National Church Life Survey 2011 – worship resources available

NCLS is providing worship service resources to help congregations integrate completion of the 2011 National Church Life Survey into their services.

Twenty years of experience has shown that churches find the National Church Life Survey process most useful when survey completion is effectively integrated into the worship service or Mass for that day.

Doing so encourages attenders to participate in the survey in a reflective way and with a view to contributing to the further development of the life and mission of their church.

The resources are optional and have been prepared by people from a diversity of denominations and worship traditions. They include: preparing your congregation, integrating the survey into the liturgy, prayers, reflections on the lectionary and other biblical reflections.

The resources are available on the NCLS website.

Uniting Church congregations around Australia will undertake the National Church Life Survey in November.

The survey will provide vital information to assist the church in planning and living out its mission.

NCLS says there are many reasons for churches to participate in the survey but two overriding reasons to take up the once-in-five-years opportunity are:

1. It is the largest survey of church life in the world and it not only informs church leadership across the country but also speaks to the wider non-church community about the church’s values, strengths and activities, thus dispelling some of the myths that abound. It’s important for every church’s voice to be part of this witnessing, this conversation.
2. The findings for each church from its involvement in the survey will be presented back in the form of a unique and informative Church Life Profile. Churches have found this an invaluable aid in their planning for future mission and growth.

It is still possible for congregations to submit late orders.

Uniting Mission & Education in the Synod of New South Wales and the ACT is offering subsidies to up to 250 congregations taking part in the 2011 National Church Life Survey.

Each presbytery will be allocated a proportionate number of subsidies to ensure that they are fairly distributed across the Synod.

The subsidy will cover the cost of participation in the survey at $200 per congregation (including any linked or multi-centre congregations).

For more information about survey orders, contact Allison Forrest, Regional Coordinator,  8267 4394.

Visit the NCLS 2011 website for information about this year’s survey.