The following collection of endorsements have been received from denominational leaders around Australia.
Most Rev Peter A Comensoli
Archbishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne
I warmly encourage local churches across Australia to take part in the 2026 National Church Life Survey from August to October this year. As the eighth wave of this significant study since 1991, the NCLS offers a unique and long-standing data set that provides invaluable insights into the faith experiences, attitudes, and trends shaping church life within Australia’s evolving social context. It has been a decade since we last captured a national snapshot of normal church life, making this year’s survey particularly important.
Pastor Joel Chelliah
National President, ACC (Australian Christian Churches)
The National Church Life Survey is an invaluable gift to churches across Australia. It provides a clear and credible picture of the health, strengths, and opportunities within our congregations, that equips pastors and leaders to plan wisely for the future. I encourage every local church to participate in the 2026 survey and to steward the insights it offers for the ongoing growth and mission of the Church in Australia.
Most Rev. Mark Short
Primate, Anglican Church In Australia
The Australian Church currently has unprecedented opportunities to share the lasting hope Jesus offers to an increasingly uncertain world. The NCLS will help you better understand the life of your congregation, denomination or movement so that you are equipped to connect with your neighbourhoods and networks in truth and love. We are truly blessed to have access to such a rigorous analytical and missional tool …… I commend it to you!
Rev. Charissa Suli
President, Uniting Church in Australia
Across the Uniting Church, every congregation carries stories of faith, resilience, service, and hope. The National Church Life Survey helps weave these stories together, offering the Church an opportunity to listen deeply, learn honestly, and discern faithfully where God is leading us next. I encourage your local church to tell its story and be part of the 2026 National Church Life Survey as together we continue weaving Christ’s love across cultures, generations, and communities.
Rev. Mark Wilson
National Ministries Director, Australian Baptist Ministries
I believe it’s vital we offer the 2026 National Church Life Survey because it gives us a clear and honest picture of church life across Australia. It helps us listen to the voices of our congregations, understand where we are growing, and discern where we are being called to change. The insights it offers are essential for shaping a healthy and mission-focused future for the church.
Commissioner Miriam Gluyas
Territorial Commander, Salvation Army Australia
The Salvation Army values the NCLS as a vital partnership that helps us hear the voices of our faith community members and gain meaningful insights into the life and mission impact of our local churches. It plays a significant role in informing and strengthening our Church Health review process. We recommend it to other organisations that are seeking to listen well, grow in understanding, and make informed, mission-focused decisions.
Rev Dr Steve Bartlett, Director of Ministries, NSW & ACT Baptist Churches
The NCLS provides a trusted framework for listening well to the people within our congregations. The reports deliver rich, meaningful insights for both local churches and our movement as a whole, in a format that is both clear and highly accessible.
Rev Dan Beasy, Associate Director of Ministries (Church Health), Baptist Churches SA & NT
BCSANT is really pleased to be part of the 2026 National Church Life Survey and we encourage every church to get involved. It’s a great way to listen to your church community and get a clear, honest picture of where things are going well and where God might be leading next. Get behind it - we’d love to see as many churches as possible get involved and make the most of this opportunity.
Jason Elsmore, Director, Queensland Baptist Movement
The National Church Life Survey is an invaluable tool for any leader committed to a healthy and mission focused church. The insights help church leaders see themselves and their churches more clearly and through thoughtful reflection to discern where God is working in and leading His church.
Gary Hourigan, National Director of Church Health and Growth, International Network of Churches, Australia
This information assists us in strategic initiatives. Each local church will be informed of their health, and our network leaders and coaches will be better positioned to work with each church to create and implement strategies directly aimed at increasing health and growth potential.
Major Dianne Jarvey, Faith Communities Development Secretary, Salvation Army Australian Territory
The Salvation Army has conducted Church Life Surveys in partnership with NCLS Research to gain valuable insights into the health and vitality of their church communities. These surveys will help shape future strategies for mission, ministry, and growth, ensuring that they continue to meet the spiritual and practical needs of their communities.
Tim O'Neill, National Leader, Acts 2 Alliance
The National Leadership team of A2A invites churches to take part in the 2026 National Church Life Survey. The information gathered and the data disseminated is vital to helping us understand the harvest and we the NLT believe that participation in the NCLS is essential for our network to continue the good work of Christ.
Pastor Victor Owuor, Director of Ministries, Baptist Churches Western Australia
I encourage your church to sign up and take part in the 2026 NCLS. Having used the NCLS Church Life Profiles I have found them invaluable in equipping leadership to discern future directions for ministry and mission. This tool will be a real blessing as you continue to serve your community.
Most Rev Kanishka Raffel, Archbishop, Anglican Diocese of Sydney
The NCLS is a helpful tool for planning and supporting ministry. It can help us to recognise God’s work in our churches and in his people, as well as identify opportunities. In this way, it can spur us on in his service. I encourage you to make the most of the NCLS this year.
Rev. David Schmidt, Assistant Bishop for Mission, Lutheran Church of Australia, Queensland District
In a time when the church faces both challenge and opportunity, we need more than instinct or anecdote. We need clarity. The NCLS offers an honest picture of who we are becoming, our strengths, areas for growth, and practical next steps for deepening discipleship and strengthening mission.
Philip Schouten, Synodical Administrator, Christian Reformed Churches of Australia
As we continue seeking to understand our congregations, strengthen our ministries, and faithfully serve our communities, the National Church Life Survey (NCLS) provides us with a valuable opportunity. The insights gained through the NCLS help churches reflect on their health, mission, and engagement—offering a practical tool for discernment and growth.
Bishop Richard Schwedes, District Bishop, Lutheran Church of Australia, NSW/ACT District
I encourage every congregation, no matter your size to participate in the National Church Life Survey. Congregations have been able to confirm what they believe the state of their congregation and gain an insight to some areas that may need some attention or focus.
Very Rev Richard Thompson, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Our Archdiocese has participated in this survey several times in years past. The NCLS does provide valuable feedback which can successfully be used to plan future mission and evangelising strategies. It is also helpful in giving new parish priests a fuller picture of their parish. I commend it to you for your community's consideration.
From Our Board Members
Rev Dr Cameron Eccleston
Mission Specialist, Uniting Church in Australia
The National Church Life Survey provides a unique opportunity for both ministers and denominational leaders to not only get a snapshot of how well their congregation/s are flourishing, but also to examine trends over decades of data collection. Each National Church Life Survey is a must have tool for anyone serious about church life and vitality.
Fr Brian Lucas
National Director, Australia Catholic Mission
The National Church Life Survey is a unique data set compiled now for many years which gives important insights into the faith experience and attitudes of church attenders in Australia. It provides information on trends within the social context as this has evolved in Australia now for some decades. It is an important tool for church communities to use in their planning. For church leaders it provides an insight into the particular features relevant to their congregation.
Susan King
Head of Advocacy and Research, Anglicare
The NCLS has provided comprehensive and discerning insights in the life of churches in Australia for more than 30 years. It highlights not just trends in growth, activity, and leadership but the key elements driving a thriving church community. As a researcher and long term member of the NCLS Research Board I have observed the rigour and excellence of this research which enables churches to identify levers for growth, change and outreach into their communities. It is an invaluable tool for mission planning.
Peter Mayrick
Executive Director, Partners in Ministry
After working with Churches and Church leaders for 13 years now, I can see the enormous value of the Church Life Survey to individuals and the National church. Leaders who care about discipleship need a regular measure of the spiritual lives and behaviours of the people in the church. I believe the Church Life Survey is a gift to the church leader and provides leaders with a cost effective, simple yet deep measure of church health. I believe leaders should use it as regularly as they can.