Researching the impact of CCT

Tearfund believes that when local churches commit to living out a theology of integral mission, they begin a lifelong journey. Overcoming poverty in the community is approached holistically and from within, as people realise their potential and recognise the resources God has given them. Tearfund refers to the destination of the journey as ‘Church and Community Transformation’ (CCT). 

Tearfund has commissioned several large research studies to evidence the impact of CCT, both quantitatively and qualitatively. The research shows that when the church works with the community in this way it has a transformative impact. It is an effective and sustainable solution to overcoming poverty. 

Local church, lasting transformation is the largest independent study Tearfund has ever undertaken, and was conducted with State of Life, who are external specialists in measuring wellbeing and social value. It includes evidence from over 15,000 people in 486 communities across eight countries. The wellbeing of people actively involved in CCT was compared with the wellbeing of people in the wider community, and people in communities where CCT hadn't started yet. 

The remarkable results showed that CCT brings positive, whole-life transformation that is sustainable, far-reaching and of great value. It was also found that involvement in CCT had a positive impact on the health of local churches.

• CCT brings positive, whole-life transformation 

People who live in CCT communities experience significantly better outcomes in 27 aspects of wellbeing – even more so if they participate in CCT activities themselves.

• CCT creates sustained, far-reaching change 

The evidence shows that the impact of CCT spreads throughout a community, so that even those who do not take part in CCT activities still experience benefits. 

• CCT is great value and creates high social returns

The social value of higher life satisfaction in CCT communities is over 20 times more than all the resources, time and money invested in the CCT process by Tearfund, partners, facilitators and communities.

• CCT strengthens the local church 

Based on our definition of church health and responses to the survey questions asked, it was found that CCT churches were healthier than those that had not yet started CCT.

Tearfund carried out research studies in Uganda, Sierra Leone, Bolivia and Nepal to find out how active churches help communities overcome poverty. An evaluation methodology called the Qualitative Impact Assessment Protocol (QuIP) was used, which measures qualitative impact in a robust, credible and unbiased manner. 

The evidence was clear: when the church works with the community, it is an effective and sustainable solution to overcoming poverty. 70 per cent of interviewees said that CCT and the local church had brought improvements to their lives, despite the research taking place when participants were experiencing significant external shocks and crises, including drought, economic crashes, and the Covid-19 pandemic.