The Congregational Health Ministry Survey

Key Findings

September 18, 2007

Summary: 

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 healthcare-related activities in congregations across the country.
• Describe the characteristics of congregations that are most involved in the provision of health services.

Key Findings 

The survey shows that a majority of churches provide healthcare ministries in health education, direct healthcare services, and in advocacy of public policy issues related to healthcare. Highlights from the findings include:

• Seventy percent of responding churches provide direct health services. Direct services reported include counseling, 12-Step Programs, emergency medical funding, mental health counseling, and even the professional support of a parish nurse or health minister.
• Sixty-five percent offer health education programs within their community. Education programs include providing information on the prevention of disease, maintaining the health of senior citizens, medical programs, and ways to overcome diseases ranging from obesity to HIV/AIDS.
• Reporting congregations have an average of 13.07 health-related activities each. The sample of 6,037 responding congregations reported a staggering total of 78,907 health ministry programs.
• Most reporting congregations provided healthcare ministries to members and non-members alike.
• The results indicate that 51 percent of responding congregations offer direct financial support to individuals who need help paying their medical bills.

o       Public policy advocacy was provided by 35 percent of the reporting congregations. Advocacy is done through preaching, group discussions, voter education, communications with government and healthcare providers and other activities.

o       Nearly 300 African American congregations responded to the survey, reporting the same creativity and variety of healthcare ministries as the total sample. 

The full survey report can be accessed online here.

The National Council of Churches USA is the ecumenical voice of 35 of America's Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, historic African American and traditional peace churches.  Those member communions represent 45 million faithful Christians in 100,000 congregations in all 50 states. 

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. The Foundation is the sponsor of Cover the Uninsured, the largest mobilization in history to create awareness of the need for action on the issue of the uninsured. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 30 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.

NCC contact:  Philip E. Jenks, 212.870.2228
RWJF contact: Erica Garland, 202.745.5110