U.S. Congregational Life Survey, Wave 2, 2008-2009, Church of God (Cleveland, TN) Attender Survey

DOI

10.17605/OSF.IO/A4PW8

Citation

Woolever, C., Bruce, D., Kopacz, J., & Smith-Williams, I. (2020, December 4). U.S. Congregational Life Survey, Wave 2, 2008-2009, Church of God (Cleveland, TN) Attender Survey.

Summary

More than 500,000 worshipers in more than 5,000 congregations across America participated in the U.S. Congregational Life Survey (Wave 1 and Wave 2) - making it the largest survey of worshipers in America ever conducted. Three types of surveys were completed in each participating congregation: (a) an attender survey completed by all worshipers age 15 and older who attended worship services during the weekend the survey was given; (b) a congregational profile describing the congregation's facilities, staff, programs and worship services completed by one person in the congregation; and (c) a leader survey completed by the pastor, priest, minister, rabbi or other principal leader. Together the information collected provides a unique three-dimensional look at religious life in America. (From Appendix 1, U.S. Congregational Life Survey Methodology: A Field Guide to U.S. Congregations, Second Edition.)

This data file contains data for a random sample of Church of God (COG) worship attenders participating in Wave 2 of the U.S. Congregational Life Survey. (U.S. Congregational Life Survey Wave 2 COG Congregational Profile data and COG Leader data will be provided in separate files.)

The ARDA has added five additional variables to the original data set to enhance the users' experience on our site.

Data File

Cases: 5802
Variables: 143
Weight Variable: None

Data Collection

Fall 2008 - Spring 2009

Original Survey (Instrument)

USCLS Attender Survey, Wave 2

Funded By

The Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Louisville Institute
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Church of God (Cleveland, TN)

Collection Procedures

Self-administered surveys

Sampling Procedures

In Wave 1 and Wave 2, denominations also were invited and encouraged to draw a random sample of their congregations. Denominational samples were large enough so that the results are representative of worshipers and congregations in each denomination. This allows denominations to compare their "typical" congregation and worshiper to congregations and worshipers in other denominations. Denominations participating in this oversampling procedure in Wave 1 and Wave 2 were Church of the Nazarene, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Seventh-day Adventist Church, United Methodist Church (UMC), and United Church of Christ (UCC). In Wave 2, the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) also participated by surveying a national random sample of their denomination's congregations. (From Appendix 1, U.S. Congregational Life Survey Methodology, A Field Guide to U.S. Congregations, Second Edition).

Researchers in the COG drew a national random sample of their congregations and 138 churches agreed to participate. Of these, 85 congregations returned completed attenders surveys, representing a 62 percent participation rate. Response rates are lower if based on congregations contacted and invited to participate.

The COG random sample of attender data can be linked to the COG Profile and Leader data by the CONGREGA variable.

Principal Investigators

Cynthia Woolever, Research Services, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), co-principal investigator

Deborah Bruce, Associate Research Manager, Research Services, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), co-principal investigator

Joelle Kopacz, Research Assistant, Research Services, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Ida Smith-Williams, Associate for Information, Research Services, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Related Publications

A Field Guide to U.S. Congregations: Who's Going Where and Why. Second Edition. 2010. Cynthia Woolever and Deborah Bruce, Westminster John Knox Press.

A Field Guide to U.S. Congregations: Who's Going Where and Why. 2002. Cynthia Woolever and Deborah Bruce, Westminster John Knox Press.

Beyond the Ordinary: 10 Strengths of U.S. Congregations. 2004. Cynthia Woolever and Deborah Bruce, Westminster John Knox Press.

Places of Promise: Finding Strength in Your Congregation's Location. 2008. Cynthia Woolever and Deborah Bruce, Westminster John Knox Press.

Leadership That Fits Your Church: What Kind of Pastor for What Kind of Congregation. 2012. Cynthia Woolever and Deborah Bruce, Westminster John Knox Press.

Other reports are listed at: https://www.USCongregations.org