Poland
ECPA Leadership Summit & Awards Celebration
May 9-10, 2023 | Nashville
ECPA International Christian Rights and Export Fair
June 27-28 | Moody Bible Institute, Chicago

Career Center

Part Time Rights Administrator
Riggins Rights Management, Remote
Book Project Manager
Nori Media Group, Inc., Shippensburg, Penn. (Hybrid)
ECPA LOGO
submit icon

Submit a News Item

Submit industry related news releases to rushtopress @ecpa .org for consideration. Rush to Press is sent every Monday and eligible releases must be received by end of day Friday prior to the Monday’s publication.

announce icon

Career Posts

To announce a job opening in Rush to Press, post it first at the ECPA Career Center at jobs.ecpa.org, and your announcement will appear in the next issue.

subscribe icon

Subscribe

To receive Rush to Press, along with other industry updates from ECPA, please follow the instructions here to create or modify your ECPA community profile. To subscribe to Rush to Press without using a profile, subscribe here.

unsubscribe icon

Unsubscribe

If you would like to be removed from the Rush to Press distribution list, please edit your ECPA profile preferences or email info @ecpa .org.

advertise icon

Advertise

If you would like to reach over 3,300 industry subscribers and media contacts each week, consider advertising in Rush to Press. Contact sponsorship @ecpa .org for more information.

More news at RushtoPress.org. #RushtoPress @ECPA @ChristianBkExpo
This is a publication of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. For more information about ECPA, contact info@ecpa.org or visit ECPA.org.
Copyright © 2023 · ECPA