Church Research Council formed to renew Churches of Christ directory
Are Churches of Christ declining in the United States? “That’s…
Editorial: Why the number in the pews matters
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‘The Churches of Christ salute you.”
A line from the final chapter of the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Rome has served as a calling card of sorts for our fellowship — and the citation for our name.
But how can we offer salutations from those we don’t know?
Related: Church Research Council formed to renew Churches of Christ directory
For several decades, 21st Century Christian’s the “Churches of Christ in the United States” — originally published by Firm Foundation Publishing as “Where the Saints Meet” — has offered the most comprehensive directory of congregations in the U.S.
But the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors disrupted the data collection process, which had been conducted every three years.
It’s now been eight years since the last directory was published — and anecdotal evidence points to some significant changes in the makeup of Churches of Christ in that period.
Past directories of Churches of Christ in the U.S. are displayed.
That’s why The Christian Chronicle last year partnered with 21st Century Christian, Heritage21 and the Siburt Institute for Church Ministry to create an updated directory through the nonprofit Church Research Council.
We believe this project will allow us to more easily find and connect with our fellow Christians and more accurately know how many of us exist. And we hope it will help us offer insights into how each congregation is doing and ways we can help the body of Christ grow.
Stan Granberg
“Everyone is asking questions about ‘How do we do church today?’” noted Stan Granberg, who directs CRC. “Because the whole landscape of church in America has so radically shifted that everyone’s asking that question. …
“It’s not about being progressive or traditional,” he added. “It’s just for everyone to share: What are you doing? And how is it working for you in your place? And that’s just a very encouraging story — to know that there are things we can do, because there are lots of healthy churches out there.”
Beyond demographics, the survey addresses five areas: identity streams, worship activities, discipleship activities, community engagement programs and leadership. Since data collection began early this year, CRC has received responses from about 20 percent of known congregations.
States that have had a particularly low response rate include Alabama, Arizona, Maine and South Carolina, Granberg said.
“It’s just for everyone to share: What are you doing? And how is it working for you in your place? … There are lots of healthy churches out there.”
Churches that respond by June will have their updated information included in a new print directory that will be published in early 2026, but responses will continue to be accepted later. Additionally, the CRC website will offer more comprehensive information and trends based on the data collected.
We urge all of our readers to participate in this effort: If you’re a church leader, please fill out the questionnaire for your congregation — online and printable versions in English and Spanish can be found at crc-coc.org. If you’re a church member, please pass this information along to an elder or minister.
Ideally, every church will fully complete the survey, but basic demographic information is all that is required.
Knowing more about where God’s people meet and how they’re faring, we believe, will help all of us to build up his Kingdom.
CALVIN COCKRELL is the media editor for The Christian Chronicle and serves as the young adult minister for the North Tuscaloosa Church of Christ in Alabama. Reach him at [email protected].
