© Strategy and Development Unit, Church of England Church Growth Research Programme: An update on progress at the 12-month stage Resource Strategy & Development Unit

A robust, in-depth, study of the causes of church growth within the Church of England Inform resource allocation decisions / provide tools for diocesan & parishes leaders to support growth Church Growth The Church Growth Research Programme

The research project contains three strands… Data analysis Church profiling Cathedrals, Fresh Expressions, Church Planting & Benefice Structure

Data analysis (University of Essex) Making use of annual returns & other data sets & applying a range of statistical techniques. A significant amount of data cleansing work has been undertaken.

Survey has been sent to 3,700 incumbents – though most of it can be completed by a lay person. Collecting church level data on a range of factors which the annual returns do not cover Data will be linked to other data sets. Less than 30 minutes to complete – web based Heading for c40% response rate. Survey closes at the end of June, analysis will be undertaken over the summer. © Strategy and Development Unit, Church of England Church profiling survey (Essex)

Cathedrals (Cranmer Hall, Durham)  Survey of Deans – most responded.  Qualitative research days amongst members of cathedral chapters and other staff.  Detailed congregational surveys for 4 Cathedrals (Birmingham, Gloucester, Southwell & Wakefield) © Strategy and Development Unit, Church of England

Team ministries & amalgamation of benefices (Durham)

Fresh Expressions (Durham & Church Army’s Research Unit)  An in-depth study of FX in 12 dioceses.  6 dioceses (Liverpool, Leicester, Canterbury, Derby, Chelmsford & Norwich) already researched.  Liverpool: 78 FX, attendance 2,885, adding 10% to diocesan attendance.  Chelmsford: 50 FX, attendance 1,830, adding 4% to diocesan attendance. © Strategy and Development Unit, Church of England

Further findings from the Fresh Expressions strand  Six dioceses to date were all in decline , yet attendance drawn to FX’s in all 6 cases is greater than the decline.  For every 1 person sent, 2.5 others are there now.  On average so far, the FX are 15% of the churches of the diocese and 10% of its attendance.  On average, 76% of the FX’s are taking some steps in discipleship with those who come, 35% of those coming are de-churched and 42% are non-churched. © Strategy and Development Unit, Church of England

Church Planting (OxCEPT)  In-depth study of 24 ‘Church Plants’.  Researchers spending 1-3 days which each plant.  Considering a range of different types of church plants (e.g. Missional communities, BMO’s) and a wide range of issues relating to planting.  Not just London focused. © Strategy and Development Unit, Church of England

Outputs and outcomes... Findings from the various strands integrated In depth report with academic integrity Practical guides and tools to help people on the ground Stimulate the church growth research field Not definitive answers to all the questions – though some rich evidence to inform thinking. Widely disseminated

© Strategy and Development Unit, Church of England