1. The Spiritual Landscape of New England
A New Study Conducted in Partnership with Vision New England and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
September 15, 2017

2. Acknowledgements
The development of this research was fueled by a group of partners who contributed both to the development of the questionnaire as well as to the content of the interview guide and completion of the interviews:
The entire research team is deeply appreciative of the following individuals’ contributions to such an extensive, detailed research study:
Dr. James Singleton, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
Ryan Howell, Vision New England
Levi Bakerink, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
Charles Fick, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
Gene Park, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
Rachel Toone, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary

3. Purpose
To provide an in-depth perspective on the current spiritual landscape of Christianity in New England.
This study seeks to establish and understand spiritual growth and vitality in New England, including its strengths and weaknesses, and to compare the perspective of current churchgoing Christians in New England to current ministry leaders.
The results are intended to:
connect
encourage
equip, and
guide
New England ministry leaders in their local context.

4. Methodology
The methodology involved mixed-methods research using both quantitative and qualitative research to investigate the experiences of New England ministry leaders and churchgoing Christians.
The basis of the research is two large-scale surveys lasting about minutes :
Addressing the perceptions and experience of Christianity in New England among ministry leaders of various types (sample size: n=364)
Addressing the same among churchgoing Christians, defined as self-identified New England Christians who have attended a church service or Bible study within the last month (sample size: n=1388, 22.6% incidence rate)
The surveys were fielded from late June through July 2017 and were followed by in-depth semi-structured interviews among 37 ministry leaders.

5. The Vitality of Christianity in New England: Comparative Perspectives between Ministry Leaders and Churchgoing Christians
Numbered items should correspond to a section header
Bullet list should correspond with themes

6. Perceptions of Christianity’s current state in New England
Churchgoing Christians in New England feel like Christianity is more connected, secure, and established than ministry leaders do. However, fewer of them feel like Christianity is growing. In fact, they’re split 50/50 on growth versus decline.
Churchgoing Christians
Ministry Leaders
Growing
Declining
Growing
Declining
Connected
Isolated
Connected
Isolated
Secure
Risky
Secure
Risky
Established
New
Established
New
Question: In terms of how Christianity is doing overall, how would you describe its current state?| In terms of how Christianity is doing overall in New England, which of the following options in each pair do you think best describes its current state?

7. Perceptions of individual church or primary ministry
Overall, ministry leaders report more concerns for their home ministry or church than the Christians who attend them. Although almost 4 out of 5 ministry leaders would describe their ministry as “established,” a third still report that their ministry feels more risky than secure. Churchgoing Christians are slightly less likely to describe their primary church or ministry as growing.
Churchgoing Christians
Ministry Leaders
Growing
Declining
Growing
Declining
Connected
Isolated
Connected
Isolated
Secure
Risky
Secure
Risky
Established
New
Established
New
Question: In terms of how your primary church or ministry is doing overall, how would you describe its current state?/ In terms of how your ministry is doing overall, how would you describe its current state?

8. What is the pulse on relationships between Christians in New England?
Churchgoing Christians and ministry leaders in New England share similar – and generally positive - opinions on the state of relationships between Christians in New England. However, Christians are less likely than ministry leaders to describe these relationships as active. This may be because of their own felt need to receive more outreach from their fellow believers.
Churchgoing Christians
Ministry Leaders
Connected
Isolated
Connected
Isolated
Growing
Declining
Growing
Declining
Active
Passive
Active
Passive
Diverse
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Homogenous
Diverse
Homogenous
Question: How would you describe your relationships and interactions with other Christians? / When you think about the people that your ministry serves, how would you describe the Christians’ relationships and interactions with each other?

9. Churchgoing Christians
What is the pulse on relationships between Christians and non-Christians?
True to their expressed frustrations, ministry leaders are more concerned for the relationships between Christians and non-Christians than Christians are themselves. About half of leaders see these relationships as passive and declining, and more than a third are concerned that relationships between Christians and non-Christians are more homogeneous than diverse. Still, most ministry leaders and church-going Christians express a sense of connectedness.
Churchgoing Christians
Ministry Leaders
Connected
Isolated
Connected
Isolated
Growing
Declining
Growing
Declining
Active
Passive
Active
Passive
Diverse
Homogenous
Diverse
Homogenous
Question: : How would you describe your relationships and interactions with people of other faiths or no faith / When you think about the people that your ministry serves, how would you describe the Christians’ relationships and interactions with people of other faiths or no faith?

10. Churchgoing Christians in New England: Demographic Profile, Habits, and Beliefs
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Bullet list should correspond with themes

11. Profile of Churchgoers
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12. Profile of Churchgoers
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13. New England Christian’s Faith Beliefs
Conviction in orthodox Christian beliefs and attitudes is weak among New England Christians, especially around questions of evangelism.
All
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Jesus Christ was crucified and raised from the dead to conquer sin and death.
65%
24% 8% 1%
God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each is fully God and there is one God.
64%
23% 9% 2%
God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, perfect creator of the universe who rules the world today.
61%
13%
My faith is important in my life today.
59%
30%
When he lived on earth, Jesus Christ was both human and sinless.
55%
14% 5%
I have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in my life today.
28% 3%
The Bible is the authoritative and inspired Word of God.
51%
29% 4%
The devil, or Satan, is a real and living being who works evil in the world.
45%
25%
17%
Part of my faith means being a witness about Jesus.
43%
33%
19%
I, personally, have a responsibility to share my faith with other people.
37%
31% 7%
Analysis with single graphic – works well with horizontal graphs, especially stacked
Question: The following is a list of statements that represent a wide variety of people’s beliefs. Please indicate whether you, personally, agree or disagree with each statement.

14. Faith Beliefs by State
Residents of both Rhode Island and Maine generally demonstrate higher conviction in orthodox Christian attitudes and beliefs. Overall, residents of Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut show the lowest conviction in orthodox Christianity attitudes and beliefs.
% STRONGLY AGREE
All adults CT RI MA VT NH ME
Jesus Christ was crucified and raised from the dead to conquer sin and death.
65%
64%
67%
62%
69%
68%
75%
God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
each is fully God and there is one God.
63%
73%
61%
56%
76%
God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, perfect creator of the universe who rules the world today.
59%
58%
57%
70%
My faith is important in my life today.
55%
60%
When he lived on earth, Jesus Christ was both human and sinless.
54%
53%
I have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in my life today.
51%
52%
66%
The Bible is the authoritative and inspired Word of God.
49%
47%
42%
The devil, or Satan, is a real and living being who works evil in the world.
45%
41%
43%
Part of my faith means being a witness about Jesus.
40%
I, personally, have a responsibility to share my faith with other people.
37%
30%
44%
36%
39%
Analysis with single graphic – works well with horizontal graphs, especially stacked
Question: The following is a list of statements that represent a wide variety of people’s beliefs. Please indicate whether you, personally, agree or disagree with each statement.

15. Ministry Leaders in New England: Demographic Profile, Habits, and Beliefs
Numbered items should correspond to a section header
Bullet list should correspond with themes

16. Profile of Ministry Leaders: Origin and Role
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Question: Which region best describes where you grew up?/ Which of the following statements best describes the vocational nature of your current role in ministry?/ Which of the following statements best describes the organizational nature of your current role in ministry?

17. Profile of Ministry Leaders
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18. Age-Specific Differences in Ministry Leaders’ Profile
Most ministry leaders surveyed serve or worship with non-mainline denominations, and a third of them serve or worship with non-denominational denominations. Older ministry leaders are more likely to serve or worship with mainline denomination. Younger ministry leaders are less likely to be natively from New England.
Note: Non-denominational is a sub-segment of non-mainline.

19. Leaders’ Faith Beliefs, by Age
Overall ministry leaders demonstrate strong adherence to the faith beliefs and attitudes of orthodox Christianity. However, as might be suggested by the denominational distribution among ministry leaders, strong agreement to the faith beliefs and attitudes of orthodox Christianity wavers a bit among the oldest segment of ministry leaders, especially for the nature of the devil, or Satan.
% STRONGLY AGREE
All
<40 yrs
40-59 yrs
60+ yrs
Jesus Christ was crucified and raised from the dead to conquer sin and death.
94%
95%
96%
90%
When he lived on earth, Jesus Christ was both human and sinless.
89%
God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each is fully God and there is one God.
93%
My faith is very important in my life today.
88%
The Bible is the authoritative and inspired Word of God.
92%
87%
The devil, or Satan, is a real and living being who works evil in the world.
86%
80%
Analysis with single graphic – works well with horizontal graphs, especially stacked
Question: The following is a list of statements that represent a wide variety of people’s beliefs. Please indicate whether you, personally, agree or disagree with each statement.

20. Leadership Identity by Leader’s Age
Young ministry leaders are most likely to feel like they are best described as an entrepreneur in their ministry role, while more of them (almost a third) describe their role more as that of a referee than a doctor. Older leaders identify more closely with a managerial role than an entrepreneurial role year olds report the strongest sense of leadership identity.
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Question: Please pick the best possible description in each of the following pairs.

21. Ministry Leaders in New England: Ministry Characteristics

22. Ministry Areas and Locations
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Question: Please indicate which one of the following ministry spheres you are primarily involved in? | Which of the following options best describes the geographic focus of your ministry?

23. Ministry Finances
More ministry leaders in Connecticut report the largest ministry budget category. However, ministry leaders in Maine are the most likely to report their ministry as feeling financially secure.
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Question: Which category best describes your ministry’s annual budget? | Some non-profit organizations use a system of categories to understand how people view their financial reality. Based on this system, which of the following categories would you place your ministry or congregation in:

24. Ages Ministry Serves
Ministry leaders tend to focus on serving those who are near, or slightly younger than, them in age.
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Question: When you think about the people that your ministry serves, about what percentage fall into each of the following categories?

25. Demographic Groups Ministry Serves
Question: When you think about the people that your ministry serves, about what percentage fall into each of the following categories?
Ministry location heavily influences the composition of the ministry audience.
Percent of Ministries Serving
Each Group (i.e.: 29% say Native New Englanders comprise <50% of those they serve)
Percent Serving Each Category by Ministry Location
Urban
Suburban
Small town / rural
Native New Englanders
<50%
50%
28%
11%
50-74%
43%
26%
75% plus
22%
29%
63%
From another part of the U.S.
<10%
12%
10-24%
33%
31%
42%
25% plus
57%
36%
Immigrants from another country
30%
82%
32%
48%
13%
38%
16% 5%
Half of ministry leaders would say people from other countries make up less than 10% of their church.

26. Faith Groups Ministry Serves
Percent Serving Each Category, by Ministry Location
Urban
Suburban
Small town / rural
Other faith / no faith: <10%
55%
56%
63%
10-24%
23%
32%
25% plus
22%
12% 6%
Exploring Christianity: <10%
47%
43%
10-19%
34%
39%
35%
20% plus
20%
19% 9%
Recent converts to Christianity: <10%
37%
41%
36%
33%
45%
24%
26%
Loosely identified with Christianity: <10%
27%
30%
61%
17%
13%
14%
Long-term commitment to Christianity: <50%
15%
50-74%
75% plus
38%
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Question: When you think about the people that your ministry serves, about what percentage fall into each of the following categories?

27. Ministry Effectiveness
Leaders rate their own ministries as most effective in teaching and preaching, followed by hospitality and community, and they are most concerned over whether their ministries are effective at mercy and social justice as well as evangelism and outreach.
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Question: Please rank your ministry’s effectiveness in each of the following categories:

28. Leaders’ Thoughts on the Current State of their Ministry
Leaders overall report positive descriptions of their ministries, While 34% are more likely to describe their ministry as risky rather than secure, the top best descriptions of ministry are either growing or established.
Question: In terms of how your ministry is doing overall, how would you describe its current state? | If you could only choose one option to best describe your ministry’s overall current state, which one of your previous choices would you select?

29. Ministry Leaders in New England: Relationships in Ministry

30. Ministry Leaders’ Relationships
The average leader has six close relationships with other ministry leaders or ministry organizations in New England. Most of their primary sense of community and support in ministry is derived from peers in ministry in New England or immediate colleagues in their ministry role. However, only a quarter of leaders report collaborating with ministry partners at least once a month, and almost half say they collaborate less than a few times a year.
Question: Outside of your family, from where do you derive your primary sense of community and support in ministry? | How many times a year does your ministry engage in an event or collaborative effort with other ministry partners?

31. Connection to the Broader Landscape of Christian Ministry
While two-thirds of ministry leaders feel at least somewhat connected to the broader ministry landscape in New England, it is important to note that a third of ministry leaders feel somewhat or very disconnected from the broader ministry landscape in New England.
Question: Which of the following best describes your sense of connection to the broader landscape of Christian ministry in New England?

32. Churchgoing Christians in New England: Deep Dive on Faith Segments

33. Faith Segments: Churchgoing New England Christians
32% of churchgoing Christians in New England are Evangelicals according to four specific measures of theological affirmation. 41% of churchgoing Christians are non-practicing, meaning that they do not strongly agree that their faith is very important in their life today.
Note: 97% of Evangelicals qualify as practicing Christians.

34. Profile of the Different Faith Segments
Practicing Catholics in New England are much older than all other faith segments. On the whole, more Evangelicals and practicing Protestants are Millennials and Gen-Xers than among non-practicing Christians. Non-practicing Christians are more likely to be male and less-likely to be female than other faith groups.

35. Profile of the different Faith Segments
The majority of all New England churchgoing Christians attend a well-established church, but Evangelicals and practicing Protestants are more likely to attend a church plant or church relatively new to their community.

36. Faith Beliefs by Faith Segment
Practicing Christians in NE demonstrate shaky conviction about evangelistic attitudes. Churchgoing Christians who do not affirm the importance of faith in their present life display very low levels of fidelity to orthodox Christian beliefs, reinforcing the observation by ministry leaders that apathy to spiritual things is a major issue in New England Christianity.
% STRONGLY AGREE
All adults
Evangelical
Practicing Protestant
Practicing Catholic
Non- Practicing
Jesus Christ was crucified and raised from the dead to conquer sin and death.
65%
100%
90%
84%
32%
God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each is fully God and there is one God.
64%
97%
86%
God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, perfect creator of the universe who rules the world today.
61%
95%
83%
73%
31%
My faith is very important in my life today.
56% -
When he lived on earth, Jesus Christ was both human and sinless.
55%
94%
80%
70%
23%
I have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in my life today.
87%
74%
14%
The Bible is the authoritative and inspired Word of God.
51%
81%
54%
18%
The devil, or Satan, is a real and living being who works evil in the world.
45%
16%
Part of my faith means being a witness about Jesus.
43%
58% 8%
I, personally, have a responsibility to share my faith with other people.
38%
41% 5%
Analysis with single graphic – works well with horizontal graphs, especially stacked
Question: The following is a list of statements that represent a wide variety of people’s beliefs. Please indicate whether you, personally, agree or disagree with each statement.

37. Salvation Beliefs by Faith Segments
Non-practicing Christians, and to a lesser extent, practicing Catholics demonstrate a broader variety of beliefs about salvation and life after death than practicing protestants or Evangelicals.
Evangelicals
Practicing
Protestant
Catholic
Non-Practicing
I will go to Heaven because I have tried to obey the 10 Commandments. 5% 2%
12%
I will go to Heaven because I am basically a good person 3% 4%
16%
17%
I will go to Heaven because I have repented of my sins and believe in Jesus Christ as my savior.
85%
81%
52%
33%
I will go to Heaven because God loves all people and will not let them perish. 6% 9%
11%
Nothing happens after I die.
<1% 0%
I’m not sure what happens
22%
Question: Which of these statements most closely describes your belief about what will happen after you die?

38. Church Characteristics by Faith Segment
The majority of all New England churchgoing Christians attend a well-established church, but Evangelicals and practicing Protestants are more likely to attend a church plant or church relatively new to their community.
Question: Which of the following best describes your local church ..

39. Church Characteristics by Faith Segment
On the whole, Evangelicals and practicing Protestants attend or participate in younger churches or ministries than practicing Catholics or non-practicing Christians
Question: Thinking of the overall group of adults who participate in your church or primary ministry, which age group would you say is the largest?

40. Ministry Effectiveness by Faith Segment: Evangelism and Outreach
Question: Please rank your church or primary ministry’s effectiveness in each of the following categories: evangelism and outreach.

41. Ministry Effectiveness by Faith Segment: Hospitality and Community
Question: Please rank your church or primary ministry’s effectiveness in each of the following categories: hospitality and community

42. Ministry Effectiveness by Faith Segment: Teaching and Preaching
Question: Please rank your church or primary ministry’s effectiveness in each of the following categories: teaching and preaching

43. Ministry Effectiveness by Faith Segment: Worship and Liturgy
Question: Please rank your church or primary ministry’s effectiveness in each of the following categories: worship and liturgy

44. Ministry Effectiveness by Faith Segment: Mercy and Social Justice\
Question: Please rank your church or primary ministry’s effectiveness in each of the following categories: mercy and social justice

45. Volunteerism Inside Church or Ministry by Faith Segment
Question: Do you actively volunteer within your primary church or ministry?

46. Relationships Between Christians by Faith Segment
Practicing Christians are more likely than non-practicing Christians to positively rate their relationships with other Christians. They are more than twice as likely to describe those relationships as “connected,” “growing,” or “active.”
Practicing Christians
Non-Practicing Christians
Connected
Isolated
Connected
Isolated
Growing
Declining
Growing
Declining
Active
Passive
Active
Passive
Diverse
Homogenous
Diverse
Homogenous
Question: How would you describe your relationships and interactions with other Christians? / When you think about the people that your ministry serves, how would you describe the Christians’ relationships and interactions with each other?

47. Relationships between Christians and Non-Christians by Faith Segment
Practicing Christians are also more likely than non-practicing Christians to positively rate their relationships with people of other faiths or no faith. They are significantly more likely to describe those relationships as “active” rather than “passive’ compared to non-practicing Christians.
Practicing Christians
Non-Practicing Christians
Connected
Isolated
Connected
Isolated
Growing
Declining
Growing
Declining
Active
Passive
Active
Passive
Diverse
Homogenous
Diverse
Homogenous
Question: How would you describe your relationships and interactions with people of other faiths or no faith / When you think about the people that your ministry serves, how would you describe the Christians’ relationships and interactions with people of other faiths or no faith?

48. Perceptions of Christianity’s Current State in New England
Overall, non-practicing Christians are less likely to describe Christianity in New England as “isolated” or “risky” than practicing Christians, but more likely to describe it as “declining.”
Practicing Christians
Non-Practicing Christians
Growing
Declining
Growing
Declining
Connected
Isolated
Connected
Isolated
Secure
Risky
Secure
Risky
Established
New
Established
New
Question: In terms of how Christianity is doing overall, how would you describe its current state?| In terms of how Christianity is doing overall in New England, which of the following options in each pair do you think best describes its current state?

49. Perception of the State of Christianity in New England by Faith Segment
Practicing Catholics and non-practicing Christians are more likely than Evangelicals or practicing Protestants to feel that Christianity in New England is weakening. Conversely, Evangelicals and practicing Protestants are more likely to see growth.
Question: What is your perception of the state of Christianity in New England?

50. Perception of the Comparative State of Christianity in New England
However, when put in contract to the rest of the country, non-practicing Christians and practicing Catholics are much more likely to think that the state of Christianity is about the same, where practicing Protestants and Evangelicals are more likely to be concerned that New England Christianity is weaker.
Question: What is your perception of the state of Christianity in New England compared to the rest of the United States?

51. Ministry Leaders: Perceptions of the Current Spiritual State of New England

52. Leaders’ Thoughts on Current State of Christianity In New England
Compared to churchgoing Christians, ministry leaders in New England are more likely to see Christianity growing in New England, but they are also much more likely to express concern that it is “isolated” or ”risky.” While a third say the best description for current New England Christianity is “growing,” half of ministry leaders would choose “declining,” “risky,” or “isolated’ as their top description.
Question: In terms of how Christianity is doing overall in New England, which of the following options in each pair do you think best describes its current state? | If you could only choose one option to best describe the overall current state of Christianity in New England, which of the previous options would you choose?

53. Leaders’ Thoughts on Overall Vitality
While New England ministry leaders have much more optimism than churchgoing Christians about the state of New England Christianity’s growth, the majority of leaders are concerned that compared to the rest of the United States, Christianity is weaker.
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Question: What is your perception of the state of Christianity in New England? | What is your perception of the state of Christianity in New England compared to the rest of the United States?

54. Ministry Leaders’ Perceptions of Christianity in New England
58% of New England ministry leaders agree that their perception of Christianity in New England has improved since they began serving in ministry in this New England. However, 24% of them disagree and almost 1 in 5 are neutral or unchanged in their perception of Christianity.
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Question: Please rate your agreement to the following statements: My perception of Christianity in New England has improved since I began serving in ministry in New England.

55. Actual Perceived Growth in Christianity
As seen in the other data, ministry leaders are split regarding whether overall Christianity is growing in New England. About half of ministry leaders agree that Christianity has grown since they began serving in ministry in the region. However, nearly one-third of ministry leaders disagree and suggest that Christianity may be decline. Another one-fifth is unsure or think Christianity has not changed during their tenure.
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Question: Please rate your agreement to the following statements: Christianity overall has grown since I began serving ministry in New England.

56. Perceived Growth in Christianity by Tenure in Ministry
Ministry leaders who have served for over 25 years are least likely to suggest that Christianity remains unchanged since they began service in ministry, and are more likely than other leaders to strongly feel that Christianity is growing… or in decline (although fewer think so overall).
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Question: Please rate your agreement to the following statements: Christianity overall has grown since I began serving ministry in New England.

57. Ministry Leaders’ Thoughts on Changes in New England Christianity
Younger ministry leaders are more likely to openly report about the rise in church plants or a sense of growth or quiet revival. Older ministry leaders are more likely to focus on the growth in diversity and immigration.
Question: From your perspective, how is Christianity in New England changing today?

58. Ministry Leaders’ Perceptions of Christianity’s Relative Strength since 1970
Overall, the data tells a positive trend, but this trend differs widely by ministry leaders’ respective longevity doing ministry in New England
Question: Think back over the years you have served in ministry in New England and how Christianity in New England has changed during that time. Starting during the range of your first years of ministry in New England, please indicate on the thermometer whether you saw New England Christianity as strong or weak at that time.

59. Ministry Leaders’ Perceptions of Christianity’s Relative Strength since 1970
Question: Think back over the years you have served in ministry in New England and how Christianity in New England has changed during that time. Starting during the range of your first years of ministry in New England, please indicate on the thermometer whether you saw New England Christianity as strong or weak at that time.

60. Change map to grey and text to Barna Red