Applied Research
As a research hub, EGC investigates on-the-ground, changing realities with a community-based approach that is practical and actionable. All our projects foster stronger connections among Christians dedicated to Boston’s well-being. We bring people together to explore local realities and community systems. With these local data-driven insights, we help you understand the needs, resources, and opportunities in Boston’s communities and churches, enabling you to take effective action together on the city's most pressing issues.
For decades, EGC has studied the demographics and trends in churches and communities in Greater Boston. We work hard to provide accurate and timely local data.
Our resource page offers articles and toolkits for exploring the impact of Christianity in Boston, with practical insights on churches, neighborhoods, city issues, and culture.
Current Projects
Ask A Researcher
Need help understanding population trends in your neighborhood? Curious about how many Haitian churches are in Greater Boston? Want to research the history of your church? Our diverse research team, with a deep understanding of communities, cultures, churches, and Christianity in Boston, is here to help answer your most pressing questions. Last year our research team helped answer:
Can you help me get demographic information for the area around our church?
Do you know of any organizations or agencies that work with people affected by homelessness?
On our 100th anniversary, can you help our church research its history and the history of the area?
Have a question for our research team? Email senior researcher, Rudy Mitchell.
Boston Church Directory
For over 45 years, EGC has tracked Christian churches located within the city limits of Boston, Brookline, and Cambridge. The initiative started with researchers driving up and down every Boston street highlighting church buildings on a map. The BCD has now grown into a robust, publicly available directory of 675+ churches. Site visitors use the Directory for developing relationships between members of Boston's Christian community; referrals; finding a church home; research in church planting; and other scholarly, relational, or spiritual purposes.
Space & Church Building Use
EGC Researcher in Residence Saranya Sathananthan is exploring how churches use their space. She is particularly passionate about learning from the many churches in Boston that are leveraging their buildings for missional impact, sustainability, and community vitality. Rising rental prices and gentrification have had a devastating effect on our community and have changed the landscape of building use. Saranya’s research will highlight stories of innovation and impact that are already happening in Boston and help inspire new collaborations and solutions.
Church Planters Study: 10 Years Later
In 2014, EGC conducted an in-depth study of church planting in Boston. We identified 100 church plants and interviewed 40 lead pastors to understand their demographics, beliefs, and practices. Over the next year, we will reconnect with as many churches as possible and explore trends in their development to understand congregational thriving.
Past Project Highlights
![Barriers to Mental Health Care for Boston-Area Black Residents [Report]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57ff1c7ae58c62d6f84ba841/1518458267039-7WI3NJUWYJQKOQCYDWTK/pexels-photo-561654.jpeg)
When you think good Christian woman, to what extent do you think effective leader? In this post we explore six conflicts-of-ideals reported by participants at the Woven Consultation on Christian women in leadership in March 2016.