11 January 2012
Researchers are being sought for an 18 month project which will
aim to provide a comprehensive study of the causes of church
growth.
The research programme from the Church of England being advertised
this week contains three main strands:
- Extensive analysis of existing data to test hypotheses around
factors relating to church growth.
- In depth profiling of a sample of growing churches (from a wide
variety of contexts and traditions) and a randomly selected control
group. It will involve a comprehensive investigation into the wide
range of factors which might encourage or prevent
growth.
- A study of factors relating to growth at cathedrals, church
planting and the impact of amalgamation of benefices and the use of
different patterns of deployment of ministers.
The focus for the new research project is based on the
Archbishop of Canterbury's strategic goals to the new General Synod
in 2010 - to take forward spiritual and numerical growth in the
CofE for all communities.
The new research programme is part of a wider area of work
around research and development (2011-13).