Environics/Analytics Congregational Reports

Purpose

Following a successful pilot project, the Environics Ministry Report is now available for congregations and other ministries across the church on an ongoing basis.

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What Is the Congregational Report?

The Environics/Analytics Congregational Report provides information to help congregations develop new and stronger relationships. It is for new relationships with people beyond the congregation, including potential newcomers, and it is for deeper relationships within the congregation, through a better understanding of both.

Based on the postal codes of households in the congregation, the report first defines the congregation’s catchment or service areas and identifies the predominant community types making up the congregation. It then provides information about the social values, lifestyle choices, and other demographic characteristics of these neighbourhoods.

A wide variety of information is provided, including:

• a dot-map of the congregation’s current households
• an executive summary of key demographic data
• density maps indicating the neighbourhoods with the largest numbers of United Church affiliates
• people of no religion
• people in the Emerging Spirit* demographic
• a report on which handful of the 66 Canadian community types are predominant in the congregation, describing what social values and lifestyle behaviours characterize these communities; this information particularly offers insight into the spiritual dilemmas and questions of the people
• the particular community types that characterize the 30- to 45-year-old, no-religion segment of Canadian society (the Emerging Spirit demographic), highlighted within the congregation and its surrounding community
• a connection between the information about the congregation and the 18 United Church characteristics that are being used in the Emerging Spirit program, including a list of current United Church resources that will help congregations develop particular character traits
• a suggested process to engage the congregation with the information in the report and uses of the report to enhance relationships in the community and with the congregation

The reports have shown themselves to be effective tools in helping congregations develop relationships and a more effective mission.

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Potential Benefits of a Report

• Help clarify your congregation’s sense of purpose and calling.
• Come to a deeper understanding of the people in your congregation.
• Foster conversation about who lives in the neighbourhoods of your congregation and what their spiritual dilemmas and questions may be.
• Foster conversation, thinking, and action toward effectively welcoming newcomers.
• Be proactive rather than reactive to our present mission context of profound change.
• Resist scarcity thinking by identifying and celebrating the great gifts of people and diversity with which God has entrusted your community of faith.
• Spark thinking about fresh approaches to ministry and mission.
• Encourage thinking and planning for the future in light of the social and demographic trends of your community.
• Connect with other congregations and share insights and struggles as you grapple with all of these.

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Who Might Benefit

Congregations in the following situations may particularly want to participate:

• congregations involved in strategic planning or mission visioning processes
• congregations involved in a change in a pastoral relationship or Joint Needs Assessment process
• congregations considering amalgamation or other form of structural union or cooperative ministry
• congregations making an intentional response to the Emerging Spirit campaign
• presbyteries looking at issues of strategy relating to amalgamations, area ministries, new church development, and church closures
• any congregation that wants to renew its mission program, worship, life, and work
• congregations with a passion for learning and curiosity about God’s great work for the church in this time

For more information, please contact

• Robert Dalgleish
  Executive Director
  EDGE: A Network for Ministry Development
  The United Church of Canada
  Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 4111
  Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4111
  E-mail: Robert Dalgleish
• Joanne Rose
  EDGE: A Network for Ministry Development
  The United Church of Canada
  Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 4157
  Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4157
  E-mail: Joanne Rose