Bridging the Gap: The Church’s Role in Addressing Pornography

Though pornography’s influence is widely acknowledged, many faith communities still struggle to address the issue openly and effectively. Barna’s Beyond the Porn Phenomenon research, conducted in partnership with Pure Desire Ministries, reveals both troubling trends and hopeful opportunities for the Church to provide lasting support.

While over half of Christians and churched adults (53%) say it’s important for their church to address pornography and sexual compulsive behavior, only 10 percent are aware of their church providing programs for people struggling. And yet 75 percent of pastors say they are individually ministering to those struggling with porn. The data points to a gap in the awareness or efficacy (or both) of how churches approach this topic. So, how can leaders bridge this gap?

Trusted Treatment Strategies

While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to helping people face a problem with pornography, there does seem to be a consensus on what people perceive to be the most effective solutions.

Most U.S. adults overall (56%) view therapy or counseling as the most effective approach for addressing porn use, followed by addiction recovery resources (28%). Specifically among those with a history of porn use, half (55%) also list therapy or counseling as the top form of treatment for someone struggling with pornography (vs. 62% of nonusers). Further, two in five past or present porn users (38%) think personal counseling is a very effective strategy.

Engaging individuals in positive hobbies and activities emerges as another method that U.S. adults perceive to be effective (27%). Recovery groups (25%) and support from friends (23%) land about in the middle of what U.S. adults deem the most effective forms of treatment.

The data suggests that people might feel most comfortable seeking help from those they have established rapport with, like therapists, friends or family members.

This doesn’t mean there’s no place for pastors and church leaders in this discussion. But it does point to the heart behind what’s helpful to someone struggling with porn use: trust, comfort and accountability.

“Do we have church communities where people can be known, rather than church communities that are just about knowledge?” asks Morgan Davis, elder at Bridgetown Church and leader of their ministry for individuals facing sexual brokenness. “Healing comes when we’re known in our weaknesses, and we only do that if we trust people.”

Practical Steps for Church Leaders

Because pornography use is complex and sensitive, even people with good intentions may not be equipped to help someone who is struggling. Despite pastors and Christian leaders often falling short in their response on the topic, Christians still see the Church as a bridge to wholeness. Here are some approaches both Christians and non-Christians favor:

• Pathways to counseling: From Barna’s list of approaches, both Christians and non-Christians see providing access to professional counseling and therapy services as the best response from churches and religious organizations, with nearly half of Christians (48%) and 42 percent of non-Christians supporting this direction. For church leaders, this could look like building relationships with qualified mental health professionals and creating clear referral pathways for congregants seeking help.
• Promoting healthy dialogue: Christians particularly value the role of churches in promoting healthy discussions around sexual behaviors within a moral framework (41% vs. 33% of non-Christians). Churches can serve as valuable spaces for open conversations about sexuality that incorporate both moral teachings and practical guidance.
• Sharing educational resources: Both Christians (37%) and non-Christians (36%) support churches sharing educational resources that address compulsive sexual behavior. Churches could effectively serve their broader communities by offering evidence-based educational materials and programs about managing these challenges.

As pornography’s presence and influence grows, even among practicing Christians, the opportunity for churches to offer profound healing and hope is more evident—and urgent. By acknowledging the complexity of this struggle and meeting individuals with care and compassion, churches can become powerful agents of restoration.