Findings about High Moral and Community Standards High Moral and Community Standards Standards of personal morality and public justice offer a third source of cohesion that can be foundational for faith communities.
Moral boundaries make a difference.
Two out of three congregations that emphasize personal and public morality also report healthy finances and membership growth. Congregations that place less emphasis on these standards are more likely to report plateaued or declining membership. A large majority of the most vital congregations report that they have a clarity of purpose and explicit member expectations that are strictly enforced. This is especially true among newly organized congregations in Western states. Both purpose and strictness are directly related to membership growth and financial health.