Table of Contents
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 1: Flourishing or Struggling?
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 2: Nothing to See Here!
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 3: Who's Back?
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 4: Demographics
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 5: Buildings
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 6: Covid Toll
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 7: Social and Racial Justice
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 8: Collaborate
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 9: Bible Study
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 10: Vitality
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 11: Easter Questions
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 12: Easter Vigil
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 13: Faith and Society
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 14: Let's Learn About...
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 15: Young Adults
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 16: Hidden Opportunities
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 17: Populations
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 18: Ethnicities
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 19: Open Communion
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 20: Services
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 21: Property
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 22: Small
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 23: Sharing
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 24: Rush
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 25: Status
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 26: Reach Out
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 27: A Difference
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 28: Diagnostics
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 29: Demographics
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 30: Reconcile
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 31: Endowment
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 32: Giving
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 33: Changes
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 34: Ideal
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 35: Campus Ministry
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 36: Stewardship Campaign
Pilot Results
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 1: Flourishing or Struggling?
In your view, in each of the following areas of congregational life, is your congregation finding success or struggling? (N=652)
Responses:
Administration: Finding Success: 426, Struggling: 172, Not Sure: 54
Discipleship & Formation: Finding Success: 297, Struggling: 297, Not Sure: 58
Evangelism: Finding Success: 150, Struggling: 390, Not Sure: 112
Outreach - Social Justice: Finding Success: 332, Struggling: 235, Not Sure: 85
Outreach - Community Service & Partnerships: Finding Success: 499, Struggling: 117, Not Sure: 36
Property/Building Use: Finding Success: 406, Struggling: 210, Not Sure: 36
Worship & Spirituality: Finding Success: 493, Struggling: 133, Not Sure: 26
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 2: Nothing to See Here!
This survey was repurposed for Survey #3 after a technical issue.
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 3: Who's Back?
In-Person Worship: What percentage of your pre-Covid average in-person Sunday attendance do you expect to return to in-person worship post-pandemic? (N=559)
Responses:
0-25%: 11
26-50%: 68
51-75%: 199
76-100%: 236
101-125%: 43
126-150%: 0
More than 150%: 2
Online Worship: What percentage of your current average online Sunday attendance do you expect to continue to worship online post-pandemic? (N=559)
Responses:
0-25%: 295
26-50%: 138
51-75%: 64
76-100%: 53
101-125%: 9
126-150%: 0
More than 150%: 0
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 4: Demographics
How closely does the demographic make up of your congregation reflect the demographic make up of your wider community? (N=543)
Responses:
Many population segments missing or underrepresented: 226
Some population segments missing or underrepresented: 290
No populations segments missing or underrepresented: 27
Don't know: 0
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 5: Buildings
Congregation’s Attachment to Building Over Last Two Years (N-476)
Responses:
No Change: 35%
Somewhat Less: 30%
Somewhat More: 21%
Much Less: 8%
Much More: 6%
Considered Alternative Structures or Places (Among Selected “Less”) (N=304)
No: 55%
Yes: 20%
Uncertain: 20%
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 6: Covid Toll
To your knowledge, how many clergy persons serving your congregation have died due to Covid in the last two years? (N=406)
Responses: 0: 392, 1: 12, 2: 2, 3: 0, 4: 0, 5 or more: 0
To your knowledge, how many lay people in your congregation have died due to Covid in the last two years? (N=406)
Responses: 0: 207, 1-5: 181, 6-10: 13, 11-15: 4, 16-20: 1, 21 or more: 0
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 7: Social and Racial Justice
How important is it for the church to do social and racial justice work? (N=478)
Responses: Not Important: 12, Somewhat Important: 41, Important: 75, Very Important: 350
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 8: Collaborate
Did your congregation collaborate with others (N=405)
Responses: Yes: 226, No: 144, Unsure: 31, Not Applicable: 4
If yes, in what areas? (N=226)
Responses: Outreach: 66, Worship: 126, Events: 116, Formation: 59, Fellowship: 55, Other: 35, Evangelism: 12
If yes, has collaboration increased or decreased? (N=226)
Responses: Increased Somewhat: 66, Decreased Somewhat: 60, No Change: 55 Increased a Lot: 26
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 9: Bible Study
Does your parish offer Bible Study? (N-419)
Responses: Yes: 354, No: 57, Unsure: 8
If yes, how often? (N=354)
Responses: Daily: 5, Weekly: 281, Bi-Weekly: 10, Monthly:4, Occasionally: 57
If yes, in which format? (N=354)
Responses: In-Person: 110, Online: 72, Both: 175
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 10: Vitality
Six indicators of you congregation’s vitality (Strongly Disagree <—> Strongly Agree). (N=482)
Responses:
Understanding congregation’s vision and mission, Strongly Disagree: 14, Disagree: 48, Neutral / No Opinion: 42, Agree: 212, Strongly Agree: 166
Empowering laity, Strongly Disagree: 18, Disagree: 39, Neutral / No Opinion: 26, Agree: 220, Strongly Agree: 179
Inclusion, Strongly Disagree: 23, Disagree: 97, Neutral / No Opinion: 59, Agree: 207, Strongly Agree: 96
Welcoming change, Strongly Disagree: 28, Disagree: 131, Neutral / No Opinion: 106, Agree: 179, Strongly Agree: 38
Working out differences in a healthy way, Strongly Disagree: 30, Disagree: 91, Neutral / No Opinion: 119, Agree: 200, Strongly Agree: 42
Nurturing faith, Strongly Disagree: 5, Disagree: 27, Neutral / No Opinion: 45, Agree: 228, Strongly Agree: 177
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 11: Easter Questions
How important is it to you that Jesus physically rose from the dead? (N=516)
Responses:
Very Important: 279
Important: 92
Not Important: 82
Somewhat Important: 62
What types of services is your congregation offering on Easter Sunday? (N=516)
Responses:
In-Person Only: 61
Online Only: 5
Both In-Person and Online: 451
What strategies your congregation is undertaking to bring new people to your church on Easter Sunday? (N=466)
Responses:
Facebook Posts (Unpaid): 390
Roadside Signage: 159
Newspaper Ads: 89
Instagram Posts or Stories: 87
Boosted Facebook Posts or Ads: 79
Mass Mailings: 62
Instagram Ads: 14
Bumper Stickers: 11
Google Ads: 10
Radio Ads: 8
Tweets: 31
Twitter Ads: 6
TikTok Posts: 3
TikTok Ads: 2
TV Ads: 1
Other: Email, Phone Calls, Press Releases, Website, Hand-Written Notes, Newsletter, Baptisms, Face-to-Face, Promise of Mimosas: 87
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 12: Easter Vigil
Did your congregation hold an Easter Vigil this year? (N=493)
Responses:
Yes = 70% (we held an Easter Vigil this year)
No = 19% (we did not hold an Easter Vigil this year)
Never = 11% (we never hold an Easter Vigil)
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 13: Faith and Society
How comfortable do you feel engaging with issues at the intersection of faith and society? (N=435)
Responses:
Very Comfortable: 52%
Comfortable: 37%
Uncomfortable: 8%
Very Uncomfortable: 3%
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 14: Let's Learn About...
Which topics/issues do you/your congregants want to learn more about? (N=411)
Responses:
Spiritual Practices & Tools: 294
Bible: 286
Racial/Ethnic Reconciliation: 233
Sharing Your Faith: 213
Episcopal Tradition: 209
Theology: 205
Systemic/Structural Racism: 189
Episcopal Doctrine: 167
Church Leadership: 94
Other: 49
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 15: Young Adults
What percentage of your congregation is young adults (18-25)? (N=339)
Responses: 0%: 56, 1-20%: 313, 21-40%: 20, 41-60%: 2, 61-80%: 0, 81-100%: 0
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 16: Hidden Opportunities
Where in congregational life have you found hidden opportunities in the disruption caused by the pandemic? (N=322)
Administration: None: 103, Some: 163, Many: 49, Very Many: 7
Discipleship & Formation: None: 45, Some: 172, Many: 89, Very Many: 16
Evangelism: None: 76, Some: 162, Many: 68, Very Many: 16
Outreach - Social Justice: None: 95, Some: 134, Many: 65, Very Many: 28
Outreach - Community Service & Partnerships: None: 66, Some: 156, Many: 74, Very Many: 26
Property/Building Use: None: 142, Some: 136, Many: 35, Very Many: 9
Worship & Spirituality: None: 22, Some: 135, Many: 125, Very Many: 40
Other: None: 233, Some: 55, Many: 24, Very Many: 10
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 17: Populations
Which immigrant populations are represented in your congregation? (N=310)
Responses: Asian: 124, African: 145, Caribbean: 93, Central or South American: 97, Eastern European: 71, Middle Eastern: 41, Pacific Islander: 26, Other: 87
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 18: Ethnicities
Which racial-ethnic groups are represented in your congregation? (N=345)
Responses: America Indian/Native American: 56, Asian: 183, Black or African American: 258, Hispanic or Latino: 208, Middle-Eastern: 68, Pacific Islander: 41, White (non-Hispanic): 328, Other Race or Ethnicity: 32, People with More Than One Race or Ethnicity: 145
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 19: Open Communion
Does your congregation practice open communion? (select all that apply) (N=452)
Responses:
Yes – with verbal announcement: 239
Yes – with bulletin announcement: 128
Yes – with verbal conditions: 33
Yes – with bulletin conditions: 21
No – with verbal announcement: 83
No – with bulletin announcement: 99
Neither – we don't address the issue: 44
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 20: Services
Other than Sunday morning offerings, which of the following services does your congregation offer one or more days of the week? (N=413)
Responses:
Morning Prayer: In-Person: 40, Online: 70, Both: 42, Neither: 253, Don't Know: 8
Noonday Prayer: In-Person: 25, Online: 24, Both: 11, Neither: 344, Don't Know: 9
Evening Prayer: In-Person: 25, Online: 39, Both: 22, Neither: 314, Don't Know: 13
Evensong: In-Person: 25, Online: 4, Both: 33, Neither: 341, Don't Know: 10
Compline: In-Person: 16, Online: 77, Both: 17, Neither: 289, Don't Know: 14
Healing Prayer: In-Person: 101, Online: 8, Both: 22, Neither: 255, Don't Know: 27
Other Eucharistic Service: In-Person: 142, Online: 8, Both: 57, Neither: 186, Don't Know: 20
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 21: Property
Does your congregation leverage its building and property to bring resources to the community it serves? (N=352):
Responses:
Yes (153)
Yes but would like to do more (127)
No but would like to (28)
No (24)
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 22: Small
In the last year, have you participated in a small group in order to support each other in integrating their faith in their daily life and work? (N=495)
Responses:
Yes: 312
No: 183
In the last year, what percentage of your congregation has participated in a small group in order to support each other in integrating their faith in their daily life and work? (N=495)
Responses:
0%: 41 (8%)
1-20%: 269 (54%)
21-40%: 87 (18%)
41-60%: 24 (5%)
61-80%: 9 (2%)
81-100%: 3 (1%)
Don't Know: 62 (13%)
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 23: Sharing
In the last year, have shared something about your faith with someone outside of church or your immediate family? (N=372):
Responses:
Yes: 353 (95%)
No: 19 (5%)
In the last year, what percentage of your congregation has shared something about their faith with someone outside of church or their immediate family? (N=372)
Responses:
0-20%: 104 (28%)
21-40%: 145 (39%)
41-60%: 56 (15%)
61-80%: 29 (8%)
81-100%: 12 (3%)
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 24: Rush
To what extent are families/households with young children (i.e., preschool-age) returning to church attendance and/or engagement compared to their involvement before COVID? (N=395)
Responses:
Rushing back (increased participation): 39 (10%)
Slowly returning (same participation): 238 (60%)
Not around at all (steep decline in participation): 118 (30%)
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 25: Status
What is the status of your online worship service(s) in these almost but not really post-Covid times? (N=404)
Responses:
We never offered any online worship services: 12 (3%)
We discontinued our online worship services: 14 (3%)
We continue offering live streamed video of our in-person services: 353 (83%)
We are designing our online worship services to suit the specific needs of an online congregation: 11 (3%)
Other: 37 (9%)
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 26: Reach Out
How far outside your congregation’s walls does your outreach reach? (N=383)
Responses:
No Outreach: 9 (2.3%)
Onsite only: 16 (4.2%)
Neighborhood wide: 30 (7.8%)
Citywide: 119 (31.1%)
Regionwide: 60 (15.7%)
Diocese wide: 25 (6.5%)
Statewide: 11 (2.9%)
Province wide: 0 (0.0%)
Nationwide: 7 (1.8%)
Worldwide: 99 (25.8%)
Don't know: 7 (1.8%)
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 27: A Difference
Our congregation makes such a difference in the neighborhoods around it that if it closed tomorrow, the community would immediately notice. (N=409)
Responses:
Strongly Disagree: 39 (9.5%)
Disagree: 82 (20%)
Agree: 156 (38.1%)
Strongly Agree: 132 (32.3%)
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 28: Diagnostics
Which vitality diagnostic tools are you aware of? Have you used? (N=409)
Responses:
Holy Cow: Aware=19.5, Used=15.9, Unaware=64.6
Church Health Assessment Tool: Aware=7.8, Used=2.1, Unaware=90.1
Church Mirror: Aware=0.9, Used=0.0, Unaware=99.1
Congregational Vitality Assessment (CVA): Aware=27.0, Used=8.4, Unaware=64.6
Renewal Works: Aware=27.6, Used=7.5, Unaware=64.9
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 29: Demographics
Which neighborhood demographic tools are you aware of? Have you used? (N=312)
Responses:
EYN (Explore Your Neighborhood) – Aware: 8%, Used: 9%, Unaware: 83%
KYC (Know Your Community) – Aware: 6%, Used: 2%, Unaware: 92%
MFC (MapDash for Faith Communities) – Aware: 10%, Used: 2%, Unaware: 89%
MAP (Ministry Area Profile) – Aware: 7%, Used: 11%, Unaware: 88%
MIS (MissionInSite) – Aware: 4%, Used: 5%, Unaware: 91%
NMIR (Neighborhood Missional Intelligence Report) – Aware: 10%, Used: 2%, Unaware: 82%
ReGIS – Aware: 3%, Used: 1%, Unaware: 96%
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 30: Reconcile
To the best of your knowledge (check all that apply): Does your congregation or diocese offer any programs in racial reconciliation? Have you participated in any racial reconciliation programs offered by your congregation or diocese? (N=402)
Responses:
Congregation Offers – Yes: 45%, No: 50%, Don’t Know: 5%
Diocese Offers – Yes: 78%, No: 7%, Don’t Know: 15%
Participated in Congregational Program – Yes: 38%, No: 62%
Participated in Diocesan Program – Yes: 48%, No: 52%
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 31: Endowment
Does your congregation have an endowment? (N=381)
Responses:
YES (My congregation does have an endowment): 73% (277)
NO (My congregation doesn’t have an endowment? 27% (105)
If so, what does your congregation primarily use the investment proceeds for? (N=277)
Responses:
Normal Operating–Undesignated: 38% (104)
Normal Operating–Designated (staff, programs, etc.): 14% (38)
Buildings & Grounds–Deferred Maintenance: 10% (28)
Buildings & Grounds–General Maintenance: 8% (23)
Outreach–External Charitable Organizations: 5% (14)
Buildings & Grounds–New Construction: 3% (8)
Outreach–Congregant Delivered: 2% (5)
Other: 20% (56)
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 32: Giving
Why do you give to your congregation? (N=468)
Responses:
I give because of who I am: 327 (73%)
I give because of why I am asked: 42 (9%)
I give because of the ministry asking: 29 (7%)
I give because of how I am asked: 5 (1%)
I give because of the person asking: 1 (less than 1%)
Other: 42 (9%)
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 33: Changes
In what areas of congregational life has the pandemic made lasting changes in how your church pursues its ministries? (N=324)
Responses:
Administration – Worse: 19%, N/C: 43%, Better: 38%
Discipleship/Formation – Worse: 31%, N/C: 32%, Better: 37%
Evangelism – Worse: 24%, N/C: 44%, Better: 32%
Outreach: Social Justice – Worse: 13%, N/C: 57%, Better: 31%
Outreach: Cmty Svc/Partnerships – Worse: 23%, N/C: 41%, Better: 36%
Property/Building Use – Worse: 34%, N/C: 36%, Better: 32%
Worship & Spirituality – Worse: 25%, N/C: 18%, Better: 57%
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 34: Ideal
In your opinion… What would be the ideal relationship between congregations and their dioceses? What is the actual relationship between your congregation and your diocese?
Responses:
Congregations Serve Diocese – Ideal: 1% (4), Actual: 49% (161)
Dioceses Serves Congregations – Ideal: 22% (73), Actual: 16% (52)
Congregations & Diocese Partner – Ideal: 76% (259), Actual: 27% (89)
Don’t Know/No Opinion – Ideal: 1% (2), Actual: 6% (26)
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 35: Campus Ministry
Does your congregation have a campus ministry? (N=322)
Responses:
Yes - 49 (15%)
No - 269 (84%)
Don't Know - 4 (1%)
Episcopal Pulse Pilot Survey 36: Stewardship Campaign
When your congregational leadership holds it stewardship campaign, what do they call the financial commitments they are asking for? (N=368)
Responses:
Pledges: 322
Giving Estimates: 19
Statements of Intent: 3
Other (Comment via Email): 23
Don't Know: 1