EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa requested a study to assist in the development of a strategic plan for the diocese. Information was gathered on: (1) population growth to 2021, (2) demographic shifts, and (3) the performance of each church in the mission field. The results of the analysis led to the development of a strategy for each region with key considerations for the implementation of the recommendations. In addition to the summary report, there is a full set of reference materials collected for each parish.

THE MISSION FIELD

The population of the diocese grew from 1.287 million people in 1991 (273,349) in Quebec and 1.014 in Ontario) to 1.437 million in 2001 (304,723 in Quebec and 1.132 in Ontario). In 2006, the population grew further to 1.509 million people (330,072 in Quebec and 1.179 million in Ontario). The diocese overall is growing by about 20,000 people annually. In 2021, the population of the diocese is estimated to reach 1.803 million (371,065 in Quebec and 1.432 in Ontario). The majority of the growth is taking place in: (a) the Ottawa and Gatineau regions. Here young families with children are locating to the urban centres. Also, the former suburbs of the 60’s that form a ring around the inner core of the city are seeing the exit of older and entrance of younger populations. In addition, young adults are locating in the core so as to be close to jobs and the university. (b) The communities that line the #416 and #417 highway systems that act as bedroom communities for Ottawa are also attracting young families. Finally, (c) desirable recreation areas along lakes and rivers are drawing retirees. In the Pembroke area, there is some growth because of the expansion of CFB Petawawa and AECL. Despite the average increase in age, and the population not showing an increase, growth is in fact occurring as the population adjusts itself while in transition.

In Ontario, 25% of the population has a university education, while in Quebec 17% has a university education. There is a correlation between having a higher education and earning a higher income. The income levels are greater closer to the major centres. In Ottawa, the highest income areas are in the west and southwest areas of Ottawa and in the new growth areas of Aylmer, running north through Chelsea. Outside of Ottawa and Gatineau , there is a pocket of high-income earners around Perth and in Deep River as a result of the Atomic Energy Plant.

The areas of the diocese with strongest British ethnicity are in the western areas of Ontario and Quebec This includes the areas west of the #416 over to and including Lanark County, the Pembroke area and the Pontiac region in Quebec. There has also been an increase in the Anglophone population in Aylmer and in the Chelsea area. French ethnicity is strongest in the eastern areas of the diocese and in the Gatineau and Outaouais regions of Quebec. The population otherwise is ethnically homogeneous compared to other major cities in Canada .

Anglican Church affiliation in the Ontario part of the Diocese declined from 12% in 1981 to 9%, in 2001 - a loss of 6,000 Anglicans. In Quebec, Anglican affiliation decreased from 3% to 2% in the same period, a numerical decline of 1,000 Anglicans. In Quebec , however, between 1991 and 2001 the proportion of Anglicans stayed the same, which in a growing population resulted in numerical growth of 200 Anglicans. Religious affiliation follows the path of ethnic background and age.

CHURCH PERFORMANCE

Each church was visited to determine the visibility of the locations. Churches in the urban areas gain visibility when they are located on major arterials and when they are near other community services. There are several locations in Ottawa that are located in internal residential areas and all of these churches are vulnerable. All are experiencing decline and have aging congregations. In the rural areas, churches gain visibility from being part of a rural centre with other services such as retail, commercial and institutional uses. They also gain visibility from being on major commuter routes. There are many locations in the rural areas that are in isolated areas where the membership is declining and aging.

The age analysis showed that the membership in both Ottawa and Quebec are aging at a faster rate than the population. In both provinces there were three times as many members in the age sixty and over category than in the mission field. Conversely, the younger age groups were under represented.

Parish statistics were analysed and average Sunday attendance has declined in the diocese from 9,321 in 1991 to 8,396 in 2005. The number of identifiable givers in the same time period declined from 12,476 to 10,323 and envelope giving in current dollars (with inflation removed) increased slightly from $7.4M in 1991 to $7.6M in 2005. The average Sunday attendance is 34% of membership. In other words, about 34% of our membership attends worship on Sundays. This falls in line with the experience of other dioceses. There were 131 locations that reported average Sunday attendance in 2005; 78 or 60% fell into the family size church category with Sunday attendance under 50 persons. In over half of these churches (53%) the attendance was under 25.

All of the members on each parish list were mapped. The number of members in each census tract (CT) around the church was accumulated and divided into the total number of census Anglicans reported in the 2001 census. In the Diocese of Ottawa as a whole, in 2001, 101,000 reported Anglican Church affiliation (5,000 in Quebec and 96,000 in Ontario). A total of 25,525 members were reported on parish rolls and 25,250 of them or 99% live within the Ottawa Diocesan boundaries (1,167 in Quebec and 24,063 on Ontario). This represents an overall 25% share of census Anglicans (23.3% in Quebec and 25.1% in Ontario ) or a 1.7% share of total population (.35% in Quebec and 2.0% in Ontario ).

RECOMMENDATIONS

The following considerations, as a result of this study, are recommended as a basis of determining strategy for the diocese. They are as follows:

NEW CHURCH PLANT

There are several areas in Ottawa that are experiencing considerable amounts of population growth that fall outside the catchment areas of our existing churches. It is recommended, therefore, that new churches be planted in these communities. In areas where there is future potential population growth, land banking is suggested.

THE URBAN CHURCH IN OTTAWA

One of the most commonly heard comments is that Anglicans are over churched in Ottawa. However, without exception, all of the churches are aware of their vulnerability and many are adapting to their neighbourhoods, creating relevant ministry for their members, and are still viable financially. Some churches, on the other hand, have been unable to respond to changing circumstances or are in locations such that the possibility of growth is limited. It is recommended that such churches be allowed to live out their natural lifecycle but all support systems be removed (e.g., they should not be allowed to accumulate debt or appoint part-time clergy who for the most part, work full time, or be given support grants).

MULTI-POINT MINISTRY

It needs to be recognized that multi-point ministry is a maintenance model when there are three or more points in the parish. Therefore, in order to see growth in the rural areas of the diocese, it is recommended that all large multi-point parishes be dismantled and reconfigured to no more than two points.

STAFFING FOR GROWTH

It is recommended that staff be added in several of the understaffed program size churches.

MINISTRY INITIATIVES

It is recommended that congregations throughout the diocese have to do more than Sunday service in order to be viable.

FINAL GENERATION CHURCHES

These churches need identifying, as they are inferior in locations, have an aging membership, are declining in numbers or they lack motivation to grow. It is recommended these churches be put under the care of retired clergy, who will do Sunday services, oversee administration and do pastoral care.

FRANCOPHONE MINISTRY

Discussions with Montreal and Quebec Diocese have led to recommendations that francophone ministry be seeded in Gatineau and Buckingham in Quebec.

CHAPELS

These are locations only open once a year. They are a drain on clergy who still oversee administration and maintenance. It is recommended they all be closed.

TOURIST AREAS

It is recommended that some locations be maintained in recreational communities as seasonal operations in areas where the population can more than double in the summer months.

IMPLEMENTATION

SETTING PRIORITIES

Barrhaven and the restructuring of Quebec are the top priorities of this plan.

COMMUNICATIONS

A newly revamped website and better use of Cross Talk as a communication tool.

CLERGY RESOURCES

Matching clergy skills to the needs of the parish through a collaboration of Archdeacons and Regional Deans.

“FAIR SHARE”

A look at the apportionment calculation, allowing churches to deduct capital costs and employment costs.

SUPPORT AND EQUALIZATION GRANTS

Removal of the support and equalization grant system and initiate a ministry development grant system in its place.

FUNDRAISING

Diocesan wide fundraising campaign to help finance the new growth initiative in which part of the money would be used for ministry development and using the biblical tithe, 10% would go to social action projects in the diocese.

TRI-DIOCESAN COUNCIL ON FRANCOPHONE MINISTRY

Tri-Diocesan Council on Francophone ministry – discussions with Montreal and Quebec diocese to move the Francophone initiative forward.

Requests for copies or more information should be directed to Canon Jim Stevenson,71 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6G6, or e-mail him at jim-stevenson@ottawa.anglican.ca