1	2005 Profile of Parish Practices The Orthodox Church in America - All Dioceses
2	The Preparation of the 2005 Profile of Parish Life Survey In 2005, parish priests from every diocese of The Orthodox Church in America were invited to participate in an online survey on parish life and practices. While the number of survey participants was not a scientific sampling, the 260 priests responding represented 51% of all assigned parish priests across North America. Those results may now be viewed in this presentation.
3	The Preparation of the 2005 Profile of Parish Life Survey The Survey had several objectives: Provide a profile of the “typical” characteristics of an OCA parish Help parish priest/leaders to compare their parishes with other similar parishes Compare with both past and future results Compare growing parishes vs. non-growing parishes Compare different aspects and features of growing parishes
4	The Preparation of the 2005 Profile of Parish Life Survey Questions addressed parish life in 10 different areas: Parish Data Worship & Sacraments Education Outreach & Evangelization Structure & Administration Social & Other Activities Inter-Orthodox & Ecumenical Relations Parish Practices Parish Challenges Assistance to Parishes from The Orthodox Church in America
5	The Results of the 2005 Profile of Parish Life Survey The results displayed many encouraging signs: Nearly 56% of priests indicated their parish was experiencing either “Good growth” or “Fair growth.” Only 4% said their parishes were in “Serious decline.” Over 82% said their parish had either “Stayed the same” or “Gotten younger;” 18% said their parish had “Gotten older.” 83% use English exclusively, 14% use English and another liturgical language, and only 3% use a liturgical language other than English exclusively. 20% said their parish had more than 40% converts, while another 20% said that number was 60% or higher.
6	Survey Results NB: Results shown are rounded
7	General Parish Data NB: Results shown are rounded
8	Q1: Which statement best describes your parish's numerical growth in the last three years?
9	Q2: What is the size of your parish, including children?
10	Q3: In the past 3 years, the average age of parishioners has…
11	Q4: When was your parish founded?
12	Q5: Has your parish experienced a recent influx of immigrants?
13	Q6: How many rectors has your parish had in the last 10 years?
14	Q7: In what diocese is your parish located?
15	Worship & Sacraments NB: Results shown are rounded
16	Q8: In what language are your services?
17	Q9: Typically, how many services are scheduled in your parish on a weekly basis?
18	Q10 (part I): In a given month, what percentage of your parishioners attend church on a typical Sunday:
19	Q10 (part II): In a given month, what percentage of your parishioners attend Saturday vespers/vigil:
20	Q10 (part III): In a given month, what percentage of your parishioners attend church on non-Sunday feast day:
21	Q10 (part IV): In a given month, what percentage of your parishioners attend something at Church other than Sunday liturgy:
22	Q11: What percentage of your parishioners:
23	Q12: Liturgical music in our parish is done by or congregationally we sing:
24	Q13: The musical tradition of our parish is mostly:
25	Q14: We have:
26	Education NB: Results shown are rounded
27	Q15: What percent of the adult members actually now participate in adult education?
28	Q16 (Part I): What are the greatest challenges facing your adult education program?
29	Q16 (Part II): What are the greatest challenges facing your church school program?
30	Outreach & Evangelization NB: Results shown are rounded
31	Q17: What proportion of your parish consists of converts to Orthodoxy?
32	Q18: How are your converts prepared to enter the Orthodox Church?
33	Q19: How did those who have joined your church (converts or “born Orthodox”) find you?
34	Q20: Describe your parish’s interaction with the local neighborhood and the city
35	Q20: Describe your parish’s interaction with the local neighborhood and the city (cont.) The following ranked 6^th – 10^th in responses: Community alliance/coalition (parish as center of community events) Immigration assistance Marriage/family counseling Social services aid (e.g., job placement, Social Security, transportation, etc.) Scouting programs
36	Structure & Administration NB: Results shown are rounded
37	Q21: The leadership in our parish council primarily consists of:
38	Q22: Actual Parish Council meeting time is primarily focused on:
39	Q23: Does your parish propose and adopt an annual budget for the coming year:
40	Q24: Is your parish dealing with the following facilities issues?
41	Q25: What are the greatest challenges facing your parish council?
42	Social & Other Activities NB: Results shown are rounded
43	Q26: How many "family centered" (social, educational or recreational) events does your parish offer in an average month?
44	Q27: Besides liturgy, what events does your parish offer to attract the following groups to the church?
45	Inter-Orthodox & Ecumenical Relations NB: Results shown are rounded
46	Q28: Which statement best characterizes the regularity of your parish’s relations with other Orthodox parishes in your area:
47	Q29: Which statement best characterizes the quality of your parish’s relations with (the majority of) other Orthodox parishes in your area:
48	Q30: In the last three years how have your parish’s relations with other Orthodox parishes in your area changed?
49	Q31: Which statement best characterizes the regularity of your parish’s relations with other non-Orthodox parishes in your area:
50	Q32: Which statement best characterizes the quality of your parish’s relations with (the majority of) other non-Orth. parishes in your area:
51	Q33: In the last three years how have your parish’s relations with other non-Orthodox parishes in your area changed?
52	Q34: If you are in regular contact with non-Orthodox clergy, with regard to the Orthodox Faith, do you find them:
53	Parish Practices NB: Results shown are rounded
54	Q35/36: Which of the following practices are in use in your parish?
55	Q35/36: Next five answers: Bible study (118) Parish brochure (117) Ladies group (111) Newspaper listing of service times (97) Pledge form for indicating annual financial commitment (95)
56	Parish Challenges NB: Results shown are rounded
57	Q37: What are your parish’s greatest strengths; What aspects of your parish need to be improved?
58	Q38: Name 1 change that your parish made in the last three years that added positively to parish life:
59	Q39: What seem to be the biggest stumbling blocks to parish growth or health in your parish?
60	Q40: what changes must your parish make to thrive, not just survive, in the next 5 years?
61	Assistance to Parishes from The Orthodox Church in America NB: Results shown are rounded
62	Q41: What are the top 2-3 issues concerning parish life that The Orthodox Church in America should address in the next 3-4 years?