Congregation, Reason for Choosing - Measurement Concept

Why did the respondent choose their current congregation? Or why does the respondent find current congregation attractive?
52 Questions match selected parameters.

Survey Questions

SRVC1_06 from National Congregations Study, Panel Dataset (1998 and 2006-2007)
(service1_06) What services did you use, beginning with the most important? (FIRST MENTION) CA_15 from Portraits of American Life Study, 1st Wave, 2006
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following activities at your congregation? Sermons, preaching, or homilies CA_12 from Portraits of American Life Study, 1st Wave, 2006
[FOR CA_12-CA_14, IF CA_2=1 USE PAST TENSE VERSION. ELSE USE PRESENT TENSE OF VERBS.] Please tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements about your current primary congregation. My congregation feels/felt like family to me. CA_13 from Portraits of American Life Study, 1st Wave, 2006
[FOR CA_12-CA_14, IF CA_2=1 USE PAST TENSE VERSION. ELSE USE PRESENT TENSE OF VERBS.] Please tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements about your current primary congregation. My congregation meets/met my spiritual needs. CA_14 from Portraits of American Life Study, 1st Wave, 2006
[FOR CA_12-CA_14, IF CA_2=1 USE PAST TENSE VERSION. ELSE USE PRESENT TENSE OF VERBS.] Please tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements about your current primary congregation. I feel/felt like an outsider in my congregation. CA_16 from Portraits of American Life Study, 1st Wave, 2006
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following activities at your congregation? The music at worship services CA_17 from Portraits of American Life Study, 1st Wave, 2006
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following activities at your congregation? Community outreach or service ministries CA_18 from Portraits of American Life Study, 1st Wave, 2006
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following activities at your congregation? Religious education classes for adults, such as Sunday, Church, or Sabbath school, Bible class, Quran class, etc. CA_19 from Portraits of American Life Study, 1st Wave, 2006
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following activities at your congregation? The children's programs or youth groups CA_20 from Portraits of American Life Study, 1st Wave, 2006
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following activities at your congregation? How money is handled or spent CA_21 from Portraits of American Life Study, 1st Wave, 2006
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the following activities at your congregation? How major decisions are made CA_22 from Portraits of American Life Study, 1st Wave, 2006
[DEFINE LEADER FILL: IF CI_1= 1, USE "pastor" 2, USE "imam" 3, USE "rabbi" 4, USE "priest". ELSE, USE "primary religious leader", if CI_1_1=1 and CI_4=1, USE "priest".] How close do/did you feel to the primary religious leader at your congregation? CA_35 from Portraits of American Life Study, 1st Wave, 2006
How often do you feel you are appreciated by the leaders or people of your congregation for the work and activities that you do at your congregation? SPIRNEED from U.S. Congregational Life Survey, 2001, Random Attenders
Do you agree or disagree: 'My spiritual needs are being met in this congregation or parish'? BELONG from U.S. Congregational Life Survey, 2001, Random Attenders
Do you have a strong sense of belonging to this congregation? CHCHARTY from Southern Focus Poll, South Survey, Fall 1996
NOT ASKED OF RESPONDENTS WHO SAID THEY NEVER ATTEND CHURCH: Tell me if the following is extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not very important to you in your own choice of a religious congregation. - Because it is active in charitable works in your community CHSOCIAL from Southern Focus Poll, South Survey, Fall 1996
NOT ASKED OF RESPONDENTS WHO SAID THEY NEVER ATTEND CHURCH: Tell me if the following is extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not very important to you in your own choice of a religious congregation. - Because it has a lot of social activities CHSERMON from Southern Focus Poll, South Survey, Fall 1996
NOT ASKED OF RESPONDENTS WHO SAID THEY NEVER ATTEND CHURCH: Tell me if the following is extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not very important to you in your own choice of a religious congregation. - Because you like the sermons of the pastor, priest, or rabbi CHCOMMTY from Southern Focus Poll, South Survey, Fall 1996
NOT ASKED OF RESPONDENTS WHO SAID THEY NEVER ATTEND CHURCH: Tell me if the following is extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not very important to you in your own choice of a religious congregation. - Because it can get things done in the community CHTEACH from Southern Focus Poll, South Survey, Fall 1996
NOT ASKED OF RESPONDENTS WHO SAID THEY NEVER ATTEND CHURCH: Tell me if the following is extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not very important to you in your own choice of a religious congregation. - Because its religious teachings are close to your beliefs Q16OE_2 from Faith in Flux - Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U.S.
And just in your own words, what would you say is the main reason that you became (CURREL)? SECOND MENTION Q3OE_1 from Faith in Flux - Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U.S.
ASK ALL QUALIFIED CONVERTS (CON11=1 AND Q2 NE 2): And just in your own words, what is the main reason that you are no longer (FRMREL)? IF FRMREL=UNAFFILIATED WITH ANY PARTICULAR RELGION, USE ALTERNATE WORDING: And just in your own words, what is the main reason that you started identifying with a religion? FIRST MENTION Q3OE_2 from Faith in Flux - Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U.S.
ASK ALL QUALIFIED CONVERTS (CON11=1 AND Q2 NE 2): And just in your own words, what is the main reason that you are no longer (FRMREL)? IF FRMREL=UNAFFILIATED WITH ANY PARTICULAR RELGION, USE ALTERNATE WORDING: And just in your own words, what is the main reason that you started identifying with a religion? SECOND MENTION Q3OE_3 from Faith in Flux - Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U.S.
ASK ALL QUALIFIED CONVERTS (CON11=1 AND Q2 NE 2): And just in your own words, what is the main reason that you are no longer (FRMREL)? IF FRMREL=UNAFFILIATED WITH ANY PARTICULAR RELGION, USE ALTERNATE WORDING: And just in your own words, what is the main reason that you started identifying with a religion? THIRD MENTION Q4N from Faith in Flux - Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U.S.
IF CONVERT RAISED IN A RELIGION: You weren't comfortable, with the feeling of community at [IF RAISED CATHOLIC, FRMREL2=10000, INSERT: your parish; FOR ALL OTHERS, INSERT: your local congregation]. Is this an important reason you are no longer (FRMREL), or not? Q16OE_1 from Faith in Flux - Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U.S.
And just in your own words, what would you say is the main reason that you became (CURREL)? FIRST MENTION CHCHARTY from Southern Focus Poll, Non-South Survey, Fall 1996
[NOT ASKED OF RESPONDENTS WHO SAID THEY NEVER ATTEND CHURCH] Tell me if the following is extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not very important to you in your own choice of a religious congregation. Because it is active in charitable works in your community. REASON2 from Lilly Survey of Attitudes and Social Networks
[If ONEORMOR=2] What was the most important reason for leaving the last mixed-race congregation you attended? CHCOMMTY from Southern Focus Poll, Non-South Survey, Fall 1996
[NOT ASKED OF RESPONDENTS WHO SAID THEY NEVER ATTEND CHURCH] Tell me if the following is extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not very important to you in your own choice of a religious congregation. Because it can get things done in the community. CHSERMON from Southern Focus Poll, Non-South Survey, Fall 1996
[NOT ASKED OF RESPONDENTS WHO SAID THEY NEVER ATTEND CHURCH] Tell me if the following is extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not very important to you in your own choice of a religious congregation. Because you like the sermons of the pastor, priest, or rabbi. CHSOCIAL from Southern Focus Poll, Non-South Survey, Fall 1996
[NOT ASKED OF RESPONDENTS WHO SAID THEY NEVER ATTEND CHURCH] Tell me if the following is extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not very important to you in your own choice of a religious congregation. Because it has a lot of social activities. CHTEACH from Southern Focus Poll, Non-South Survey, Fall 1996
[NOT ASKED OF RESPONDENTS WHO SAID THEY NEVER ATTEND CHURCH] Tell me if the following is extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not very important to you in your own choice of a religious congregation. Because its religious teachings are close to your beliefs. REASON1 from Lilly Survey of Attitudes and Social Networks
[If ONEORMOR=1] What was the most important reason for leaving? MEMBRS from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- I look forward to being with members of my congregation. MISSION from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- The mission of my congregation is clear. OPINION from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- My opinions are considered in decisions made about my congregation. POLICY from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- My congregation has clear policies (e.g. personnel procedures) that assist me as I make choices about my work and ministry. PROUD2 from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- I am proud to tell others that I am part of my congregation. UNCERTN from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- When I am uncertain about something within my congregation, I know exactly with whom to speak to have it clarified. IMP_PART from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- I feel I am an important part of my congregation. GOALS from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- Members of my congregation agree on what our congregation's goals are. FRIEND from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- My closest friends are members of my religious congregation. BEST from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- For me this is the best of all possible congregations to which I could belong. ACCTABLE from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- Lines of accountability within my congregation are clear. INSPIRES from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
Please indicate your agreement with the following statements by circling the appropriate response. Remember that there are no right or wrong answers. -- My congregation inspires the very best in me. INFLUEN from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- I would like to have more influence in establishing the future of my congregation. INVOLV from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- I am personally involved in my congregation. INVOLV2 from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- The important things that happen to me directly involve my congregation. LEADSHP from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
Please indicate your agreement with the following statements by circling the appropriate response. Remember that there are no right or wrong answers. -- Leadership in my congregation inspires my loyalty. LEAVE1 from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
A list of possible reasons for leaving your congregation follows. Please read the list and consider the following question. In your response, you may choose up to three reasons. Place a 1 next to the most likely reason. Should you have additional reasons, write 2 and 3 next to the second and third most likely reasons. If I should ever decide to leave my congregation, it probably would be for the following reason -- My congregation is moving in a direction that conflicts with my calling/values/vision. LEAV_CON from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- It would take little change in my present circumstances to cause me to leave my congregation. VALUE from National Survey of the Religious Life Futures Project, 1990
To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? For each, choose the response which best fits your present thinking. -- I find that my values and my congregation's values are similar.