Evangelization and Outreach in U.S. Orthodox Parishes

"Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach Efforts in U.S. Orthodox Parishes" is the first ever national study on evangelization and outreach practices in U.S. Orthodox Christian Churches. The study was initiated by and conducted under the auspices of the Committee for Agencies and Endorsed Organizations of the Assembly of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. It surveys the priests of 75 Orthodox congregations across the U.S. concerning the demographic composition, context, congregational life, and outreach efforts of their parish.

Data File

Cases: 75
Variables: 68
Weight Variable: None

Data Collection

Date Collected: 2016

Original Survey (Instrument)

Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in U.S. Orthodox Parishes

Funded By

Committee for Agencies and Endorsed Organizations, Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA

Collection Procedures

Email invitation to online survey.

Sampling Procedures

Seven U.S. Orthodox jurisdictions participated in the first stage of the study "Living Out Our Faith: Evangelization and Outreach Efforts in U.S. Orthodox Parishes:"

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese
American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Orthodox Church in America
Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese
Serbian Orthodox Church
Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Each jurisdiction participating in the study selected five parishes that - from the perspective of the jurisdictional liaisons - can be seen as exemplary in their evangelization and outreach efforts. Side-by-side with the "exemplary parishes," each jurisdiction also selected a group of "normal" parishes: i.e. the parishes that could be seen as "typical" for this or that jurisdiction. A comprehensive online survey was completed by the clergy in both "exemplary" and "normal" parishes. One of the questions in the survey asked: "Would you say that your parish is truly 'outreach oriented'?" This question was used as a "control question." That is, if a parish community was designated by its jurisdictional liaison as exemplary in its evangelization and outreach efforts, but, at the same time responded "no" or "not sure" to the question "Would you say that your parish is truly 'outreach oriented'?" such parishes were removed from the sample. Similarly, if a parish was designated by its jurisdictional liaison as "normal" (i.e. not placing strong emphasis on evangelization and outreach) but, at the same time responded "yes" to the question "Would you say that your parish is truly 'outreach oriented'?" such parishes were also removed from the sample. The over-sample was done (i.e. more parishes were added by the jurisdictional liaisons to the study) until a situation was achieved when all designations of liaisons of the parishes (as either "exemplary" or "normal") corresponded fully with the parishes' self-perception as being or not being "truly outreach oriented." The final study's data-set included 75 parishes, including:

11 parishes of the Antiochian Archdiocese (five "exemplary" and six "normal" parishes)
10 parishes of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese (four "exemplary" and six "normal" parishes)
12 parishes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (six "exemplary" and six "normal" parishes)
12 parishes of the Orthodox Church in America (six "exemplary" and six "normal" parishes)
10 parishes of the Romanian Archdiocese (five "exemplary" and five "normal" parishes)
10 parishes of the Serbian Orthodox Church (five "exemplary" and five "normal" parishes)
10 parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (five "exemplary" and five "normal" parishes)

The goal of analysis of the responses to the survey was to identify the distinct features and characteristics of the "exemplary" parish communities. It should be emphasized that a significant number of questions in the survey were open-ended questions that allowed the priests to write extensive answers and offer their thoughts and reflections on various subjects.

Principal Investigators

Alexei Krindatch