Barna research on small groups

I was helping Dwight do some research the other day and I came across this stuff on Barna's site. Thought you all might be interested in it:

In Barna Research Group studies, small groups are defined as groups that meet during the week for the purpose of prayer, Bible study or spiritual fellowship, excluding Sunday school or other church classes.

Participation

• Participation in a small group in a typical week, 1994-12%, 1996-17%, 1997-18%, 2000-17%, 2001-16%, 2002-18%, 2004-20% 2005-23%, 2006-23%
• 20% of men participated in a small group that met during the week for the purpose of prayer, Bible study or spiritual fellowship (excluding Sunday school or other church classes) compared to 9% in 1994. (2006)
• Women's participation in small groups has risen to 26% in 2006, compared to 19% in 1996.
• Participation in small groups in the West has doubled from 11% in 1994 to 22% in 2006.
• Black adults are more likely (43%) to attend groups during the week as are Hispanics (20%), whites (20%) and Asians (21%). (2006)
• Born again Christians (35%) are more likely than those of a non-Christian faith (20%) to have attended a small group in the past seven days. (2006)
• Protestants are over two-and-a-half times more likely than are Catholics to participate in a small group in a given week (32% to 12%, respectively). (2006)

The following population segments are more likely than average to participate in small groups:

• evangelical Christians (55%) (2006)
• blacks (43%) (2006)
• born again Christians (35%) (2006)
• non-mainline attenders (37%) (2006)
• residents of the South (28%) (2006)
• females (26%) (2006)

Here's the link to Barna if you want to read more.