A Volley from the Canon, Number 92 Growth and Decline 2

A VOLLEY FROM THE CANON, 92

EPISCOPAL CHURCH GROWTH AND DECLINE, PART II

FACTORS LEADING TO GROWTH

1. Newer Congregations grow more:
67% of those established since 1993 are growing.
53% , established 1969—1992
25%, established 1946—1968
26%, established 1901—1945
35% , established pre 1900

2. Location means—a little.

Newer suburbs or downtown congregations-- 39% are growing
Rural area, small town, small city—34-35% are growing
Older suburb or older residential area—25%

3. Churches with lots of newcomers are likely to grow (duh!):
(I won’t cloud those waters with numbers.)

4. Tech savy helps (email, website, podcasts, Twitter, etc.):

No or one kind—21% are growing
Two types—32%
Three types—38^
Four or more types—44%

5. Wanting growth does help:

Congregation not supportive of growth—21% growing anyway
Congregations somewhat supportive—31% growing
Congregations strongly supportive—39% growing

6. Variety in Sunday morning worship helps some:

Where there is one service—35% are growing
Where multiple services are similar—29%
Where multiple services are somewhat different—29%
Where multiple services are very different—39%