U.S. Congregational Life Survey
Help conducting church surveys and identifying congregational strengths; up-to-date information about worshipers, congregations, and pastoral leaders.
The U.S. Congregational Life Survey is the largest and most representative profile of worshippers and their congregations ever conducted in the United States. The survey first took place in 2001 (Wave 1) and was updated in 2008 and 2009 (Wave 2). Congregations participating in 2001 and 2008/2009 were scientifically chosen to be representative of all congregations in the U.S. In participating congregations, every worshiper age 15 and older in attendance on the day the survey is given is invited to complete a survey.
Thus, survey results reflect congregational life today, including how worshipers experience and connect with their congregations. At the national level, survey results provide a unique view of congregational life from the perspective of those who worship in America's congregations. But they also provide national benchmarks for comparison for individual congregations taking the survey. Any congregation can now take the survey to learn more about their worshippers and their congregation’s strengths. Customized reports and other resources (books, DVDs, and leader guides) are provided to help congregations understand and use their survey results. These resources help them identify the congregation's unique strengths in comparison to others of similar size or from the same denomination. Participating congregations can then find ways to build on those strengths.
Findings from the project can be found in three books (A Field Guide to U.S. Congregations, Beyond the Ordinary: Ten Strengths of U.S. Congregations, and Places of Promise: Finding Strength in Your Congregation's Location) and other resources on the website.
U.S. Congregations is a religious research group staffed by religious researchers and sociologists who are conducting the U.S. Congregational Life Survey. We are housed in the Research Services office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Louisville, Ky.