In order for the church to thrive at various levels, leaders must understand the contexts in which they operate. The Episcopal Church has a wealth of data both from its own internal reporting as well as from participation in additional research projects. There are also enhanced online tools that enable scholars and leaders to better understand the demographic and societal contexts around them. Statistical information and analysis can help guide our knowledge of change and progress within the church, as well as trends outside the church that are impactful. Data also helps to spot issues that need to be resolved and drive future planning. This presentation will discuss important trends in congregations and clergy across The Episcopal Church, within the wider context of American societal changes.
This presentation will explore historical data from the Parochial Report (which has been collected in some form for over a century), as well as data from The Episcopal Church’s participation in ecumenical and interfaith studies through Faith Communities Today (https://faithcommunitiestoday.org/) and the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations (EPIC) study (https://www.covidreligionresearch.org/) that provide broader insights beyond just attendance or financial data, as well as how The Episcopal Church fits within the wider context of the American Religious landscape.
This presentation will also offer theological reflection on how the data can inform decisions around the future of The Episcopal Church at the local and churchwide level. Additionally, this presentation will explore online tools that are available to help congregations, dioceses, and researchers explore data from the churches in their demographic context. From trends in parochial report data to census data to climate and historical data, there are many resources available to congregational and diocesan leaders to more deeply engage with their neighborhoods and to learn how to make data-informed decisions for the future. This presentation will walk through a variety of online tools available for research and strategic planning.
This presentation will promote a contextual understanding of ministry by examining key trends in congregations and clergy within The Episcopal Church using historical and current data sources. It will offer analysis from the Parochial Report, ecumenical studies, and pandemic-related research to contextualize The Episcopal Church within the broader landscape of American religion. Additionally, it will offer theological reflections on how data can inform future decision-making at local and churchwide levels. The session will also introduce various online tools that help researchers, congregations, and dioceses explore demographic, census, and historical data to support strategic planning and community engagement.