The U.S. Congregational Vitality Survey
The U.S. Congregational Vitality survey (USCVS) is designed to help you understand the attitudes, opinions, and perceptions of worshipers and leaders in your congregations. It was created through a collaboration between sociologists, theologians, and Christian educators in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We’ve been helping congregations measure their vitality since 2001.
The USCVS is designed to help a congregation assess its strengths based on seven marks of congregational vitality—discipleship, outward focus, evangelism, servant leadership, worship, caring relationships, and ecclesial health.
The USCVS is not a test. There are no right or wrong answers.
Congregational life is not simple. Our research demonstrates that all congregations have strengths. Further, congregations require multiple strengths to be effective. A congregation that excels in serving the community, but lacks any other strength is little more than a social service agency. A congregation that excels in providing a sense of belonging where people care for one another, but lacks other strengths, is little more than a social club.
-From Beyond the Ordinary: Ten Strengths of U.S. Congregations (Woolever and Bruce, Westminster John Knox Press, 2004).
