Ministry Resource Provider Reveals 'State of the Church'
A faith-based company that provides resources and services to ministries ranging from children's ministries to pastoral ministries has released a landmark research study that aims to help Christian leaders get the information they need to increase the impact of their ministry in the New Year.
Focused on the Church as a whole, as well as content specific to Youth Ministry, Children's Ministry, Volunteer Ministry, and Women's Ministry, "The State of the Church 2009" study reveals what Group Publishing found when it went out and talked with "people in the trenches."
Some of the study's findings include how parents ranked the tools they found most helpful to train children spiritually, what the top ten most pressing needs of youth pastors are, what the top three challenges are that congregations face in equipping volunteers, and how women's ministry leaders can capture the attention of younger women and encourage involvement.
"We talk constantly with church leaders about their needs, wants, and successes," says Group's chief creative officer, Joani Schultz. "That gives us a unique peek into how the church is doing. We can identify issues and challenges churches now face — or are likely to face in the near future."
Schultz says Group uncovered some dramatic and unexpected themes as they did the research for "The State of the Church 2009." And she said the organization wanted to not only present the data but also to craft the research in a way to provide "practice results" that ministry leaders can use for 2009.
"It's not enough to just broadcast the statistics; we also want to help the church understand both its strengths and weaknesses," she reported.
"We're all in this together," Schultz exclaimed.
"The State of the Church 2009"study has been made available on Group's website, group.com/church09, and in the January 2009 print editions of Rev!, Group, and Children's Ministry magazines, which hit newsstands this past week.
To make their findings even more accessible, Group Publishing has also created a website with how church workers can navigate the information and use it in their own ministries. The group.com website includes practical guides with additional information on using the data, as well as podcasts, forums, and discussion groups.
To continue with the research and growth, Group and its family of publications and curriculums will be launching a free e-series, titled "Hope for 2009," which will take a deeper look at the studies and continue the research throughout the year.
Group's mission for the past 30 years has been to equip churches to help children, youth, and adults grow in their relationship with Christ. Through creating resources that provide solutions for ministry needs, the organization says it is in the business to equip ministry leaders to "be even better at what they do."
