http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/19/methodists-study-the-hall_n_651976.html

Full study: http://www.umc.org/atf/cf/%7Bdb6a45e4-c446-4248-82c8-e131b6424741%7D/CV_PRESENTATION.PDF

After studying 33,000 congregations, the United Methodist Church has discovered four characteristics of congregations that show strong vitality:

1. Small Groups and Children/Youth Programs

2. Worship is engaging. Most vital congregations had more than one style of worship.

3. Strong lay leadership.

4. Pastor stays a long time, inspires people for ministry through preaching, spends time equipping lay people.