EVERY five years, church attendees are given the opportunity to have their voices heard via a National Church Life Survey.
Such a survey will be offered this month.
The local Church receives resources to help it access its ministry and leadership.
It also puts a spotlight on patterns and trends, including changes in attendance.
In 2001, the community I was involved with partook in such a survey, and the results were carefully analysed and became the basis for pastoral planning.
Now, Church leaders tend to monitor these polls like politicians.
They see them as benchmarks for measuring whether the Church is gaining or losing ground in the wider culture.
And since they measure specific beliefs and practices, they also serve to target areas of community faith that call for greater attention.
But one thing these surveys do not do is offer guidance on when Churches grow. What are the factors that contribute to a vital parish life?
What services offered by a Church community strengthen parish outreach and influence the community?
What are the most effective means of evangelising the unchurched and revitalising the churched? What changes could be made to reach greater numbers?
Yes, surveys can tell us if a Church is growing, but can’t tell us how it can grow.
So using the results of this year’s National Church Life Survey, we can and should ask, “When do Churches grow – grow not only in membership and budget, but in spiritual depth and community service?”
Paul’s letters to the communities he visited and founded on missionary journeys come to mind.
One reason why those young Churches grew was because they were given guidance from their leaders – guidance that focused on the faith.
FR PASCHAL KEARNEY CSSp
Bremer Bay, WA
