BENCHMARK PROJECT PERSPECTIVE
The Benchmark strategy is based upon statistical analyses of over
1 million local church end-of-year reports—about 32,000 churches over 28 years. Noting that there are churches that successfully sustained growth, churches that remained stable, and churches that declined and ultimately closed, these church records tell important stories from which a strategy can be built. Using panel-based regression analysis, six major drivers of growth were identified:
- Pastoral changes
- Demographic changes in neighborhoods surrounding the church
- Facility improvements (through borrowing)
- Facility improvements (through capital campaigns)
- Spending on programs
- Spending on non-clergy staff
In the short run, local church leaders cannot directly influence two of these drivers: pastoral and demographic changes. Facility improvements typically require several years of planning, construction, and furnishing before church growth is affected. This leaves two drivers that a church can influence in a matter of months: programs and non-clergy staff.
The Benchmark Project was designed for local churches to grow. Participation requires an assessment of possible spending deficiencies by comparing a church’s funding for programs and non-clergy staff with that of growing churches of similar size and ethnic/racial composition of the congregation. The spending deficiencies (if any) must be repaired from new funds raised from generous member donors and spent for the sole purpose church growth. The result is predictable growth—quantified using regression results. The participating church should experience increases in worship attendance and giving to the operating budget. Donors provide new funds for two years, and the increased giving raises the budget so that the spending deficiencies are permanently repaired. The church is left with a permanent portion of the budget dedicated to growth. The Benchmark Project operates as a stimulus, funded by generous members, designed by church leaders, approved by the church council, and monitored by the finance committee.
From experiences with pilot churches participating in the Benchmark Project, the growth in worship attendance and giving exceeds predictions when church leaders are unified in an understanding of the purpose and the identity of the local church. Taking time to discern God’s will for each participating local church before spending plans are developed was found to significantly enhance growth in response to the new spending for programs and non-clergy staff.
Why We Do It
The world is missing out on the hope, truth, and power of the Gospel. The local church remains the best vehicle by which its message is spread. The secular press continues to challenge the work of the Church with its predictions of decline and rejection among the younger generations. Instead, the local church can grow and prove its capacity to change lives and communities. Growing Christian churches among our mainline denominations and beyond is a real possibility.
What We Use
- Local Church Geodata
- Local Church Indicators: Worship Attendance and Congregational Giving—past 5 years
- Local Church Spending Patterns—Past 5 years
- Pastoral leadership—Past 10 years
- Establishment of Benchmarks
- Statistical projections—Next 5 years
What We Do
ILCG works side by side with local church leaders to identify internal deficiencies through comparisons with thriving peer group outcomes. Comparisons bring broad solutions that are refined or customized by local church leaders. In the end, the local church becomes more effective in ministry to community and in making disciples of Christ.
How We Do It
ILCG takes a comprehensive approach to measuring and understanding the impacts of the changing composition of churches. Based upon statistical analyses of over 1 million local church records—about 32,000 churches over 28 years — sophisticated simulation models have been developed to scrutinize past experience, clarify present standing and discern the factors that provide the foundation for a vibrant future.
