The National Congregations Study (NCS) "dataset fills a void in the sociological study of congregations by providing, for the first time, data that can be used to draw a nationally aggregate picture of congregations" (Chaves et al. 1999, p.460). Thanks to innovations in sampling techniques, the NCS data is the first nationally representative sample of American congregations.
Manuscripts using this data file or codebook should contain the following citation: Chaves, Mark. 1998. National Congregations Study. Data File and Codebook. Tucson, Arizona: University of Arizona, Department of Sociology.
- Data File
- Cases: 1,236
Variables: 358
Weight Variables: WEIGHT1, WEIGHT2 - Data Collection
- Date Collected: 1998
- Funded By
- The Lilly Endowment, Inc. and additional grants from Smith Foundation, Inc., The Louisville Institute, The Nonprofit Sector Research Fund of The Aspen Institute, and The Henry Luce Foundation, Inc.
- Collection Procedures
- Telephone and in-person interviews with one key informant (i.e. priest, minister, rabbi, other clergy, paid staff member, or lay leader) from each congregation. The response rate was 80%. See Chaves et al. (1998) for more information on data collection procedures.
- Sampling Procedures
- The NCS data was collected in conjunction with the 1998 General Social Survey (GSS), a nationally representative sample of adults, using hypernetwork sampling. GSS respondents who attend religious services were asked to specify their congregation, which produced the sample of congregations. Weight variables control for multiple GSS respondents identifying the same congregation (WEIGHT1) and for larger congregations being more likely to be part of the sample (WEIGHT2). See Chaves et al. (1998) for more information on sampling procedures.
- Principal Investigators
- Mark Chaves
- Related Publications
- Chaves, Mark, Mary Ellen Konieczny, Kraig Beyerlein, and Emily Barman. 1999. "The National Congregations Study: Background, Methods, and Selected Results." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. 38(4): 458-476.
Chaves, Mark. 1998. National Congregations Study. Data file and codebook. Tucson, Arizona: University of Arizona, Department of Sociology. - Additional Notes
- For DENCODE3 and TRAD2:
These variables were constructed from the same question. DENCODE3 places respondents in a tradition, even if their response to HAVEDEN was 2='No.'
For NUMADLTS and IMPSIZE:
"NUMADLTS was used to create the weighting variable, WEIGHT2. Values were imputed for cases with missing data on NUMADLTS. The variable IMPSIZE is coded 1-'Size imputed for NUMADLTS' for cases for which size data were imputed" (Chaves 1998). If NUMREGLR was known, NUMADLTS was imputed by multiplying NUMREGLR by .72. If only NUMTOTAL was known, NUMADLTS was imputed by multiplying NUMTOTAL by .41. In three cases where no size data existed, the median value of 250 was imputed for NUMADLTS. Imputation was involved in a total of 48 cases.
For WEIGHT1:
"A weight variable that takes into account the fact that some congregations were nominated by multiple General Social Survey respondents. It is the NOMINATE variable, adjusted so that the overall N is 1236 when the weight is applied. When this weight is applied, univariate distributions represent the distribution of religious service attenders across congregations of various types" (Chaves 1998, 37).
WEIGHT2
"A weight variable that adjusts for the fact that a congregation's probability of appearing in the NCS sample is proportional to its size. It is the inverse of NUMADLTS, adjusted so that the overall N is 1236 when the weight is applied. When this weight is applied, univariate distributions represent the distribution of congregations without respect to how many people are in them" (Chaves 1998, 37).
For variable POS1: This variable was coded from verbatim responses to POS1. It identifies the position of the key informant who reported on the congregation's characteristics.
For variable HAVEDEN: This variable was coded 1-'YES' for congregations that we knew were affiliated with a denomination even if the informant responded 'No' to HAVEDEN. For example, if we found the congregation in denominational listings of congregations, we changed HAVEDEN to 1 and coded denomination affiliation accordingly. This was done mainly for Catholic churches.
For variables DENOM1, TRAD, DENCODE3, and TRAD2:
These questions were asked only if HAVEDEN=1-'YES.' Several denomination and religious tradition variables were constructed from the verbatim responses to DENOM1 and from other information. Four such variables are included on the public dataset:
(1) DENOM1 codes each congregation's denomination, either as reported in DENOM1 or, in some cases, from other sources.
(2) TRAD codes each congregation's religious tradition, without respect to formal affiliation with a denomination. For most congregations, TRAD=DENOM1. However, for congregations that did not report affiliation with a denomination, we sometimes were able to use other information (for example, the congregation's name) to identify the congregation's religious tradition. TRAD, therefore, may assign a congregation to a tradition even if HAVEDEN=2-'NO.'
(3) DENCODE3 combines the information from DENOM1 and TRAD to create an aggregated religious family variable. Note that DENCODE3 places congregations in a category if the religious tradition of the congregation was clear, even if HAVEDEN=2-'NO.' This coding mainly affected independent Baptist congregations, which are in the Baptist category on DENCODE3 even if they report no formal affiliation on HAVEDEN.
(4) TRAD2 uses DENCODE3 and TRAD to create a highly aggregated religious tradition variable of the sort often used in analyses. TRAD2 is not simply a recode of DENCODE3.
DENOM1 and TRAD can be used to construct aggregated religious family variables other than the ones we have constructed.
For variable TRAD2: "Black Christian" (TRAD2=3) means affiliated with one of the seven major denominations that are predominantly African-American. These denominations are: National Baptist Convention, Incorporated; National Baptist Convention, Unincorporated; Progressive National Baptist Convention; African Methodist Episcopal Church; African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; and the Church of God in Christ. Predominantly African-American congregations affiliated with predominantly white denominations are coded with their relevant religious tradition; they are not coded 3-'Black Christian' on TRAD2.
For variable LOCALAFF: The skip instruction attached to HAVEDEN was incorrect. When HAVEDEN=2-'NO,' informants should have been asked LOCALAFF, but instead interviewers were directed to BLDGTYPE. Because of this error, LOCALAFF was asked only of congregations who reported an affiliation with a denomination. LOCALAFF therefore should be used with caution and interpreted appropriately.
For variable NUMADLTS: Because NUMADLTS was used to create the weighting variable, WEIGHT2, we imputed a value to NUMADLTS for cases with missing data. See above for imputation procedure. IMPSIZE is coded 1-'Size imputed for NUMADLTS' for cases for which NUMADLTS was imputed.
For variables LENGTH through COMMUN: NUMSERV1 established a reference on which LENGTH through COMMUN are based. Congregations having only one (NUMSERV1=1) service in the past week are asked to think about this service. Congregations with multiple services (NUMSERV1>1) are asked to think about the "main" service in the past week. Congregations not having a service last week (NUMSERV1=0) are asked to think about the most recent service they did have.
For variable SERMTIME: If a congregation did not have a sermon (SERMON=2-'NO'), SERMTIME was set at zero.
For variable OTHWOR: If a congregation reported no joint worship services (JOINTWOR=2-'NO'), OTHWOR was set at 2-'NO.' Some congregations responded 'Yes' to this question, but then mentioned only Protestant congregations in the follow-up question, OTHWOR1,2,3. These responses were recoded to 'No' on OTHWOR. Some respondents answered 'Yes' to OTHWOR but provided no specifics in response to the follow-up open-ended question. In these cases, no change to OTHWOR was made. Also see remarks associated with OTHWOR1,2,3.
For variable ACTION through VISIT: Verbatim responses were coded into a series of dichotomous variables, each of which indicates whether a congregation mentioned a group of a particular type in response to the question, "For what purpose or purposes do these groups meet?" Note that these variables are not mutually exclusive. A group whose purpose is to discuss current events or community issues, for example, is coded 1-'YES' on both ACTION and DISCUSS. Note also that these variables are coded at the congregation level, not at the group level. This means that, if a congregation has 1 codes on several of these variables, analysts will not be able to judge whether those codes refer to one group or to more than one group. A group-level dataset is available from the Principal Investigator upon request.
If congregations have no groups (GRPX=0 and GRPY=0), these congregations are assigned a value of 0 on each variable representing the presence of groups of various types.
For variables ABUSEDA through TOTPROG: Informants were probed to describe as many programs as they could recall. Verbatim responses were coded into a series of dichotomous variables, each of which indicates whether a congregation mentioned a program of a particular type. A code of 1 means that a group of that sort was mentioned at least once in response to the question, "What projects or programs have you sponsored or participated in?" Note that these variables are not mutually exclusive. A program described as "feeding the homeless," for example, is coded 1-'YES' on both FOODA and HOMELESA. Note also that these variables are coded at the congregation level, not at the program level. This means that, if a congregation has 1 codes on several of these variables, analysts will not be able to judge whether those codes refer to one program or to more than one program. A program-level dataset is available from the Principal Investigator upon request.
If congregations do not have any social service groups (SOCLSERV=2-'NO'), these congregations are assigned a value of 0 on each variable representing the presence of groups of various types.
For variable GOVT through NOCOLL: Informants were asked "For each of these please tell me whether it is a program or project completely run by your congregation, or whether it is a program that is run by or in collaboration with other groups or organizations" with respect to every program mentioned. If they reported that a program involved collaboration, they were asked GOVT through NOCOLL and were allowed to mention up to two collaborators for each program. Verbatim responses to the question "With what other organizations does your congregation collaborate on this program?" were coded into a series of dichotomous variables, each of which indicates whether a congregation mentioned a collaborator of a particular type. For each collaborator variable listed below, a code of 1 means that a collaborator of that sort was mentioned for at least one program mentioned by the informant in response to the question "What projects or programs have you sponsored or participated in?" Note that these variables are not mu For variables COLL50 through URBAN: Each congregation (except one) was placed in a census tract, and 1990 census data for relevant tracts were appended to the congregational data. In order to protect respondent anonymity, full census data cannot be included on the public dataset. However, COLL50, POOR30, IMM5, BLCK80, UNEMP5, and URBAN, each constructed from 1990 census data, are included. Researchers interested in more detailed census data should contact the Principal Investigator.
COLL50: At least 50% of the individuals aged 25 years or more in the census tract have at least some college education.
POOR30: At least 30% of the individuals in the census tract are below the official poverty level.
IMM5: At least 5% of the individuals in the census tract arrived in the United States since 1980.
BLCK80: At least 80% of the individuals in the census tract are African-American.
UNEMP5: At least 5% of the individuals aged 16 years or more in the census tract are unemployed.
CATEGORY LABELS
Category labels for DENOM1
2 Catholic
3 Orthodox Judaism
4 Conservative Judaism
5 Reform Judaism
6 Judaism, unspecified
8 Moravian
9 Christian and Missionary Alliance
11 American Baptist Churches, U.S.A.
12 National Baptist Convention of America
13 National Baptist Convention, U.S.A.
14 Southern Baptist Convention
15 National Baptist
16 National Association of Free Will Baptists
17 Baptist, unspecified
18 Baptist Churches Association of America
19 Independent Baptist Churches
20 African Methodist Episcopal
21 African Methodist Episcopal Zion
22 United Methodist
23 Church of The United Brethren in Christ
24 International Pentecostal Church of Christ
30 Lutheran, Unspecified
31 Association of Free Lutheran Congregations
32 Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
33 Evangelical Lutheran Church Wisconsin Synod
35 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
36 Churches of God
37 Church of God in Christ
40 Presbyterian Church of America
41 Evangelical Presbyterian Church
42 Cumberland Presbyterian Church
43 Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.
44 Disciples of Christ
45 Evangelical Church
46 Evangelical Reformed
47 Evangelical Free Church
48 Elim Fellowship
49 Christian Church of North America General Council
50 Episcopal Church
51 Reformed Episcopal Church
52 Full Gospel
53 Foursquare Gospel
54 Baptist Bible Fellowship
55 Free Methodist Church
58 Jehovah's Witness
59 Mormons, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)
61 Reorganized LDS
62 General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
63 Conservative Mennonite Conference
64 Mennonite Church
65 Church of The Nazarene
66 Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
67 Pentecostal Church of God
68 United Church of Religious Science
69 Pentecostal Holiness
70 United Pentecostal Council
77 Seventh-day Adventists
80 Unitarian Universalist
81 United Church of Christ
83 Wesleyan
93 National Missionary Baptist
95 Unity Church
97 Calvary Chapel
100 Fellowship of Grace Brethren
101 Church of The Living God
102 Divine Science
119 Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)
120 Pentecostal, unspecified
133 Primitive Baptist
134 Independent Fundamental Church of America
138 Worldwide Apostolic Church
145 Restoration Movement
148 National Spiritualist Association
149 Assemblies of God
152 Church of the Brethren
157 Christian Reformed
158 Church of Christ Scientist
159 Congregational Christian Churches
161 Evangelical Covenant
162 Reformed Church in America
163 Progressive National Baptist Convention
164 General Association of Regular Baptist Churches
165 Baptist General Conference
166 Church of Christ
167 Churches of Christ
171 Apostolic
172 Church of Lutheran Brethren
173 Holy Church of Deliverance
174 Fellowship of Inner City Word of Faith Ministry
175 Evangelistic Church and Mission Association
176 Willow Creek Association
177 Morning Star International Ministries
178 Christian Evangelistic Assembly
179 Ukrainian Orthodox
180 Sunni Orthodox
181 Greek Orthodox
182 Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese
183 Conservative Baptist Association of America
184 Baptist Missionary Association of America
185 Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)
186 Orthodox Church in America
187 Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus Service
188 Independent Christian Church Association
189 Armenian
190 Church of God
191 North American Baptist Conference
192 Independent Assemblies
193 Christian Evangelistic Assemblies
194 North American Christian Convention
195 Masonic Temple
196 Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
197 Islamic
198 Buddhist
199 Evangelical Missions Foundation
200 Hindu
300 Unspecified Christian
333 Interdenominational
For variables (CLERGAGE, NUMUSE, FEMSPKR, MALESPKR, PRGSTAF2, CONSULT2, NUMSERV1, NUMCHOIR, TOTPROG) 97= Refused, 98= Don't know, 99= All other missing data (some legitimate skips may be coded 99).
For variables (MAINMALE, MAINFEM, NUMCOMM, SPEAKRS2, NUMTEENS, NUMGRPX, FTSTAFF, MUSICMIN, PTSTAFF, NUMSPOKE, SERMTIME, NUMGRPY, NUMCLASS) 997= Refused, 998= Don't know, and 999= All other missing data (some legitimate skips may be coded 999).
For variables (PRGVOL2, LEADERS, FEMLEAD, MALELEAD, MAINSIZE, ATTMORE, INGRPX, NUMADULT, INCHOIR, INGRPY, NUMKIDS, FOUNDED, STRTWRSH, CLERYEAR) 9997= Refused, 9998= Don't know, and 9999= All other missing data (some legitimate skips may be coded 9999).
For variables (NUMREGLR, NUMATTND) 99997= Refused, 99998= Don't know, and 99999= All other missing data (some legitimate skips may be coded 99999).
For variables (FOUND2, SPNDREL2, NUMTOTAL) 999997= Refused, 999998= Don't know, and 999999= All other missing data (some legitimate skips may be coded 999999).
For variables (PROGCOST, INCBLDG2, GOVFUND2, SPNDDEM2, INCDEN2) 9999997= Refused, 9999998= Don't know, and 9999999= All other missing data (some legitimate skips may be coded 9999999).
For variables (ENDOWAMT, INCOME, INCIND, SPEND) 99999997= Refused, 99999998= Don't know, and 99999999= All other missing data (some legitimate skips may be coded 99999999).
