Authors offer surveys to aid religious growth

By Helen T. Gray
Knight Ridder News Service

Pastors and church leaders may view the following statements from pollster George Gallup Jr. as depressing, encouraging or challenging:

• Americans are experiencing an intense search and hunger for the spiritual and an unprecedented desire for religious and spiritual growth.
• Many Americans seem not to know what they believe or why. And many hold traditional and nontraditional beliefs at the same time.
• Religious faith is broad but not deep, with many Americans holding strong beliefs but seeing little impact that religious faith has on individual lives and society.
• God is popular but is not first in many people's lives. "Belief in God" does not necessarily translate into "trust in God."

In Gallup's opinion, some churches will do a reality check on the needs — physical and spiritual — of their members and their surrounding community. These are the ones that will grasp their mission and thrive while others will be left behind and bewildered.

Gallup, chairman of the George H. Gallup International Institute, and D. Michael Lindsay, consultant to the Institute for Religion and Culture, explore the state of churches in "The Gallup Guide: Reality Check for 21st Century Churches."

The book, published last year, presents a survey of the religious landscape and sample questionnaires that congregations can reproduce for their own use. Although mainly directed at Christians, some surveys can be adapted to other faiths.

"We believe that survey research has never been more needed than it is today to help church leaders ascertain where people are in the religious and spiritual growth process and the steps needed to help them mature in their faith," the authors said.

The value of surveys has been long recognized in the economic, political and social realms, but less so among local churches, Lindsay said. But it is important that churches in the 21st century use all tools at their disposal, including surveys, he said.

"There are a lot of strategic decisions made by leaders in churches, and they are not in touch with the rest of the members," he said.

In his endorsement of the book, pastor and author Max Lucado said "the possibilities of research-based — rather than hunch-based — decisions are exciting."

The authors show that it is a mistake for congregational leaders to take for granted the beliefs of the people who attend services. "Pastors who think they know their churches might be in for some surprises," Gallup said.

The authors found that: "Americans ... are practicing a do-it-yourself, whatever-works kind of religion, picking and choosing among beliefs and practices of various faith traditions." Much of this is due to a lack of religious education and awareness of their own religious traditions.

"The challenges to churches in their efforts to bring the populace to a deeper, more informed and committed level of spirituality or religious faith are indeed formidable. Yet, in the present climate, the opportunities to do so seem unparalleled."

This is where the sample surveys can help, Gallup said. Those in the book already have been tested and tried, but congregations can use them as a guide and develop their own.

Gallup and Lindsay provide step-by-step instructions on how to collect data, draft a questionnaire, reduce error, process the questionnaire, analyze the data, report the results and, finally, mobilize for action.

The Rev. Chris Cook of Parkade Baptist Church in Columbia, Mo., wanted to find out the members' perception of the strengths and weaknesses of the church and direction for future ministry. He used the information and surveys in the book as guidelines and developed his own questionnaire.

"I think surveys are helpful," he said. "It gives leadership a picture of the congregation's feelings, attitudes, thoughts and perceptions about what's important. From a leader's perception, it gave me an opportunity to know how to lead the church."

The congregation, which averages 200 on Sunday mornings, had held contemporary and traditional services for several years. Because of the survey, it has consolidated them into one service.

"One problem was that the quality of worship was not where it should be," Cook said. "We were spreading our staff too thin with two services."

What won't come directly from surveys is the answer to the question, "What does God want you to do as a church leader?" said the Rev. Jim Cirillo of Trinity Episcopal Church in Buckingham, Pa.

"If what comes out of a survey is different from what you feel God wants, you may have to start with small groups and do consensus building, explaining what you feel God is telling them to do," he said.

Although churches are facing a lot of challenges, Lindsay said they are up to the task.

"I am optimistic that the church is the single greatest change agent to make a difference to transform itself and the world," he said.