Journeying from Anecdote to Evidence to Action: - Update on the Church

1. Journeying from Anecdote to Evidence to Action: - Update on theChurch growth research programme Resource Strategy & Development Unit – National Church Institutions Faith in Research Conference 4th June 2014 Web:www.churchgrowthRD.org.uk Twitter: @ChurchGrowthRDEmail:kevin.norris@churchofengland.org

2. Moving From Anecdote to Evidence Overview • How far has the research taken us on the journey from anecdote to evidence? • A quick re-cap of some of the headline findings • Next steps – From Evidence to Action • And to more evidence… • Some early examples of action www.churchgrowthresearch.org.uk @ChurchGrowthRD

3. Moving From Anecdote to Evidence The Programme • 18 month multi-method study of the factors relating to church growth • First major in-depth study in the context of the Church of England • Inevitably it does not provide all of the ‘answers’ or a formula for growth though it does increase the evidence base. • Our aspiration: ‘anecdote’ to evidence’ www.churchgrowthresearch.org.uk @ChurchGrowthRD

4. Moving From Anecdote to Evidence What has (and has not) been achieved? • Improved data sets • Increased understanding of factors associated with growth and decline. • The challenge of establishing ‘causation’ • A basis for further research and reflection www.churchgrowthresearch.org.uk @ChurchGrowthRD #FiRChurchGrowth

5. A quick re-cap of the key findings

6. Factors Associated with growth

8. Next steps • Further reflection on the findings • Communication of the findings • Moreresearch to build on areas where associations have been found • Production and publication of ‘From Evidence to Action’ • Engagement with diocesan senior leadership teams

9. From Evidence to Action • Guide / tool kit to help parishes reflect on the research findings and to use them to inform their mission planning • Not prescriptive – questions to open up discussion • Links to resources • Web based material including videos, sermon and bible study resources. • To be carefully piloted in a range of contexts

10. Further research - amalgamations • Further statistical work on the impact of amalgamations (RevdDr Fiona Tweedie) • Making use of improved data sets and further statistical techniques • Exploring in more details the effect of geography, clergy and diocesan resource. • Initial report by the end of the summer • Features of growing amalgamated benefices? • Alternative approaches?

11. Further research – Fresh expressions of Church • Undertaken by the Church Army’s research unit • Extend the analysis of the sum and dynamics of Fresh Expressions to a further 10 dioceses. • Revisit some of the dioceses surveyed in the first wave • Congregational profiling of FxC’s, church plants & parish churches • 2 year study

12. Some examples of how the research has been used • Diocese of Liverpool: growth factors inform MDR’s and Archdeacons visitations • Guildford – Diocesan Synod reflecting on the findings • From a Diocesan Missioner:: ‘The research hasn’t changed too much in what we are saying, but it has made a huge difference to the willingness people have to hear. I have seen more commitment to radical change in the last 4 weeks than in the previous 12 months…’

13. www.churchgrowthresearch.org.uk Resource Strategy & Development Unit – National Church Institutions 13.