ALEX is the database of congregations currently and historically affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. ALEX contains more than forty years of participation and stewardship data for these congregations, dating back to the calendar year 1980.
ALEX is also the web-based application used to access and maintain information in the database. A user account is required to log into the application and access the ALEX database.
Congregation Directory
In the printed Yearbook and Directory of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Statistical Report of Congregations served as the official list of affiliated congregations. The Congregation Directory in ALEX now serves that purpose. It provides the authoritative list of more than 2,800 congregations currently in covenant relationship with the Disciples.
Like its predecessor, the Yearbook and Directory, the information in ALEX paints a picture of the congregations that make up the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It is like the Disciples family portrait. When a congregation reports Yearbook statistics to ALEX, we can be sure that they are included in the picture!
Historical Data
The ALEX database contains historical Yearbook data since 1980 for congregations. ALEX subscribers are able to view historical data from the application. The available statistics include congregational participation, congregational stewardship, and Disciples Mission Fund giving.
ALEX subscriptions provide additional reporting. Subscribers can request ad hoc reports from the ALEX staff, such as an 11-year review of a congregation’s participation, finance and giving data. ALEX staff will be happy to work with you and provide
Subscribers also have access to Statistical Reports of Congregations, the data that was published for congregations in the Yearbook and Directory.
Data Warehouse
Within the ALEX application, congregations and regions can maintain data about congregations, such as location and contact data. Congregations also enter their annual Yearbook statistics through the application. Congregation and Yearbook data are native to ALEX.
However, ALEX also presents information from other databases. ALEX uses minister information from the minister database at Disciples Home Missions (DHM). It also receives data for giving to Disciples Mission Fund and other offerings from the database at Treasury Services.
Minister and giving data are not native to ALEX. That is, a congregation or region cannot update this information from within the ALEX application. This data has to updated in its native location at DHM or Treasury Services.
With ALEX, congregations, regions, and general ministries have access to data that can inform the ways we serve from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.