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Criteria
for Assessing Parishes and Congregations
The Parish/Congregation Study has
compiled a list of some 300 excellent Protestant congregations
and 300 excellent Catholic parishes. We asked numerous scholars,
pastors, religion journalists, religion professors, and
denominational leaders nationwide to recommend the "best of the
best" churches and parishes, and their recommendations comprise
the majority of the list. We also read extensively about thriving
congregations and parishes in recently published books and
religious journals, and added some of the churches and parishes
featured in those publications to the list. We then either
visited or requested substantiating information about each parish
and church. Although this list is certainly not exhaustive, and
without a doubt it does not contain every outstanding parish and
church in the country, it is a good sampling of
excellence.
Here are some criteria that we
considered when selecting parishes and congregations:
- A joyful spirit is evident; a
"habit of being" is nurtured; a place where people readily come
and enjoy being part of this community.
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- Aware of the diversity of the
members; open and willing to adapt to various needs and
groups.
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- Welcoming and accessible to
everyone within its community; people feel comfortable saying
what they need, telling their story.
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- Emphasis on true spirituality and
a deep relationship with God, not only social interaction. Has a
sense of God's complexity, doesn't base its theology or approach
on one characteristic of God.
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- Innovative, thoughtful
worship--alive, appealing, yet reverent.
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- A place where decisions are made
collaboratively, not only by the pastor or a small group of
leaders; broad lay involvement is encouraged and
expected.
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- Instills values of a true
Christian community; a significant bond exists between
members.
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- Sees value in Christian
tradition, yet is not static.
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- Teaching and preaching are
scripture-based; not merely practicing "feel good" religion that
waters down the true meaning and demands of
scripture.
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- Attempts to boldly confront real
problems within its membership and community. Not content with
its successes.
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- Reaches out to the people and
needs of the surrounding area and beyond.
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