Introduction & Disclaimer

Introduction

One of the more notable business gurus of the previous century was W. Edwards Deming.  I won’t go into his history or accomplishments, except to note the fact that he was one of a new cadre of businessmen of the day (1940s) who understood the importance of quantitative analysis in the running of a successful enterprise.  He famously said: “In God we trust; all others bring data.”

Data probably has never been a big thing in Christianity’s development through the ages, but Christianity is now in the digital age; one in which data reigns supreme.  As with so many types of statistics, they can be the bearer of bad news.  While data is not the be-all, end-all of church management, ignoring data is likely a mistake in this age of easy access to information.

In the articles that follow, most between one and two pages long, I address various subjects in the realm of religion and church for which data is available.  Most of it is from Canadian sources, though I did venture into American data when I could not find Canadian sources.  Some are a bit dated, usually because current data on a particular subject couldn’t be found.  I feel, however, that change occurs slowly in the field of social science and that such data remains useful, especially as it relates to trends.  I cite sources for most of the facts and figures I include.  Many of these are websites and, unfortunately, web-pages have a tendency to get discontinued or re-addressed by their authors.

I raise some contentious issues and I draw some very generalized conclusions in some of my analysis, but that doesn't mean there can't be alternative ways of looking at the issues and their related data.  Feel free to use your own mind and experiences in sorting through the numbers.

And now a brief caveat.  As former British statesman Benjamin Disraeli once said: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.”  This highlights just one issue with the trustworthiness of statistics.  It refers to an intention to misrepresent facts through the use of unclear or misleading data.  Other potential problems with statistics are inadequate sampling techniques, errors in gathering and collating data, and honest misinterpretation of what statistics are saying.

I provide this brief synopsis of statistical failings as a warning that numbers are not always what they seem.  Caution is always advised.  That is why I have added to this collection of writings a section that provides insight into some of the perils involved in polls and studies.  You may wish to read these first if you want to be extra cautious in forming conclusions as you read my numbers-based writings on all matters Church.

Disclaimer

While copyright is preserved on these articles by the author, it is freely given to any reader who wishes to have a copy and to share with others free of cost.  These writings are provided for information purposes only.  The information provided is not intended to represent advice of any kind.  

Caution is advised in the use of this information in making decisions about personal affairs or the operation of an organization.  The author has not made efforts to ascertain the accuracy of the data presented.  The reader assumes total risk of any information in these articles being inaccurate, incomplete or out-of-date.  It is advised that additional research be undertaken and/or competent specialist advice be obtained if applying information from these articles may result in risk to a person or organization.