NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - "The Top 10 Issues Facing Today's Church" is the focus of a two-month online research project launched Nov. 8 by the e-business department of LifeWay Christian Resources.

Thousands of evangelical pastors, staff members, organizational directors and seminary leaders of various denominations across the United States and around the world are being queried by email to cite the most important issues affecting their ministries. Ministry leaders can submit their responses via an online survey form at http://www.LifeWay.com/Top10survey.

From the initial list of responses, the 20 most frequently cited issues will be sent back to the ministry leaders who offered input. During December, the leaders will use the same Internet survey tool to rank their top 10 from among the 20 issues.

After the list has been compiled, the LifeWay website at www.lifeway.com will begin a weekly series unveiling the "Top 10 Issues Facing Today's Church," beginning with No. 10 in early February. A new topic will be explored each Monday until the No. 1 issue is presented in April. Links to all the preceding rankings will be available in every article.