In a new survey, pastors across the country are making their voices heard, and it looks like former President Donald Trump is gaining major ground heading into the 2024 election.

According to Lifeway Research, twice as many Protestant pastors are planning to back Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, but a significant number are staying tight-lipped about their preferences.

The survey, conducted between Aug. 8 and Sept. 3, took the pulse of 1,003 Protestant pastors in the U.S. with a margin of error of ±3.3%.

The results? Half of the pastors surveyed say they’re all in for Trump, while only 24% plan to vote for Harris. And yet, about 23% are still on the fence about who they’ll choose come election day.

Scott McConnell, Lifeway Research’s Executive Director, points out how politics has become a lightning rod in churches across the nation.

“We ask pastors about many things happening in culture, and they’re usually happy to give their take. But when it comes to their voting intentions, the growing hesitation to respond shows just how touchy politics has become in some congregations,” McConnell noted.

The numbers show a clear divide: 50% of pastors identify as Republicans, 25% as independents, and just 18% call themselves Democrats.

McConnell highlights that a pastor’s political leanings are often the biggest factor in predicting their vote, although denominational ties can play a role. “Even within their own churches, pastors are navigating a minefield of political opinions,” he said.

“In a society that’s growing more intolerant of differing views, pastors are trying to maintain unity focused on faith.”

The findings echo Lifeway’s previous research in 2020, when 53% of pastors were on board with Trump, compared to 21% backing Joe Biden.

In 2016, the numbers were more split, with 40% undecided in September, 32% leaning toward Trump, and 19% siding with Hillary Clinton.

For 2024, Pentecostal pastors are leading the charge for Trump with 65% supporting him, closely followed by Baptists and non-denominational Christians at 64%.

Meanwhile, only 24% of Presbyterians and 26% of Methodists plan to support Trump.

Evangelical pastors are solidly in Trump’s camp, with 61% planning to vote for him, compared to just 30% of mainline Protestant pastors.

Lifeway didn’t just ask pastors who they’re voting for—they also dug into what qualities are driving their decisions.

National security tops the list, with 85% saying a candidate’s ability to keep America safe is a major factor.

Religious freedom, foreign policy, the economy, immigration, and abortion also scored high on the list of priorities, with more than 80% of pastors saying they weigh these issues heavily when deciding who to support.

Interestingly, while racial injustice and the role of government are important to about 70% of pastors, only 38% put much stock in a candidate’s stance on climate change.

When asked to name the single most important issue, a plurality (24%) said personal character, with abortion (18%), religious freedom (16%), and the economy (12%) following close behind.

“Pastors aren’t just focused on one issue,” McConnell emphasized. “They’re concerned about a whole range of things that have moral implications, and no single characteristic stands out as most important to everyone.”

As the 2024 election heats up, one thing is clear—America’s pastors are watching the candidates closely, and Trump has a solid foundation of support among church leaders.