Findings and reports

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From Anecdote to Evidence

The report ‘From Anecdote to Evidence’ provides a summary of the findings from the Church Growth Research Programme. 

Numerical Change in Church Attendance

An analysis of numerical change in church attendance within the Church of England - Research led by Professor David Voas of the Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex for the Church Growth Research Programme. 

This was known as Strands 1 and 2 of the Church Growth Research Programme.

Church Growth: Cathedrals & Greater Churches

An analysis of Cathedrals and Greater Churches - Research conducted by The Revd Canon John Holmes as part of the consortium led by Cranmer Hall, St John's College, Durham for the Church Growth Research Programme.

This was known as Strand 3a of the Church Growth Research Programme.

Church Growth: Fresh Expressions

An analysis of Fresh Expressions of Church - Research conducted by The Revd Canon Dr George Lings (Director of the Church Army’s Research Unit at that time) as part of the consortium led by Cranmer Hall, St John's College, Durham for the Church Growth Research Programme.

This was known as Strand 3b of the Church Growth Research Programme.

The Church Army’s Research Unit went on to conduct a larger piece of research into fresh expressions of Church, The Day of Small Things.

Church Growth: Amalgamations & Team Ministries

An analysis of Amalgamations and Team Ministries - Research led by The Revd Dr David Goodhew as part of the consortium led by Cranmer Hall, St John's College, Durham for the Church Growth Research Programme.

This was known as Strand 3c of the Church Growth Research Programme.

Stronger as One

Further statistical research was carried out by Revd Dr Fiona Tweedie, a Minister and the Mission Statistics coordinator for the Church of Scotland, into the impact of amalgamations and team ministries on church growth. This was published in a report titled ‘Stronger as One?

Growing Deeper

Following on from the publication of this report, an additional summary note and full research report were made available, titled ‘Growing Deeper’. This research focused on the impact of clergy numbers on numerical growth and was also conducted by Revd Dr Fiona Tweedie.

Church Planting

An analysis of Church Planting by OxCEPT, Ripon College, Cuddesdon as part of the Church Growth Research Programme.

This was known as Strand 4 of the Church Growth Research Programme.

Further research relating to church growth has been commissioned on behalf of the Archbishops’ Council and the findings can be accessed here.