Frequently Asked Questions

The Church Inventory is a research-based resource that helps churches evaluate and understand how effectively the leadership and the church as an organization are leading and equipping people to live a faith informed life in their daily work. It uncovers hidden beliefs and barriers and provides church leaders with practical insights into strengths, gaps, and opportunities for growth.

Most church assessments focus on attendance, programs, finances, operational effectiveness, or member satisfaction. The Church Inventory uniquely examines how effectively a church equips believers to integrate biblical faith into their everyday work and life while also evaluating the leadership, culture, and organizational systems that support that mission.

The inventory is designed for churches of every size and denomination. It is most valuable when completed by pastors, and ministry staff, and elders, and key volunteer leaders to provide multiple perspectives.

Most participants complete the assessment in approximately 15 minutes.

The inventory is appropriate for churches of all sizes, denominations, and traditions. Whether your church is just beginning to explore faith and work or has an established discipleship strategy, the inventory provides valuable insights for continued growth.

Many churches faithfully disciple people for worship, Bible study, spiritual habits, volunteer service and Christian non-profit work, but generally do not intentionally prepare people for the other 95% of their lives. Research has confirmed that the extent to what most churches do is to prepare their congregation to evangelize their co-workers at work and that is short of God's design and purpose for work. The Church Inventory takes the conversation deeper and helps leaders understand where their church is thriving and where intentional investments can better equip their congregation for everyday work life.

Yes. Many churches use the assessment as a benchmark, allowing them to measure progress as they implement new initiatives and strengthen their culture over time.

No. In fact, most churches using the inventory do not have formal and organized faith and work ministry efforts. The inventory helps churches discover what beliefs and behaviors are working against their efforts and what simple adjustments to make and practical ways to better equip believers regardless of where they are starting.

While the Faith, Work & Money Church Inventory is not a general leadership, organizational or ministry assessment, it does measure organizational and church health as it relates specifically to faith and daily work, the congregation's calling into the marketplace, and everyday discipleship.

It is called an "inventory" not an "assessment" because there is no right or wrong or determination of good or bad, only a snapshot of current reality. The inventory is based on organizational research and organizational change and biblical principles. It addresses people, process, structure, technology with theology. It measures multiple dimensions of the church organization including:

• Leadership understanding, vision and commitment
• Church culture
• Teaching and preaching
• Discipleship practices
• Purpose and meaning of work
• Cultural and societal engagement
• Congregational engagement and daily faith and work practices
• Support for work and vocation
• Ministry strategy
• Organizational systems

Yes. Individual responses remain confidential. Reports present aggregated results that help church leaders understand overall patterns without identifying individual participants. Summary demographic data is presented in the final report, but nothing can be attributed to individual responses.

After the assessment closes, the data is confidentially evaluated and a summary report generated by Biola University. Church leaders receive a detailed report highlighting the church scores across the four main domains, twelve key indicators and twelve key ideas. It also includes an executive summary, identifies strengths and opportunities for growth, and practical recommendations. The results help leaders identify priorities and develop intentional next steps.

Yes. The inventory is designed to move beyond measurement. Churches receive actionable insights that can guide leadership conversations, ministry planning, discipleship strategies, and organizational development.

Many churches repeat the inventory every 18–24 months to evaluate progress, measure the impact of ministry initiatives, and identify new opportunities for growth.

Yes. The Church Inventory is grounded in biblical theology, organizational research, and studies in leadership, culture, employee engagement, workplace discipleship, and faith-work integration. The assessment has also been refined through statistical testing and validation, and feedback from church leaders and researchers.

Scripture teaches that following Christ extends beyond Sunday worship or work within the church, but into every area of life. Since most Christians spend a significant portion of their lives working—in paid employment, at home, in school, or through volunteer service—the church has an important role in helping people live faithfully in those contexts.

No, this is not to compete with church efforts. It is expected that some efforts and initiatives will be put into place but before that occurs, it is important to understand the existing beliefs and behaviors about work. Significant intellectual and theological shifts can occur with a little effort and a slight change to approach. From there the church can strategically build to empower and equip people for the influence they can have at work.

No. The Church Inventory defines work broadly to include productive daily activities. This includes but not limited to paid employment, self-employment, volunteer service inside and outside the church, caregiving, study, military service, and work performed in the home. Every profession and vocation provides opportunities to glorify God and to serve others.

The average Christian spends far more time working than attending church services, church gatherings or participating in church events. One's job is where working individuals spend the majority of their waking and productive hours so there is a stewardship responsibility of one's life. Also, work itself was the first command and the first blessing in scripture in Genesis 1. While we generally agree that sharing the gospel with one's co-workers is a unique opportunity, unfortunately, that is an incomplete fulfillment of what believers are called to do at work, in the community and societies. Too often we miss the bigger story being played out and the marketplace is the central stage.

By money, we are not referring to personal finance, budgeting, retirement planning, charitable giving, tithing, or fundraising campaigns. Nor are we suggesting that churches should become experts in economics, financial markets, or economic forecasting or economic theory. Rather, we mean the biblical understanding and stewardship of the financial and material resources entrusted to us to be used wisely for God's purposes, the flourishing of others, and the advancement of His Kingdom.

Getting started is simple. Contact us to discuss your church needs and goals and together we will determine the best approach forward, timing, responsibilities. You will receive everything needed to launch the inventory with your church.