Free Statistics Course

Explore the world of data through a fresh, faith-informed perspective. This free statistics course equips you to think critically, interpret data with purpose, and recognize meaningful trends that impact daily life and ministry. With user-friendly tools and an emphasis on real-world application, you'll gain valuable insight into how statistics reveal the order and design in God's world. Whether you're preparing for leadership, academic studies, or simply want to grow in data literacy, this course will sharpen your analytical skills without overwhelming you with complex math.

Course Overview:

Introduction to Statistics is not just about math. The course's central theme is to help you learn to understand the world from patterns in data. "Beyond the formula" skills are emphasized. This course will require you to: think critically, be skeptical, think about spread and variation in data (rather than just about the center of data), move beyond a "memorize the answer" approach, and think about how to make inferences from data. Some mathematical skill is required to work with elementary statistics, but mathematical manipulations will be replaced by relying on technology for the calculations and graphics; this will allow more emphasis to be placed on the "beyond the formula" skills mentioned above. This course requires more intellectual effort than the low mathematical level suggests! It is related to every other course you may study. The course is elementary in mathematical level but conceptually rich in statistical ideas and in its aim to improve your data-analytic skills and your ability to apply statistical methods with understanding.

Meet Your Professor:

Aric Labarr - Introduction to Statistics

Aric LaBarr is passionate about faith, family, and education. Though he didn’t grow up in a religious home, his journey led him to a life-changing relationship with Jesus during college—an experience that continues to shape his life and purpose. He and his wife are active in ministry, especially with college students, and have had the opportunity to serve both locally and internationally. He also enjoys mentoring youth through basketball and spending quality time with his family. As an educator, he creates a welcoming and engaging environment where students are encouraged to explore, question, and grow. For him, teaching is more than a career—it’s a calling to help others discover their potential.

You will Learn and Grow in the Following Topics:

What Other Students Are Saying....

“In this class, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how to interpret data and use statistical analysis, which will be helpful in understanding church demographics, budgeting, and other aspects of ministry that require data-driven decisions. For example, I can now analyze congregation trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and assess areas where ministry outreach can be improved. I really appreciated the practical application of statistics, which was presented in a way that connects to real-world scenarios. The examples and exercises helped me see how statistics can be used effectively in decision-making, even in ministry contexts.”

“Wow, I can't believe how much I've learned from this course! I feel like I've gained a whole new perspective on statistics and data analysis. The way the course was structured, starting from the basics and gradually building up to more advanced topics, really helped me to understand and retain the information. I especially appreciated the emphasis on "beyond the formula" skills, like critical thinking and skepticism. It's not just about plugging numbers into a formula, but about understanding what the data is telling us and how to apply that knowledge in real-world situations. I feel so much more confident in my ability to analyze and interpret data now, and I'm excited to apply these skills in my future studies and career. Thank you to Dr. LaBarr and the entire course team for creating such a valuable and engaging learning experience!”

“Throughout this class, I gained valuable insights into statistical analysis and its application in understanding community dynamics and church demographics. The skills learned in data interpretation and research methodologies will greatly aid my ability to assess the needs of my congregation and make informed decisions about programs and outreach efforts. As a pastor, I am reminded of Proverbs 15:22, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed." Understanding how to analyze data will help me communicate more effectively with my community and tailor my ministry to better serve their needs. Additionally, as a martial arts instructor, the principles of discipline and dedication learned in this class will enhance my ability to mentor and guide my students, ensuring they also succeed in their endeavors."

Number of Students Who Have Completed This Course

Join over 900,000 enrolled CLI students online and take the next step in your spiritual formation.

Unlock the Patterns of God’s World with Our Free Statistics Course

Want to understand the world through a new lens? Our free statistics course goes beyond formulas to help you think critically and recognize the deeper patterns hidden in everyday data.

In this course, you’ll explore:

How to interpret and analyze data with purpose
The role of variation and spread in statistics
Practical, real-life applications of statistical thinking
How to use technology for calculations and graphs
The connection between faith and data-driven insight
Ways statistical thinking can enhance leadership and ministry

This free statistics course is ideal for students, leaders, and lifelong learners who want to make sense of the world with clarity and purpose. Dive into data with confidence—no advanced math required!