wfn.org | Survey responses offer glimpse into congregational life

[NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG]

March 13, 2001 News media contact: Thomas S.
McAnally·(615)742-5470·Nashville, Tenn.     10-71B{126}

NOTE:  UMNS story #127 may be used as a sidebar with this report.  

A UMNS Report
By Tom McAnally*

It's too early to know what all the data mean, but researchers are poring
over survey responses from more than 600 United Methodist congregations in
the United States.

The responses were part of a comprehensive interfaith survey of
congregations released in New York March 13.

Preliminary findings provide a glimpse into congregational life throughout
the nation in general and within the United Methodist Church in particular.

The broader survey indicates that congregations are more vital than some had
expected. The results also show that half of all congregations in the nation
have fewer than 100 regularly participating adults. More than 14,000
congregations from 41 denominations and combinations of faith groups
participated in the study.  

Glimpses into congregational life from the preliminary United Methodist data
indicate that:
·	Scripture is "absolutely foundational" as a source of authority in
worship and teaching.
·	Fewer than a third of the congregations view themselves as a
"close-knit family."
·	Food pantries and cash assistance are the two most popular outreach
programs.
·	Half of the congregations reported experiencing conflict within the
past year, with money cited as the key factor.

Surveys of congregations were conducted in spring 2000 as part of the Faith
Communities Today Project (FACT), sponsored by Hartford Seminary and funded
by Lilly Endowment. Craig This, director of the office of research and
planning for the United Methodist General Council on Ministries (GCOM), has
been working with the five-year project on behalf of the denomination.

He warned against drawing quick conclusions from the preliminary data. "I
don't want us jumping to conclusions as to what it all means," he said.
"More than 600 churches responded, and there are 239 variables to analyze.
Nevertheless, the preliminary findings give us a basis of discussion from
which to do further analysis." 

This said his office plans to produce a comprehensive profile of United
Methodist congregations.  "We hope that people involved in church growth,
congregational development, or just plain curious about United Methodist
churches will want to look at the data and conduct their own analysis."

To illustrate why caution should be used in interpreting the data, This
points to national findings that identify electric guitars as a key variable
in churches that are growing. "Yes, electric guitars may be present in
growing churches, but there are other variables or ingredients that make a
growing church. Running out and getting someone to play an electric guitar
on Sunday mornings will not assure a church of growth. Other factors have to
be considered."

Eight of 10 United Methodist congregations responding to the survey gave
high ranking to Scripture. In contrast, creeds and tradition were ranked as
"absolutely foundational" by only 12.6 percent; human reason, 13.7 percent;
and personal experience, 17.3 percent. The Holy Spirit was ranked as
absolutely foundational in half of the responses. United Methodist theology
holds that Scripture is primary but that it must be understood in
combination with experience, reason and tradition.

Seventy percent of the United Methodist congregations responding to the
survey could be classified as "town and country," This said.  

Several questions in the survey dealt with the impact of conflict on
congregational life. Half of the United Methodist congregations reported
experiencing conflict within the past year. Of those, 28.6 percent said the
conflict was moderately to very serious.  

The key source of conflict appears to be money, with 53.5 percent reporting
that their disagreements were related to financial issues. More than half
reported that conflict was related to decision-making, leadership style and
worship. 

Only 53.4 percent of the congregations reported excitement about the future,
and 51.5 percent described themselves as vital and alive. This said the
pessimism may stem from the fact that 43.4 percent of the congregations
reported a drop in membership during the past five years. Another 37.2
percent reported their membership had remained static.

Some questions dealt with worship. Nine of 10 congregations use pianos and
organs in worship, and fewer than 25 percent use drums, electric guitars,
electronic keyboards, recorded music and non-electronic instrument on a
regular basis. While analysis is yet to be done, This noted that the overall
survey indicates a relationship between churches that are growing and the
use of a variety of musical instruments in worship.  

Survey participants were asked if a set of descriptions or attributes fits
their own congregations.  Less than a third (28.5 percent) said their
congregations were like a close-knit family. Less than 4 percent said
"working for social justice" fit their congregation. Less than 5 percent
thought "our congregation is trying to increase its racial/ethnic diversity"
fit their congregation. 

Another 8.6 percent believed they welcome change, and 14.5 percent reported
that "newcomers were easily incorporated into their congregations" fit them
well. Nearly 17 percent reported that the statement "Our congregation's
program and activities strengthen personal relationships among our members"
fit them well.

During a time when church leaders and politicians are discussing faith-based
initiatives, the FACT study may prove helpful, This said.  

Food pantries and cash assistance are the two most popular outreach programs
conducted by United Methodist congregations. Nearly three-quarters of the
congregations surveyed reported providing some sort of cash assistance to
people in need. Additionally, 30 percent also provide cash assistance in
cooperation with other agencies or congregations.

More than 50 percent reported cooperating in food pantries with other
organizations or congregations, while 40.3 percent reported providing food
pantries on their own. 

United Methodists are involved a variety of faith-based services either
alone or in cooperation with other groups. More than one-third (38.1
percent) operate a cooperative thrift store, and 28.2 percent operate a
store on their own.  

Two of 10 congregations provide cooperative housing; 13.1 percent provide
their own. More congregations (16.8 percent) provide counseling services on
their own than in partnership with others (12.8 percent), while more
congregations (17.6 percent) provide substance abuse programs in cooperation
with others than on their own (9.7 percent).

Two in 10 congregations provide child care on their own, while one in 10 do
so with others.  Hospital or nursing homes are funded almost equally by
congregations on their own (18.6 percent) or in cooperation with others
(18.8 percent). Prison and jail ministries are provided by individual
congregations (15.5 percent) and by churches working together (16.1
percent).

Other services provided by United Methodist congregations include tutoring,
social issue advocacy, employment help, health programs, immigrant programs
and senior programs.

The GCOM office of research and planning will make a summary of United
Methodist findings available in May. For copies of the full report or to get
on a mailing list for further reports, visit the GCOM Web site, currently
under construction at www.gcom-umc.org, or call (937) 227-9415. 

This' office plans to produce reports on each of the survey topics -
congregational identity, worship, participants, leadership and finances,
with analysis conducted based on attendance, membership, location and
jurisdiction. 

"Our goal," he said, "is to produce a solid, comprehensive profile of United
Methodist congregations." 
# # #
*McAnally is director of United Methodist News Service, the official news
agency of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn.,
Washington and New York.

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
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