Life in the church? Findings from the May 2013 2 1 st Century Evangelicals report

1. Life in the church?Findings from the May 2013 21st Century Evangelicals report

2. Our panel of respondents • In February 2013 1,864 Christians responded to the latest wave of the panel survey, this one being about church life. • There was a response rate of 36% overall and around 71% for the people who had taken part in the previous survey. • Respondents were 53% Male, 47% Female. • 31% were Anglican, 18% Charismatic, 18% Baptist, plus a variety of other denominations.

3. Snapshot

4. Snapshot

6. Our churches • 71% have good links and partnerships with other local churches • 59% are predominantly middle class • 47% have people from most of the different ethnic and social groups living in their locality • 47% are good at providing for and including people with disabilities, learning disabilities and mental health issues • 41% have a large number of committed young people (under-25) attending What are the strengths and weaknesses of our church? Is our church representative of the community around us?

7. Hours spent on church leadership and ministry • 68% of sole church leaders spend over 40 hours per week • 42% of church leaders’ spouses spend 6-10 hours per week • 29% of those who are not church leaders spend 6-10 hours per week • 11% of those who are not church leaders spend over 11 hours per week Does our church expect our leader to do everything, or too much? Are lots of people in our church given opportunities to be involved? Is the amount of time we spend on church activities stopping us spending time with non-Christians?

8. What do we think about church leaders? • 88% respect the authority of their church leader • 84% think that church members in general offer good support to their leader (but less – 77% - of church leaders felt they received good support) • 77% said they would usually strive to follow the advice or implement the decisions of their church leader • 67% are inspired by the example of their church leader • 63% regularly and personally pray for their church leader Do we pray for our church leaders? Does our church leader actually feel supported?

9. Getting involved • 87% attend Sunday morning worship weekly • 63% attend a home/small fellowship group weekly or fortnightly • 34% attend weekly or fortnightly prayer meetings/groups • 26% meet another church member for a drink weekly or fortnightly • 24% attend Sunday afternoon or evening worship weekly Is prayer prioritised enough in our church? Do people in our church attend and enjoy home groups? Why or why not?

10. Moving church? • 93% had regularly attended at least one other church before their current one • 57% had been part of their previous church for more than five years before moving • 58% moved church following moving home • 20% moved because they felt called to serve in their new church • 20% moved because of problems or frustrations with their previous church Why do people move on from our church? Does our church deal with problems and issues well?

11. Church growth? • Over 70% believe that attendance at their own church would increase over the next 20 years • 47% agree or strongly agree that their church is currently growing in number • However only 41% were expecting growth in church attendance at the national level Do we believe our church will increase in size in the next 20 years? Are we really prepared for the changes that will happen if new people join our church? Do we pray for church growth – locally and nationally?

12. What do you think about your church?

13. Visit www.eauk.org/snapshotto... • read and download the research reports • access free Powerpoints and discussion questions • join the research panel • receive email updates