This report summarizes the findings from the Alban Institute 1998 Membership Survey, which was designed and analyzed by FLYNN RESEARCH with assistance from the Alban Institute staff. Findings from the survey provide baseline information on the demographic characteristics and needs of individual, retired/seminarian, institutional and congregational members of the Alban Institute in 1998. Two central questions are answered: Who are the current members of the Alban Institute? Why are these individuals and groups choosing to become members of the Alban Institute?

  The report is organized into six sections as follows. Section II describes the objectives, design and fielding of the survey as it relates to the needs of the Alban Institute membership program. Section III presents results from the first part of the survey with responses from both individual and congregational members. Issues addressed include denomination, roles members assume in congregations, awareness of Alban Institute resources, services used and valued, reasons for becoming a member, and the use of technology as a means of accessing Institute releases. Section IV focuses on the current and future needs of members. Section V provides demographic information on individual, retired and seminarian members including gender, age, ethnicity, marital status, education, and geographic location. Section VI provides characteristic information on religious institutions and congregations that are members of the Alban Institute including length of membership, weekly attendance at worship services, annual budgets, and key issues facing congregations today. A copy of the survey instrument is included in the appendix.

  The unit of analysis of the 1998 Membership Survey is the individual or congregation that is currently a member of the Alban Institute. To preserve the confidential nature of the data, the survey findings are not posted on THE FLYNN RESEARCH website. For those interested in further information, please contact the Alban Institute directly at (800) 486-1318.