CHURCH GROWTH 101 Robert B. Ellsworth and Janet B. Ellsworth. wwwthrivingchurches.org

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1 CHURCH GROWTH 101 Robert B. Ellsworth and Janet B. Ellsworth. wwwthrivingchurches.org This paper focuses on attracting more worshippers. From surveying congregations for more than a decade, we identified seven aspects of ministry that played a key role in church growth. This paper also includes a Free copy of the new and improved Church Life Survey, plus guidelines. We would love to share a survey tool that, when used properly, has helped many congregations thrive. Our research is over. It s time to share. Our research produced many surprises. For example, we learned that Worship was not the primary factor in attracting people. Instead, three aspects of leadership, when strengthened, had the strongest impact on numerical growth. How did we create the Church Life survey? We began with over 60 survey items. From survey results of 150+ congregations that surveyed once, we initially identified 29 aspects of ministry that had significant links to church growth and/or transforming lives. Snapshots-in-time, however, strongly suggest but do not confirm causality (see reference #4). In 2011, a shorter but more useful survey emerged after analyzing almost 11,000 surveys from 37 congregations that surveyed twice. By comparing baseline and follow-up results, we identified 20 essentials that, when strengthened, had a strong impact on attracting more people and transforming more lives. It s far more effective for leaders to work with ministry essentials that have proven to increase attendance. No other survey that we know of can make this claim. CONTENTS Seven Essentials that had the Strongest Impact on Growth (p 1-4) How much did changes in seven essentials impact attendance? Exploring their impact on growth. Practical applications. Surveying your Congregation: Preparation and Guidelines (p 5-6) Church Life Survey, Guidelines for Scoring and Norms (p 7-8) Seven Essentials that Had the Strongest Impact on Growth Listed in order of their impact on attracting more people: 1. Church leaders (clergy, lay leaders, staff, etc.) support trying new things. 2. Leaders are willing to evaluate and use what works, and put aside what doesn t. 3. There is a lot of joy and laughter in this place. 4. This faith community plays a vital role in my Spiritual Well-Being 5. Continually reminding people of God s love for us. 6. Sermons that help people handle daily life. 7. The special music is excellent and soul satisfying (solos, choir, etc.). 1

2 How Much Did Changes in Seven Essentials Impact Attendance? Change in Seven Ministry Essentials Number of Ministries Average Change in Quality Average Change In Attendance 1) Big Positive Change (Range +5.7 to +15.4) +20 % per year 2) Small Positive Change (Range +0.5 to +3.1) +7 % per year 3) Small Negative Change (Range -0.5 to % per year 4) Moderate Neg. Change (Range -2.6 to -11.8) -9% per year As seen above, changes in the quality of seven growth essentials had a major impact on attendance. Ministries that made the most positive changes in quality had the largest gain in attendance. Some, who did not make positive changes concluded that the survey program did not work. In truth, the program is effective in ministries that really work the program. Questions often asked. Did all of the ministries with positive changes in essentials grow? Nineteen out of the 20 congregations that improved their essentials attracted more people. One did not. This small congregation, where most of the worshippers had been together for years, did not grow. Although the quality of worship, spiritual teachings and spiritual wellbeing had increased significantly by re-survey time, new people who did come rarely stayed. Sometimes a congregation does not want new people around because this might upset their needs being met. Did any of the ministries, where quality decreased significantly, attract more people? Attendance in one of these 11 ministries increased 20 percent in one year. This church spent twelve months encouraging worshippers to talk with someone they did not know after service. Each Sunday, the minister would suggest a discussion topic. People enjoyed this interaction. Attendance, however, declined after this activity stopped because the quality of ministry essentials remained below normal. How did you measure changes in numerical growth? We found that simply counting the number of surveys completed at baseline and followup was the most objective way. Among 38 churches that resurveyed, we dropped one because the follow-up surveys did not represent the congregation as a whole. Many of the older congregants refused to complete their follow-up survey. Conflict between dwellers and a survey response team arose when this team began making significant changes. Many dwellers resisted the changes and were adamant about not wanting the church to grow. We learned from a reliable source that attendance had increased briefly at the time of the resurvey. But two months later, attendance had declined. Conflict drives people away. 2

3 Exploring the Impact of Seven Essentials on Growth We begin with leadership because these three behaviors had the greatest impact on growth. Survey items 1 through 12 represent action essentials, things that ministries did that resulted in more people coming and/or more people developing spiritually (see survey on page 7). The three action leadership items include: 1 st Support trying new things (survey item #10). Being willing to support new things made a major difference in attracting more people. Attendance almost never increased when leaders failed to support new things. It s been said that the last words of a dying church are, But we ve always done things that way. 2 nd Accountability (#11). Just introducing new things is rarely enough. Being willing to evaluate and use what works and modify or put aside what doesn t is essential to growth. In one of the most amazing studies in church growth even reported, Paul Borden found that accountable leadership played a major role in almost doubling attendance within his region within five years. Borden defined accountability as, Deciding what you want to change, working hard toward that change, and finding a way to objectively measure whether change is occurring or not. (See Ref. #3) 3 rd Joy and laughter (#12). Leaders set the emotional tone. People are drawn to church communities where they experience positive emotions. Studies also show that humor, when well used, helps reduce tension and conflict. Also, joy and laughter improve health by enhancing the immune system. Next, we explore three other action essentials that have a strong impact on growth. When these are strengthened, attendance usually increases. They include: 5 th We are continually reminded of God s love for us (also enhanced spiritual well-being) 6 th Sermons that help people learn practical ways to handle everyday life (#6). 7 th The special music is excellent and soul satisfying (#2). Now, we address the outcome essential that was 4 th in it s impact on growth: 4 th This church plays a vital role in my spiritual well-being Why does developing spirituality impact growth? In 1984, Robert Schuller commissioned George Gallup to conduct a pole of American adults. One survey item asked, What would you say should be the top priority of Christians? Spiritual growth of one s self and family emerged as first choice. By offering positive practical ways to help people grow personally and spiritually, Schullers s television program, Hour of 3

4 Power eventually reached between two and three million people each week (Ref. #5). Our research confirms Schuller s experience, namely, ministries that help people develop spiritually are more likely to grow. Practical Application. What does strengthening these seven ministry essentials mean in practical terms? It means that if your church improved the average quality of the seven growth essentials at least 4 percent, your ministry would have an excellent chance of growing. People respond well when they notice that meaningful changes are being made. We strongly suggest looking at survey results with an open mind: This is where we are. This is what we want to become. We find that people in church life hunger for practical proven insights that really work. To meet this need, we are now providing a series of blogs that share new insights into the dynamics of growing transforming churches. You can click on blog found on the home page. You can also receive new blogs automatically by visiting the Stay Informed section of our blog. Be prepared for many breakthrough insights. SPECIAL INVITATION: You, the reader, have the power to help other ministries grow and transform more lives. How? By forwarding this paper to several people involved in church life. If people receiving Church Growth 101 send it to many others, this grassroots approach could significantly increase the number of churches that attract more worshippers and transform more lives. We decided to release the survey with guidelines and scoring sheet because we would love to see more churches thrive and impact more lives. REFERENCES (1) Ellsworth, R. B. and Ellsworth, J.B. (2009). Life Transforming Congregations. International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies. 6, (2) Ellsworth, R. B. and Ellsworth, J.B. (2010). Churches that Enhance Spirituality and Well-being. International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies. 7, (3) Borden, Paul (2003). Hit the Bullseye. Nashville TN: Abingdon Press. (4) Koenig, Harold G. and Cohen, Harvey Jay. The Link Between Religion and Health. Oxford University Press. New York, NY (5) Gallup, G. & Jones, S. (1989). 100 Questions and Answers: Religions in America. (p 61). Princeton, NJ. Princeton Research Center Report. 4

5 SURVEYING YOUR CONGREGATION PREPARATION 1. Before surveying, announce when Survey Sunday will occur. Let people know why you are surveying. 2. Reproduce the survey and insert into each Sunday bulletin. We recommend that surveys be printed on yellow or other colored paper. 3. Make sure there are pencils in each row of seats. 4. It s very helpful to appoint a survey coordinator. This person needs to be a detail person who makes sure that enough surveys and pencils have been prepared, that volunteers needed are available, etc. SURVEYING 5. During opening announcements on Survey Sunday, let people know that a special time has been set aside toward the end of worship to complete the survey. By having one less song or shortening announcements, surveying will not prolong your regular worship time. 6. Let people know when it s time to complete the survey, usually toward the end of service. Provide quiet instrumental music to help people relax and stay focused. It takes about five minutes to complete. 7. Some churches place collection boxes at exits with volunteers reminding people to put their survey in a box as they leave worship. Others ask congregants to pass their completed survey to the end of the row where volunteers pick them up. FOLLOW-UP 8. If your ministry wants to obtain survey responses from those who were not present on Survey Sunday, simply announce the following Sunday, If you were not here last Sunday when we surveyed our congregation, you have an opportunity to complete a survey today. We very much want your input. At the end of worship, please see (name) after worship (Ask name to stand up). 9. After reviewing your church s survey results, be sure that someone or some group is designated to carry the energy for change. An action team needs to include a pastor, a board member who communicates with other church leaders, and three or so interested others. It empowers people when members of this team take turns facilitating. 10. Be sure to re-survey in 12 to 24 months. This provides enough time for changes to have settled in. Re-surveying is essential because leaders learn how much progress has been made and which areas still needing further development. Remember, surveying twice is vitally important. Different churches have different starting places. Re-surveying allows ministries to see which essentials have improved and what needs further development. As noted earlier, we found that the best way to estimate changes in attendance was by counting the number of baseline and follow-up surveys completed. 5

6 GUIDELINES FOR SCORING We highly recommend finding or hiring someone with experience in using spreadsheets to enter the survey responses. This communicates objectivity to congregants since this person has no stake in the survey results. Using a spreadsheet makes it easy to accurately record and score the survey results. (Note: If your ministry would like Thriving Churches score your surveys and prepare a report, call (541) or revsrobjan@bendtel.net) It s important for the data entry person (DEP) to follow the process described below because the norms were based on this scoring process. Comparing your church scores with national norms will have little relevance if the process described below was not followed. Instructions for the Data Entry Person: 1. When the surveys have been completed, the data entry person needs to separate them into six piles based on length of attendance: (1) 1 to 3 times, (2) between 1 and 2 months, (3) 3 to 11 months, (4) 1 to 3 years, (5) over 3 years, and 6) those who did not check the length of time coming. 2. Combine the six piles into one, with the surveys of those coming 1, 2 or 3 times on top, between 2 and 3 months next, etc. Then, write consecutive numbers on each survey in the stack, beginning with 1 for the first survey on top of the pile. These numbers help in case you later need to locate the recording of a questionable survey. 3. For surveys completed by those coming less than 2 months (group 1 and 2), enter only their responses to the worship items I through 5. Why? Because subsequent items 6 through 19, left blank by newcomers who know little about the church, will erroneously decrease your church s scores on spiritual teachings, leadership skills and spiritual well-being. 4. We recommend that surveys, where length-of-time coming was not answered, not be recorded. Why? Because these persons may be new, not know much about the church, and leave many items blank. Blanks receiving 0 s indicate a NO answer. Including these surveys will erroneously lowers church scores. 5. Before calculating the averages for each item, carefully check the spreadsheet, searching for and correcting scores other than 0 s or 1 s for items #1 to item #19. However, item #20 (worship attendance) yields scores of 0, 1 and Compute the average percent of the congregation checking yes to items 1 to 19. Use a formula that automatically calculates averages. 7. Enter these average scores on the Survey Scoring & Norms Sheet. This will allow church leaders to identify strengths and areas that need further development. Interpreting Survey Results. From the Survey Scoring and Norms sheet (page 7), leaders can see which ministry essentials are already above normal, and which need further development. This information helps leaders set priorities regarding which aspects of ministry they want to focus on strengthening first. Remember, it s more important to improve underdeveloped essentials rather than comparing your results with other churches. Trying new things and making positive changes in essentials is what counts most. 6

7 CHURCH LIFE SURVEY Sharing your experiences in this church helps us evaluate how well we are meeting important spiritual and personal needs and to plan for the future. How long have you been coming to this church? (Check one): 1 st, 2 nd or 3 rd time Between 1 and 2 months, 2 to 11 months, 1 to 3 years, over 3 years. Instructions: Please check ( ) each statement that is TRUE for you. (1) Congregational songs here are very uplifting, inspiring and easy to sing. (2) The special music is excellent and soul satisfying (solos, choir, etc.) (3) I find the sermons here almost always inspiring and interesting. (4) Worship focuses on the mystery and wonder of God. (5) We are continually reminded here of God s love for us. (6) From the sermons, I learn practical ways to handle everyday life. (7) This church really shows people how to pray through sermons and classes. (8) This church community helps me to identify and use my spiritual gifts. (9) This ministry stresses the importance of applying spiritual teachings. (10) Church Leaders (clergy, lay leaders, staff, etc.) support trying new things. (11) Leaders are willing to evaluate and use what works, and put aside what doesn t. (12) There is a lot of joy and laughter in this place (Fold) (13) Spiritual teachings help me handle difficult times better (14) This faith community plays a vital role in my spiritual well-being. (15) I frequently feel an emotional release during worship (tearful, choked up, goose bumps, laughter, etc.) (16) I almost always leave worship feeling more uplifted than when I came. (17) I am becoming a happier more joyful person. (18) I feel enthusiastic when I talk to people about this church. (19) There is something happening here that really matters. (20) I hear people gossiping and complaining. If you have been coming for several months, please check ( ) one of the answers below. (21) Worship attendance, compared to a year ago, has... (O) Declined somewhat (1) Remained about same (2) Increased AGE RANGE (check one): Under 18, 18-39, 40-54, 55-64, 65+ GENDER (mark one): Female, Male 2012 Thriving Churches Ministry May be reproduced by churches for internal use only. 7

8 Church Life Survey Scoring and Norms Your Church # Surveyed Date s WORSHIP Norm Your Score Diff. Comments 1 Cong. Songs 81% 2 Sp. Music 85% 3 Sermons 88% 4 Mystery 77% 5 God s Love 88% Average 84% SPIRITUAL TEACHINGS 6 Sermons Practical 77% 7 Show How to Pray 62% 8 Identify/use Sp Gifts 61% 9 Apply Teachings 84% Aver. 73% LEADERSHIP SKILLS 10 Trying New Things 75% 11 Evaluate 65% 12 Joy and Laughter 88% Aver. 76% 13 Handle Diff. Times 83% SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING 14 Sp. Well-being 79% 15 Emot. Release 70% 16 Feel Uplifted 87% 17 More Joyful 72% 18 Enthusiastic 72% 19 Something Special 81% Aver. of items 77% 20 Gossip & Complain 11% (Scores between 21 Attendance Score (Key: Declining = 0.1 to.98 Growing = 1.3 to 1.9) How long coming? Norm Your % Age (Norm) Your % 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd time 5% Under 18 4% Gender (Norm) Your % Between 1&2 months 6% % Female 65% 2-11 months 10% % 1-3 year 20% % 3+ years 59% % 8