What can congregations do with new information that they didn't have before?

By Cynthia Woolever

Even though I’ve had my new car for more than a year, I still marvel at all the advanced information accessible on my dashboard. The GPS map system and its voice commands keep me from getting lost (well—most of the time!). Sometimes I put in the address of a place I go on a regular basis, just to see if the GPS knows a faster or shorter route. I’ve found that some of my regular routes from home to a store or meeting aren’t the best. My car also keeps track of how many miles I can drive before my gas tank is empty. This information makes a difference in my plans for filling the tank.

Having fresh information that you didn’t have before is the first step in breaking habits or assessing your current strategies. Additional information gives insights about reality that sharpen your focus of where you can best place your efforts.

Congregations can also benefit from new information that they didn’t have before. The U.S. Congregational Life Survey (US CLS) is one tool for obtaining new information.

Here are three examples of up-to-the-minute information that churches get when they use the US CLS as a tool for new insights, reflection, and change:

• Worshipers’ giving patterns. US CLS results show that at First Church of Typical Town (USA), about one in four worshipers give 10% or more of their income to the church. This percentage is the same as the national average for all congregations. Previous studies and our own research indicate that the primary factor influencing total giving across congregations is the percentage of worshipers who give 10% or more. So it’s an important figure to know about your congregation. But at First Church, 14% of worshipers report that they give nothing to the congregation. This non-giving percentage is more than double the national average (currently about 7% of all worshipers do not financially support their congregation). If First Church of Typical Town wants to increase worshiper giving, they could focus on both groups with one simple plan—challenge everyone to grow in their giving by giving 1% more! Church leaders could encourage those who currently give nothing to commit to contribute 1% of their net income in the coming year. Similarly, those currently giving 10% or more could be challenged to give an additional 1%.

(See these two excellent resources about increasing congregational giving:  Eight Ways to Raise Pledges; New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program Kit from Cokesbury)

• Commitment to the congregation’s vision and ministry. Most worshipers (84%) who attend First Church of Typical Town declare that the church has a clear vision for its ministry and say they are strongly committed to it. This percentage is twice the national average. First Church’s high level of commitment to its vision is outstanding even in comparison to the fastest-growing Presbyterian congregations, where 74% of worshipers are strongly committed to the congregation's vision. With this new information, leaders at First Church can confidently pursue innovative strategies that fit the church’s mission, knowing that worshipers are strongly committed to making it happen.
• Welcoming new worshipers. The U.S. Congregational Life Survey results for First Church of Typical Town reveal that—compared to the national average—their new worshipers (those who began attending in the past five years) are more likely to be returnees (those who are attending services after not going anywhere for several years) and switchers (those who previously participated in another church with a different faith tradition)—rather than first-timers with no church background or transfers (those who previously attended another church from the same denomination). Several years ago, First Church began offering a class for worshipers who were thinking about becoming new members. With this new information, leaders can reflect on the curriculum for the new member class and ask, “What would be most helpful to people who are returnees and switchers as they consider becoming engaged members of First Church?”

New information is new—providing insight about something that you didn’t realize you didn’t know or a revelation that might alter your course of action. The first step toward change is openness to new insight. The U.S. Congregational Life Survey is one tool to get that innovative information, which can reset your congregation’s direction.

Learn more. 

Comments

[Erwin Calverley]

Such a high-tech car you have there! By the way, I like how you pattern your views. New information can really be shocking at first, but understanding them thoroughly helps a lot to sharpen your views and skills.