Deborah Bruce

Associate Research Manager, Research Service, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

RCCongress 2010 Workshop:

How to Evaluate Research about Congregations and Worshipers

Deborah Bruce is Project Manager of the U.S. Congregational Life Survey -- the largest survey of worshipers ever conducted. She has helped thousands of congregations use that survey to learn more about their worshipers and to identify their strengths.

She has published and presented broadly on the results of the U.S. Congregational Life Survey, and will be releasing new findings from the second wave at the RCCongress 2010.

She is the co-author with Cynthia Woolever of three books: A Field Guide to U.S. Congregations: Who's Going Where and Why; Beyond the Ordinary: Ten Strengths of U.S. Congregations; and Places of Promise: Finding Strength in Your Congregation's Location (all published by Westminster John Knox Press.)

Deborah received her Master's Degree in Research Psychology from San Diego State University. She is an officer for the Religious Research Association and a member of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, and has presented papers at the annual meetings of these two organizations, among others.

How to Evaluate Research about Congregations and Worshipers

New research about religion is announced seemingly every day. How can you evaluate these results? Are they valid? Which are worth passing on to your constituents?

Using two of the latest studies of congregational life -- the 2008-2009 U.S. Congregational Life Survey and Faith Communities Today 2008 -- Deborah Bruce and Scott Thumma will provide clear criteria for judging national studies and strategies for comparing diverse research reports.

You'll also learn about the latest findings from these projects, which will help you understand how worshipers and congregations are changing.