Timeline

2026 ncls 2026 National Church Life Survey National Church Life Survey timeline

Key dates for the 2026 NCLS project

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Sign ups and surveys orders are now open and will be taken up until mid 2026. 

The Surveys will be completed from August to October 2026.

 

 

 

 

 

SURVEY ORDERS NOW OPEN!

Denominational leaders and local churches are now signing up to take part on the 2026 NCLS.

 

Local churches are encouraged to contact their NCLS Regional Coordinator regarding arrangements for their denomination. Or simply sign up by ordering surveys for your church. 

 

 

Summary of key dates

 

DENOMINATIONAL CONSULTATION

by end of 2025
  • Denominations and Regions provide an initial ‘Expression of interest’
  • Note interest in extra questions
  • Likely approach to partnership

DENOMINATIONAL CONFIRMATION

by March 2026
  • Denominations and Regions confirm involvement
  • Confirm interest in own commissioned questions

DENOMINATIONS SIGN UP

January to July 2025
  • Update church lists (new churches, closures, changed contact details)
  • Co-design own survey questions
  • Promote to churches
  • Denominations place survey orders

ORDER

April-July 2026
  • Local churches who are signing up individually (not part of a denominational group order) place survey orders

COMPLETE

August to October 2026
  • August: One representative per church completes Local Church Activities Survey
  • September to October: Churches complete Attender Surveys and Leader Surveys

RETURN

August to November 2026
  • Churches post any completed paper survey items to NCLS Research.

RECEIVE

November 2026 to March 2027
  • Local churches receive own results
  • Denominations and regions receive results