The Washington Episcopal Clergy Association is highlighting a research study by Faith Communities Today entitled FACTs on Growth: 2010.
Prepared by C. Kirk Hadaway, Church Officer for Congregational Research at The Episcopal Church, FACTs on Growth finds that churches that are more like to experience growth are spiritually vital and alive, have strong, permanent leadership, enjoy joyful, innovative and inspirational worship, have multiple worship services, and a clear sense of mission and purpose.
The clear message of the FACTs on Growth: 2010 report is that in today’s environment of rapidly changing demographics and shifting paradigms, church growth and decline are primarily dependent upon a congregation’s internal culture, program and leadership, and therefore a congregation’s own ability to change and adapt to the changes around it without losing its core vision and values.
The article brings out several other findings in the report including commentary on “Vitality, Vision & Mission”, “Joyful Worship”, “Children in Worship”, and “Members who invite New People”.