Executive Summary
Partners for Sacred Places ( Partners ) has known for over a decade that the value of sacred places goes beyond just their physical structure or membership . Thanks to two rounds of previous research by Partners for Sacred Places on the Economic Halo Effect of churches and synagogues , we ’ ve been given proof of the outsized civic value of sacred places – i . e ., the value they bring to the larger community .
All these findings add up to a larger , remarkable – but little known – reality : UMC congregations , quietly and faithfully , constitute an important part of the fabric of rural communities .
Until now , however , that research was focused on urban sacred places . Research samples came from Chicago , San Francisco , New York , Philadelphia and other large cities . Partners has suspected that small town and rural churches had an equally important story to tell of civic value and community contribution , and now Partners for Sacred Places can affirm that story .
Partners for Sacred Places , in partnership with the Duke Endowment and UNC Charlotte Urban ( Institute ), conducted a study to better understand the local economic impact of rural churches , specifically examining the impact of United Methodist Church ( UMC ) congregations in North Carolina ’ s small towns and rural areas . The study examined who benefits from the presence of these congregations and what contributions these churches make to the lifeblood of their communities as conveners , trusted partners , and service providers .
Partners and UNC Charlotte conducted extensive interviews with leaders of 87 rural churches and then monetized and assigned a numerical value to six areas . These areas include :
• Direct spending
• Education & childcare
• Magnet effect
• Individual impact
• Community serving programs
• Outdoor recreation space
The study found that Methodist churches are not just for Methodists alone . This is an important finding , because civic leaders – mayors , foundations , business leaders , arts organizations , community groups – need to see our churches as places that serve everyone .
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