Congregations' Largest Sources of Concern and Pride

article

by Dr. Scott Thumma

Description

Based on responses from 15,000 congregations in 2020, this document represents what congregations are most concerned about and what they are most proud of in their faith communities.

Features

Data on congregational leaders' hopes and worries; data regarding congregational leaders' level of concern with membership, growth, and financial concerns; data on congregational leaders' value of member community service and inclusivity.

Recommended Audience

All traditions and culture

Cost

Free

Practical Applications

Congregational leaders associated with a denomination might read and respond to the material at a denominational meeting.

The governing board could compare the data against that which is learned through a survey conducted by their particular congregations.

Updated: April 16, 2025

About the Contributor

Tim Shapiro

President

Tim Shapiro is the Indianapolis Center’s president. He began serving the Center in 2003 after 18 years in pastoral ministry. For 14 years, Tim served Westminster Presbyterian Church in Xenia, Ohio. Prior to his pastorate at Westminster, he was pastor of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Logansport, Indiana. He holds degrees from Purdue University and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Tim’s interest in how congregations learn to do new things is represented in his book How Your Congregation Learns. After his extensive work on the Center’s Sacred Space initiative, Tim co-authored the book Holy Places: Matching Sacred Space with Mission and Message. He has also authored several articles, including Applying Positive Deviance and The Congregation of Theological Coherence.

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