September 17 update - Online surveys ready to use

Online surveys activation, paper survey delivery and new resources.

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Thank you for joining us in the 2026 National Church Life Survey! 
This week, we give you the latest updates regarding online survey activation, paper survey delivery, new resources available and diverse research topics.  

 

 

17 September, 2026

Dear participating church,

If your church is taking part in the 2026 National Church Life Survey, thank you for contributing to the largest, longest running survey of local church life in the world! This year, over 200,000 surveys have now been ordered across 22 denominations.

This week’s update includes:

  • Online surveys ready: The online Attender Surveys and Child Surveys are ready to use.
  • Paper surveys delayed: Please aim to reschedule running the paper survey for October or November.
  • Ethics update: Reminder re ethics update for participating children aged 8 to 15.
  • New resources: New resources for local churches are ready: PowerPoint slides, social media, videos and photos.
  • Diverse research topics: Not all surveys are the same.

 

 

 

 

ONLINE ATTENDER SURVEYS NOW READY TO USE  

Your church's Survey Coordinator has received email notifications that your online surveys are active. This notification includes your Church Code for attenders to enter when they begin the survey.  

 

  • Child Surveys (for 8 to 15 years) – if ordered - are also open online at childsurvey.ncls.au

 

 

PAPER SURVEYS DELAYED

Around 2000 Survey Kits with paper surveys are currently being packed and posted around the nation. However, because we cannot guarantee when your church will receive their paper surveys, we ask you choose a later survey date (such as October, or if necessary, November). Thank you for your patience and understanding.

NEW SUPPORTIVE RESOURCES

 

Tell your churchgoers about your survey plans. New promotional and supportive resources are now ready for local churches. This includes PowerPoint slides, social media tiles, and photos. See Local church promo resources.

You may also find this short video useful for Survey Day.

NOT ALL SURVEYS ARE THE SAME

  • Over 200,000 surveys ordered from around 2000 churches in 22+ denominations and movements.
  • 80 different variations of surveys
  • 8 denominations have extra special questions on their chosen issues.
  • 8 languages: English, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Tongan, Hakka Chin, Karen, and Vietnamese.

 

A range of topics: while most questions are about church life and health, a small sample of attenders will also be asked for their views on various issues. Interested in a taster?

See video library

ETHICS REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILDREN

This is a reminder about new ethics requirements. All 8 to 15-year-olds need to be given the Child Survey and signed consent sheets are now required for all participating children.

See About the Child Survey and ethics update for more information.

TO DO

 

 

  • When your Survey Kit arrives, distribute copies of Instructions, with your Church Code, to leaders of every worship service or activity where you plan to run the survey. 

 

 

TIPS AND RESOURCES   

 

 

 

Want more details on each of the surveys you will receive? Click below to get ready! Or, for an overview of surveys, go to survey options.

 

 

From July on, all participating are receiving regular email updates with tips, encouragements and resources for the surveys.

Need to see all the updates? You can find them all in one place online. Click here

We are glad your church is joining in the 2026 NCLS! Our hope and prayer is that this reflective experience provides an effective way to strengthen your own church's health, as well as to shape future ministry in Australia. Watch out for our next update!

Yours faithfully,
Prof Ruth Powell

Executive Director, NCLS Research on behalf of the Board and team.