Congregational Health Ministry Survey Report


 

Publication Date: September 2007

Publisher: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Author(s):

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Abstract:

The Congregational Health Ministry Survey was conducted by the National Council of Churches USA with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. More than 6,000 congregations responded to the survey. These congregations represent a collective 2.5 million members.

The survey was designed to:

* document the amount of congregational activity addressing health issues.
* portray the range and distribution of health and health care-related activities in congregations across the country; and
* describe the characteristics of congregations that are most involved in the provision of health services.

The survey shows that a majority of churches provide health care ministries in health education, direct health care services, and in advocacy of public policy issues related to healthcare. Seventy percent of responding churches provide direct health services, while 65 percent offer health education programs within their community.