by Sherri Doty and Efraim Espinoza

The CCSP (Cooperative Congregational Studies Project) is a joint effort with 44 faith groups and denominations to assess religious life on the congregational level. This project is the most extensive survey of religious congregations ever conducted in the United States. Coordinated by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, Hartford Seminary, the CCSP is partially funded by the Lilly Endowment.

In March 1998 the Board of Administration approved the General Council of the Assemblies of God to participate in this project. FACT (Faith Communities Today) is the research and educational program of CCSP. A joint FACT survey instrument was developed and tested over a 5-year period. It surveyed local pastors about various aspects of their churches, from spiritual vitality to space for parking.

A random sample survey of 958 A/G (Assemblies of God) churches was drawn in February 2000; 619 churches responded for an excellent survey response rate of 65%.

The survey found that overall A/G (Assemblies of God) pastors feel positive about their congregational identity, worship, programs, buildings, and finances. The results document our churches’ uses of resources to promote spiritual life for participants and support for community members. What follows are excerpts from their responses (with survey question numbers in parentheses for easy reference).

1. Congregational Identity & Worship

Respondents felt positive about the nature of their churches. The majority responded "quite" or "very" well to descriptions such as being spiritually vital and alive (I1B), having a clear sense of mission and purpose (I1M), and clearly expressing their A/G heritage (I1F).

Respondents were less likely to report having a strong racial/ethnic heritage that they were trying to preserve (I1J), or working for social justice (I1C).

The vast majority encourages public expression of speaking in tongues (I1Q).

Over half report that the style of their current primary worship service has changed somewhat to a great deal during the past five years (I7).

An overwhelming majority (90% or more) indicated that Scripture (I8A) and the presence of the Holy Spirit (I8B) are absolutely foundational sources of authority in the worship of their congregations . However, three-fourths of respondents chose Scripture as the single most important source (I8F).

2. History, Location, and Building

The median year in which the congregation began worship at its current location is 1979 (II3). Average seating capacity is 281 (II5).

Over half of pastors felt the space for parking for the congregation was just about right, or even more than they needed (II6D).

3. Congregational Programs and Practices

Almost one-fourth of respondents have sports teams during a season or ongoing through the year (III2L).

A great deal of emphasis on personal practices was reported by 72% of churches on personal prayer (III3A); 55% on abstaining from premarital sex (III3H); and 45% abstaining from alcohol (III3E).

Over half of churches reported having their own food pantry or soup kitchen (III5A). The average number served each month (through food pantries, daycare, prison ministry, etc.) per church is an astonishing 391 people (III6)!

4. Leadership & Organizational Dynamics

• 11% of congregations have co-pastors (IV2A).
• 18% of senior pastors are full time and have outside employment (IV2E).
• 27% of pastors reported their highest level of ministerial education is a certificate or correspondence program (IV2I).

The proportion of churches purchasing materials or supplies primarily/exclusively outside the A/G is 9% (IV8).

V. Participants

More than half of respondents estimate that most or all of the high school age children of their adult participants are involved in the activities of the congregation (V7).

VI. Finances

Over half of informants report that the congregation’s finances are good to excellent (VI1A).

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