We Invite You to Participate in the Second National Survey of Megachurches in the United

Megachurches Today Survey 2005

We invite you to participate in the second national survey of Megachurches in the United States.

In an effort to understand and learn from highly successful congregations, this questionnaire is being distributed to over 850 of the country's top churches. We would greatly appreciate it if someone on your staff would take the 20-30 minutes required to fill this out and return it to us.

There are many misconceptions about megachurches, inaccuracies that this research and the activities of the sponsoring organizations hope to dispel. Our two organizations have teamed up to do this research project because we are very anxious to provide correct and accurate information about megachurches in the United States.

Churches large and small have much to gain from an accurate national picture of your ministry and those of large churches throughout the country.

This survey will also give you an opportunity to look at yourself in the context of other megachurches in the US. We will gladly provide you with a copy of the report that results from this research. If you would like a copy please include an email address on the questionnaire.

We want to assure you that your individual information will be held in the strictest confidence and will be reported only as a part of the total group's findings. Your answers will be kept confidential and anonymous. We will not sell or give away your information to any other organization.

Please consider contributing your church's information to this portrait.

To read more about the study, the authors of the research, or the sponsoring organizations go to or

There are several ways to complete the survey. You can fill out the paper copy sent to you and mail it to Hartford Institute at 77 Sherman St. Hartford, CT 06105 or you can go to the web at and link to an online version of the survey or download it as a Word document, fill it out and attach it as an email to or send it to Scott at the address above.

IF you have questions, please address them to

Thank you for your help, Please complete this form for your congregation. It can be completed by the congregational leader (minister, pastor, associate), administrator, treasurer, or other lay leader.

Scott Thumma, PhD Dave Travis and Warren Bird
Hartford Institute for Religion Research Leadership Network
77 Sherman St. 2501 Cedar Springs, Suite 200
Hartford, CT 06105 Dallas, Texas 75201

A. Your Congregation’s Worship

1.How often does your congregation hold worship services at its primary campus?
1One day each week
2Two days each week

3Three or more days each week

4Some other pattern

2, How many worship services does your congregation usually hold each weekend (not including special services, weddings, or funerals)?

3. Are these services: Check All That Apply
( ) All very similar in style
( ) 1 or more are somewhat different in style
( ) 1 or more are very different in style

4. Do you hold services at satellite locations? 1 Yes 2 No 3 Not yet but thinking about it.

IF YES, a) How many satellite campuses do you have?______

What is the total number of services offered at all these satellite campuses? ______
Are these services:
( ) All very similar in style
( ) 1 or more are somewhat different in style
( ) 1 or more are very different in style

5. How well do the following describe the largest worship service in your congregation?

not atquitevery
CheckOne on Each LineallslightlySomewhatwellwell

A.Reverent...... 12345
B.Informal...... 12345
C.Filled with a sense of God’s presence...... 12345
D.Joyful...... 12345
E.Formal liturgy or ritual...... 12345
F.Exciting...... 12345
G.Inspirational...... 12345
H.Thought-provoking...... 12345

6.How often are the following a part of your congregation’s worship services?

CheckOne on Each Lineneverseldomsometimesoftenalways

A.Choir ...... 12345
B.Piano...... 12345
C.Electric guitar or bass...... 12345
D.Drums or other percussion instruments...... 12345
E.Visual projection equipment...... 12345
F.Communion, Lord’s Supper, or Sacrament...... 12345

7.During the past 5 years, has your congregation changed the format or style of one or more weekend worship services?
1No change
2Changed a little
3Changed some
4Changed a lot

B.Your Congregation’s Programs

1.During the past 12 months, did your congregation have any of the following programs or activities?
If yes, is it a relatively minor emphasis or a key program or activity of your congregation?

minorkey
CheckOne on Each Linenoemphasisactivity

A.Religious education classes (e.g., Sunday school,
Sabbath school, church school)...... 123
B.Prayer, meditation, or faith sharing groups...... 123
C.Study or discussion groups...... 123
D.Fellowships, clubs, or other social activities...... 123
E.Support groups (e.g., bereavement, marriage, divorced,
wellness, recovery, 12-step)...... 123
F.Evangelism or recruitment activities...... 123
G.Social service activities...... 123
H.Choir(s) or other music programs...... 123
I.Fundraising activities (including capital campaigns)...... 123

2.During the past 12 months, did your congregation do any of the following to reach out to nonmembers or to make your congregation better known in the community?

yes,no, but our members

donewould would not
in lastsupportsupport
Check One on Each Line12 monthsthisthis

A.Advertised on radio or TV or in a newspaper...... 123
B.Mailed or distributed newsletters, letters, or flyers...... 123
C.Established or maintained a web site for the congregation...... 123
D.Developed a plan to recruit new members...... 123
E.Contacted people who recently moved into the area...... 123
F.Encouraged members to tell nonmembers about their faith...... 123
G.Encouraged members to invite others to worship services...... 123
H.Sponsored a program or event to attract visitors...... 123

3.How are visitors contacted after they attend your worship services?
Check All That Apply

1We rarely, if ever, have any visitors
2We rarely, if ever, contact our visitors
3We contact our visitors by mail
4We contact our visitors by phone
5We contact our visitors by e-mail
6We contact our visitors by personal visit

4.About how many visits or phone calls do leaders of your congregation usually make each month to prospective members, worship visitors, or newcomers to the community?

5.To what extent are your congregation’s members involved in recruiting new members?
1Not at all
2A little
3Some
4A lot

6.Once a person shows interest in your congregation, are there any planned procedures to help that newcomer become integrated into the congregation?
Check All That Apply

1Follow-up visits by clergy, lay leaders, or members
2Designated people extend hospitality and invite them for meals
3An orientation class for new members
4Invitation to participate in a fellowship or other small group
5 Invitation to volunteer for service in the congregation or the community
6Other activities such as: ______
7No planned procedures or activities

7.Does your congregationhave any of the following?
Check All That Apply

1A congregational email account
2A congregational web page or web site
3A computerized database that holds the names and addresses of your members or attenders
4A special section of your web site for members only

C.Your Congregation’s Identity

1.Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

stronglysomewhat neutral/somewhatstrongly
CheckOne on Each Linedisagreedisagreeunsureagreeagree

Our congregation:
A.Is like a close-knit family...... 12345
B.Is spiritually vital and alive...... 12345
C.Has a clear mission and purpose...... 12345
D.Is working for social justice...... 12345
E.Is willing to change to meet new challenges...... 12345
F.Holds strong beliefs and values...... 12345
G.Welcomes innovation and change...... 12345

2.How much does your congregation emphasize the following home or personal practices in its worship and education?

not ataquitea
CheckOne on Each LinealllittleSomea bitlot

A.Personal prayer, meditation or devotions...... 12345
B.Personal scripture study...... 12345
C.Family devotions...... 12345
D.Tithing or sacrificial giving...... 12345
E.Keeping the Sabbath or other worship day holy....12345

3.Which label is the closest description of the theological identity of the majority of your church’s regularly participating adults? Check One Only
1Fundamentalist
2Evangelical
3Pentecostal
4Charismatic
5Moderate
6Traditional
7Seeker
8Other: ______

4.Which label is the closest description of the political outlook of the majority of your congregation’s regularly participating adults? Check One Only
1Predominantly conservative 4 Somewhat on the liberal side
2Somewhat on the conservative side 5 Predominantly liberal
3Right in the middle

D.Your Congregation’s Participants

1.How many people in total (counting adults, youth, and children) regularly participate in the worship services and other activities of your congregation at all sites (including those who are not official members)?
Adults (age 18 and older)
Youth (age 12 – 17)
Children (age 0 – 11)

2.Of the total number of regularly participating adults, what percent would you estimate are:

hardlyall or
noneanyfewsomemanymostnearly all
CheckOne on Each Line0%1-10%11-20%21-40%41-60%61-80%81-100%

A.Female...... 1234567
B.College graduates...... 1234567
C.Age 35 or younger...... 1234567
D.Over 60 years old...... 1234567
E.New to your congregation
In the last five years...... 1234567
F.Living in the immediate area
around your place of worship...... 1234567
G.In households with children
under 18 at home...... 1234567
H.Hispanic or Latino/a...... 1234567
I.Black or African American...... 1234567
J.White...... 1234567
K.Asian...... 1234567
L.Native Hawaiian or American Indian...1234567
M.Biracial or multiracial...... 1234567
N.Participates in small groups...... 1234567
O.New members who are New Converts..1234567

3. What is the total percentage of attenders in your church that are not of the majority racial/ethnic group? ______

4. Is your congregation making efforts to become intentionally multi-ethnic? ( ) yes ( ) no

If YES: In what ways: ______

______

5. So far this year and for each of the last 5 years, what is your best estimate of the average weekly attendance (adults and children) at your congregation’s weekend worship services (Include all satellite locations if applicable)?
Use the average attendance for all worship services combined.
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000

E.Your Congregation’s Leadership

Please describe the senior or lead pastor of your congregation.

1.Ageyears old

2.Race/ethnicity

3.Highest level of education:
1High school diploma or GED
2Some college or technical school
3College Bachelor’s degree
4Masters Degree (including M.Div)
5Doctoral Degree (Ph.D., D.Min. – excluding honorary doctorate)

This person became the senior pastor in what year?
Did the church’s most dramatic growth occur during the tenure of this senior pastor? ( ) Yes ( ) No

6.During the past 10 years, how many senior pastors (including the current one and all interims) have served this congregation?

7.How many paid leadership staff positions do you have in your congregation?
Count only full- and part-time leadership staff, not clerical or maintenance staff; count all positions whether currently filled or not.
Total full-time
Total part-time

8.How many paid administrative or support staff positions do you have in your congregation?
Count only full- and part-time administrative, clerical or maintenance staff; count all positions whether filled or not.
Total full-time
Total part-time

9.What is approximately the total number of volunteers at the church who work more than 5 hours a week? ______

10. Do you have members that volunteer between 20 and 40 hours a week to the Church? ( ) Yes ( ) No

IF YES, What is the approximate number of persons doing this? ______

11.What percent of the congregation do you estimate volunteer weekly for service in the Community? ______%

12. During the past two years, has your congregation experienced any disagreements or conflicts?

1 No conflict I am aware of
2 Some minor conflict
3 Major conflict

F.Your Congregation’s Finances

1.How would you describe your congregation’s financial situation?
1In serious difficulty
2In some difficulty
3Tight, but we manage
4Good
5Excellent

2.What is the total amount of income your congregation received from all sources during your most recent fiscal year?
$

3.Of this amount, how much came from individual contributions or donations including tithes and other offerings?
$

G.Your Congregation’s History and Affiliation

In what year was your congregation officially organized or founded?
What zip code is your church’s primary campus located in? ______

3.Is your congregation formally affiliated with a denomination?
1Yes
2No
3Not sure

4.If yes, to what denomination(s) does your congregation belong?

5.During the past 20 years, has your congregation experienced any of the following?

1985-1990-1995-2000-
CheckAs Many As Applyno1989199419992005

A.Merged with another congregation12345
B.Absorbed another congregation that was closed12345
C.Split into two or more independent churches12345
D.Helped plant or grow a new congregation12345
E.Started a satellite location or remote campus 12345
F.Changed denominational affiliation12345
G.Became an independent congregation12345

1985-1990-1995-2000-
CheckAs Many As Applyno1989199419992005

H.Changed the name of the church123 4 5
I.Started a Network of like-minded congregations12345
J.Partnered with other churches in an
international missions project12345
K.Partnered with other churches in a
local community service project12345
L.Partnered with other churches in a
political involvement activity12345

6.If in or near a large city, is your place of worship located in:
1A downtown or central area of the city
2An older residential area in the city
3An older suburb around the city
4A newer suburb around the city

7.What is the approximate seating capacity of the space where your largest worship service is held?

8. What is the total seating capacity of all your overflow rooms and satellite locations that you consider a part of your church? (including facilities that you rent, if any) ______

9.Do you use a multiple venue worship service format (where multiple services with a distinctive style and focus are held simultaneously in the same or other building)? ( ) Yes ( ) No

10.What is the role of the person who completed the majority of this form?
1Leader of the congregation (minister, pastor, priest, rabbi, imam)
2Administrator or other paid staff member
3Clerk, treasurer, or other lay leader
4Other

Contact Information (optional) If you provide an email address we will send you a summary report of this research effort.

If we need additional information about your answers or your congregation, can we contact you or someone else in the congregation?

What is the name of the contact person?

Phone number?

Best times to reach person at this phone number?

Email address?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE! GOD BLESS YOUR MINISTRY

Scott Thumma, Dave Travis and Warren Bird