The partnership will produce original research, insights, and tools to equip COGIC leaders to understand its members better.
Memphis, Tenn., — Barna Group and the Church of God in Christ,Inc. (COGIC) announced their partnership on a new research initiative to provide a broader understanding of the COGIC denomination, which currently represents more than 12,000 congregations in 105 countries around the world.
“As the culture we live in rapidly changes, it is important for Christian denominations to understand their churches and people to be able to serve them in informed, effective, and relevant ways,” said David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group. “We are excited to partner with COGIC and its leaders on this new research project. We anticipate that the findings and outcomes will be a helpful and informative compass for COGIC leaders in the years to come as they continue to build and grow their denomination, churches and members.”
The multiphase research study led by Barna will survey current COGIC members and church leaders to uncover key attributes of what is on the hearts and minds of congregants. Collaboratively, Barna Group and COGIC will explore key factors that impact relationships between the churches and their local communities, such as education, economic flourishing, family, job acquisition and retention, crime prevention, financial education, diversity, and more.
“We are proud of the rich history of COGIC and passionate about our beliefs. As such, it is critical that our influence remains as impactful as possible, so that shifts in our cultural, social and ideological landscape do not affect our ability to grow and effectively serve current and future members,” said Bishop J. Drew Sheard, COGIC Presiding Bishop. “We are thrilled to partner with Barna on this data-driven initiative to better inform and energize our leaders. We desire to learn more about our congregants and how to effectively minister to them as we continually seek to fulfill God’s purpose on this earth.”
The goal is that these insights will help frame COGIC conversations around future opportunities as the denomination and its churches and leaders continue toward their mission “to seek and save that which is lost.”
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Barna Group is a visionary research and resource company based in Dallas, Texas. Started in 1984, the firm is widely considered to be a leading research organization focused on the intersection of faith and culture. Conducting more than two million interviews over the course of thousands of studies, Barna has become a go-to source for insights about faith and culture, leadership and vocation and generations. Barna has worked with thousands of businesses, nonprofit organizations and churches across the U.S. and around the world. Barna is an independent, privately-held, nonpartisan organization based in Dallas, Texas, with offices in Nashville, Tennessee, Ventura, California, and Atlanta, Georgia.
The Church Of God In Christ is one of the oldest Pentecostal denominations in the World and the fourth largest Protestant group in the United States with 12,000 churches in 105 countries globally with millions of adherents.
Contact:
Robert Coleman Jr
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