3. The actual service area of each church as indicated by the residences of its members and adherents was mapped and studied. This was an entirely new departure in rural surveys.
Four chief processes were involved in the actual field work of these surveys:
1. The determination of the community units and of any subsidiary neighborhood units included within them. The community boundaries were ascertained by noting the location of the last family on each road leading out from a given center who regularly traded at that center. These points, indicated on a map, were connected with each other by straight lines. The area about the given center thus enclosed was regarded as the community.
2. The study of the economic, social and institutional life of each community as thus defined.
3. The location of each church in the county, the determination of its parish area, and the detailed study of its equipment, finance, membership, organization, program and leadership.
4. The preparation of a map showing, in addition to the usual physical features, the boundaries of each community, the location, parish area and circuit connections of each church, and the residence of each minister.
The following are the more important definitions used in the making of these surveys and the preparation of the reports:
Geographical
City—A center of over 5,000 population. Not included within the scope of these surveys except as specifically noted.
Town—A center with a population of from 2,501 to 5,000.