wfn.org | Episcopalians participate in sweeping study of religion in America

[ENS@ecunet.org]

2001-61

Episcopalians participate in sweeping study of religion in America

by James Solheim
jsolheim@episcopalchurch.org

     (ENS) Episcopalians participated in a massive study of religious life in 
America and, like the other groups included in the study, learned a few things 
that might help plans for the future. The results were released at a news 
conference in New York City March 13.

     Faith Communities Today (FACT): A Report on Religion in the United States 
Today was conducted by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, based at 
Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, and was funded by the Lilly Endowment and the 
cooperating religious bodies.

     It is the most broadly based survey of religious institutions--churches, 
synagogues and mosques--ever conducted in this country, involving 14,301 
congregations in 41 different faith groups.

     The basic questionnaire used in the study was mailed last spring to 1,100 
Episcopal churches drawn from the 1998 Parochial Report database. A total of 726 
were returned with an effective response rate of 67.8 percent. 

     The 200 core questions covered six broad areas--worship and identity, 
location and facilities, internal and mission-oriented programs, leadership and 
organizational dynamics, and finances. Prof. Carl Dudley and Prof. David Roozen 
of the Hartford Institute estimate that the survey data "applies to about 90 
percent of the worshippers in the United States," even though it did not include 
several large groups.

     The study revealed, among other things, that half of the congregations 
participating report that they are growing, most report that they welcome change, 
and, to no one's surprise, that changes in worship often prompt serious 
congregational conflict.

     "These congregations feel good about themselves," said Dudley at the news 
conference. When compared with the past, "these congregations are larger and 
financially stronger than the past. Despite the challenges of changing community 
populations and the natural process of institutional aging," he added, "the vast 
number of congregations feel that they have been able to renew their strength and 
to sustain themselves."

Leadership still an issue

     In the section on leadership, the study concluded that "religious leadership 
should be recognized for its significant contribution to the vitality and growth 
of congregations. Leaders should be applauded for guiding a remarkably complex 
array of worship, educational, fellowship and outreach activities." Yet the 
report also noted that "some report that they have lost energy that comes with 
clear vision," with age cited as one factor that "places a drag on a 
congregation's sense of energy and purpose."

     The study suggests that "clergy with a seminary education are no more 
likely, and in many cases less likely, to report that their congregations are 
well-organized, vital and alive, growing in participants, openly dealing with 
conflict and scoring high on a clear sense of purpose." While urging some caution 
in interpretation, Dudley said that those responsible for theological education 
might "consider ways to help religious leaders deal with conflict constructively 
within denominational polities, and specifically with areas known to induce 
tension, such as developing contemporary expressions that are appropriate in 
various worship traditions."

     On the all-important concept of change, the study revealed that "change does 
not come without the emotional cost of conflict," pointing out the relationship 
between growth, change and conflict. "Congregations see themselves as growing by 
cultural heritage, by intentional and focused sense of mission, and by affirming 
standards of personal morality and social justice," the study concluded. "They 
see themselves as willing to change, especially where they can imagine the 
alternatives."

Analysis of the Episcopal Church data reveals that:

     *about a third of the responding churches are growing, another third have 
plateaued and a third are declining;

          *the largest proportion of churches report locations nearly equally 
divided between cities with a population between 10,000 and 50,000 and towns with 
a population under 10,000;

          *the largest church responding had 6,094 members with a median 
membership of all reporting churches of 246;

          *the median Sunday morning worship attendance was 110 and the median 
sanctuary seating capacity was 200; 

          *almost half the churches responding have two weekend worship services, 
often with slightly different formats;

          *over half (52 percent) reported that "a sense of God's presence" 
characterizes their worship "very well";

          *about 91 percent report that they "always" read creeds or statements 
of faith during worship, and 89 percent always pass the peace, but less than 1 
percent include dance or drama.

     In reporting on congregational finances, the median total income among 
churches responding to the survey was $158,000. Almost 60 percent of the churches 
indicate that their financial situation today is excellent or good. The median 
for the budget includes 50 percent of income for staff salaries, 20 percent on 
congregational operations, 10 percent on denominational mission work, and 5 
percent on program support and materials.

     "Without the texture of these faith communities woven into the life of 
virtually every corner of our society, the culture of the United States would be 
far less than our best," the report said in a postscript.

Good timing

     "The study comes at the right time for us," commented the Rev. Charles 
Fulton of the Episcopal Church Building Fund, who helped coordinate the church's 
participation as a missioner for Congregational Ministries. "We are particularly 
interested in the characteristics of growing congregations--and this gives us 
some concrete data."

     The Episcopal Church's determination to build membership through special 
evangelism efforts can draw on the data, according to the Rev. Winston Ching, 
director of Congregational Ministries, who represented the church at the news 
conference. "As we seek to build our capacity for ministry, we will now have a 
better idea of what people are looking for--we will have a better understanding 
of our context for ministry," he said. 

     The study makes it clear, Ching said, that "worship and liturgy are strong 
points for Episcopalians. And yet the power of symbols is changing and we must 
look for new symbols with meaning for a different generation. The study gives us 
a useful map for the future, helping us draw on our strengths and uniqueness 
while remaining open to the future," he said. (The report is available at 
http://fact.hartsem.edu)

--James Solheim is director of the Episcopal Church's Office of News and 
Information.