U.S. Congregational Life Survey
Results from ELCA members who participated in the 2001 study
The ELCA sponsored two U.S. Congregations studies in 2001. Three different surveys were included in each study:
- a survey for each person age 15 and older attending worship,
- a survey to be completed by a pastor of the congregation,
- and a congregational profile survey describing the congregation's size, number and type of worship services, and other descriptive information.
The first study was of a random sample of ELCA congregations during the week of April 29, 2001. Invitations to participate were sent to 1,183 congregations. From this group,
476 agreed to participate. In the end,
422 congregations distributed surveys during worship and sent them in to be tabulated.
The second was a study of a group of growing ELCA congregations during the week of October 22, 2001 or October 29, 2001. To be invited to participate a congregation had to have an average worship attendance between 100 and 600 in the year 2000, grow in attendance every year between 1995 and 2000, and have a five year total growth of 25 for congregations with 100 to
300 attendance, 45 for congregations with 301 to 500 attendance, and 75 for congregations with 501 to 600. In all, 323 congregations met these criteria and were invited to participate. From this group 153 agreed to participate. In the end, 122 congregations distributed surveys during worship and sent them in to be tabulated.
(Note: All of the following documents are PDFs
)
Questions by Congregational Reports
Beliefs
- Beliefs About The Bible, Creation, God, Jesus, Satan [2001]
- Beliefs and Experiences About God, Holy Communion, Private Devotions [2001]
- Social and Political Issues [2001]
Congregational Life
- Church Background, Schools Attended, Congregational Involvement [2001]
- Lutheran Identity, Spreading the Faith, Lutheran Media [2001]
- Volunteering, Wider Community Involvement, Media, Confidence in Institutions [2001]
Giving
- Congregational Giving, Money, Tithing, Pledging, Other Giving [2001]
Leadership
- Pastor's Style and Communications, Vision, Goal and Direction Setting [2001]
- Pastor's Role and Style, Congregational Future and Excitement [2001]
Worship/Faith Practices
- Worship, Worship Experiences, Worship Preferences [2001]
- Faith Practices, Faith and Worship, Denominations [2001]
Random Sample Congregation Reports
- Age of ELCA attendees compared to the U.S. population [2001]
- How Attendees Answered the U.S. Congregational Life Survey [2001]
- How Leaders Answered the U.S. Congregational Life Survey [2001]
- A Descriptive Profile of the Congregations as Described by the Pastor or Other Leader [2001]
Growing Congregation Reports
- How Attendees Answered the U.S. Congregational Life Survey [2001]
- How Leaders Answered the U.S. Congregational Life Survey [2001]
- A Descriptive Profile of the Congregations as Described by the Pastor or Other Leader [2001]
Questions by Category