Appendix 2: About Barna Group
About Barna Group
Barna Group, which includes its research division, Barna Research Group, is a private, nonpartisan, for-profit organization under the umbrella of the Issachar Companies. Located in Ventura, California, Barna Group has been conducting and analyzing primary research to understand cultural trends related to values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors since 1984, when it was founded in Los Angeles by George Barna.
As a marketing research firm, it initially served a blend of Christian ministries, nonprofit organizations, and various media and financial corporations. The client roster has grown to include the military, government agencies, and many other businesses. However, it has remained a leader in the execution of faith-focused research, pioneering methodologies and language in that field, as well as providing many groundbreaking studies in a wide range of areas related to faith and ministry. During its three decades of work, Barna Group has carefully and strategically tracked the role of faith in America, developing one of the nation’s most comprehensive databases on spiritual indicators. In 2009 David Kinnaman acquired majority ownership of Barna Group under the auspices of Issachar Companies, Inc., and serves as its president.
The company operates as a visionary research and resource company from its location in central California. The company’s vision is to provide people with credible knowledge and clear thinking, enabling them to navigate a complex and changing culture. To fulfill that vision, Barna Group offers a range of customized research, resources, and training to serve churches, nonprofits, businesses, and leaders.
Barna Group provides primary research, diagnostic tools, print and digital resources, leadership development, training and keynote talks, and organizational enhancement. The company has worked with thousands of nonprofit organizations and churches across the country, including many Protestant and Catholic congregations, denominations, and faith leaders. Some of its notable clients have included the Salvation Army, World Vision, Compassion International, the American Bible Society, and Habitat for Humanity. It has also served mainstream business and nonprofit leaders at organizations such as Paramount, SONY, Walden Media, Easter Seals, CARE, the ONE Campaign, the Humane Society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and NBC Universal. Media, churches, and educational institutions rely on Barna Group’s work for insight into matters of faith and contemporary society. Barna Group’s public opinion research is frequently quoted in major media outlets such as USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, the Dallas Morning News, and the Los Angeles Times.
For more information about Barna Group, please visit www.barna.org.