NCLS Research is a world leader in research focused on connecting churches and their communities. Decades of rigorous and thoughtful research has examined wellbeing, spirituality and church health. Our vision is for thriving churches with deepening understanding of their role and mission within a changing society.
Local church results from the 2021 NCLS have been released online.
Full Church Life Profiles are out now!
More information View your Church Life Profile
Latest News and Features
Church Life Pack
Resources to help churches get the most out of their Church Life Survey results
After completion of the 2021 NCLS, participating churches receive a Church Life Pack of resources, including their survey results and practical tools to help churches to strengthen their vitality and inform their directions for the future.
After the Survey
Evaluate, communicate and act on your results
After completing a Church Life Survey, we encourage churches to make the most of their survey results. We recommend you take 3 steps: Evaluate, Communicate and Act.
Church Life Profile
Churches that complete a Church Life Survey will receive a Church Life Profile of their survey results.
The Church Life Profile is a 28 to 36 page colour report that shows the survey responses of their church attenders, in 9 core qualities of church life.
View and share your Profile
There are several ways to view and share your Church Life Profile with others.
Participating churches will receive their Church Life Profile online and in print. They will be advised of the process to sign in to MyNCLS to access their Profile/s and share them with others.
Make the most of your 2021 NCLS survey results
- Explore your Church Life Pack of resources
- Walk through your Profile of results
- Look over your Workbook and practical processes
Free mini workshops
Watch Now
Latest Research Findings
Growth in faith impacted by COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic saw church groups in many areas unable to meet together. Instead, churchgoers stayed home, many watched the live-streamed service, some received devotional material in their letterbox, and others simply did not connect with church in that time. If a key focus of the church is to foster an active and growing faith in attenders did growth in faith suffer from ‘separation anxiety’ when God’s people couldn't be together? And was there a hidden silver lining to the COVID-19 restrictions on church?
Church attenders more highly educated than wider community
The gap between churchgoers’ educational background and those in the wider community remains. The 2021 National Church Life Survey shows that church attenders are more likely to have a university degree than the national population. As well, increasingly high levels of education are found amongst younger churchgoers.
Ethnic diversity in Australian churches
Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, second only to Luxembourg according to the OECD. It is also a relatively cohesive society, compared with other western nations. Churches often form a social support network for people newly arrived in Australia offering friendship, hospitality, material aid and assistance. What is the ethnic diversity within churches? Results from the 2021 National Church Life Survey are explored.
Faith shapes decisions, actions and identity
The clear majority of Australian churchgoers say that their Christian faith impacts and informs the decisions and actions of their daily lives. As well, they strongly affirm that their faith in God is an important part of their personal identity.
Additional Resources