Attitudes about Change in the Adventist Church

Transcription

1 Attitudes about Change in the Adventist Church Monte Sahlin Center for Creative Ministry March 30, 2004 The Center for Creative Ministry does several surveys each year Samples include Adventist Church members, pastors and the general public Key trends can be traced through a number of the surveys The center is part of the North American Division s Church Resources Consortium Paul Richardson directs the center Monte Sahlin is senior analyst 1

2 Sources of Data Faith Communities Today (FACT) Part of largest study of congregations in America ever done; Adventist sample is 412 randomly selected pastors 2000 Survey of Members Part of U.S. Congregational Life Study Sample of 5,596 worship attenders Conducted for the Columbia Union Conference Sample of 1,821 worship attenders How open is your local church to innovation and change? Slightly or Not at all 22% Very 9% Quite well 31% Some 38% Faith Communities Today 2

3 How much has the style of worship changed in your local church in the last 5 years? Changed a great deal 12% Changed somewhat 24% No change 32% Changed a little 32% Faith Communities Today This congregation is always ready to try something new 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 5% 0% Strongly agree Agree Not sure Disagree Strongly disagree 2000 Survey of Members 3

4 Members are exited about the future of the church 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 5% 0% Strongly agree Agree Not sure Disagree Strongly disagree Church has a clear sense of mission and purpose 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 5% 0% Strongly agree Agree Not sure Disagree Strongly disagree 4

5 Future direction of the church 35% 30% 25% 20% 5% 0% Need to get back to the past Faithfully maintaining traditions Need to rethink where we are going Deciding on new directions Moving in new direction Unclear or no answer 2000 Survey of Members Important to start new congregations Not sure Disagree 8% Agree 77% 5

6 Willing for my local church to sponsor a church plant Disagree 11% Not sure 20% Agree 69% Willing for 2 or 3 key people to leave my church for a new plant Disagree 18% Agree 54% Not sure 28% 6

7 I am personally willing to join a core group for a church plant Disagree 23% Agree 42% Not sure 35% Reaching unreached communities more important than growth of existing churches Disagree 27% Agree 50% Not sure 23% 7

8 Personally willing to pledge for a near-by church plant Would not give 31% Monthly pledge 31% One-time gift 38% Type of congregation members belong to compared with the type they prefer 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 0% White Multicultural African American Immigrant Belong to Prefer 8

9 A congregation designed for Jewish culture 22% 37% 31% A congregation designed for Islamic culture 25% 23% 16% 36% 9

10 A congregation designed for Hindu culture 26% 24% 35% A congregation designed for Buddhist culture 26% 24% 35% 10

11 A congregation designed for secular culture 22% 39% 24% A congregation designed for American Indian culture 19% 38% 33% 11

12 A congregation for young, urban professionals 21% 11% 51% 17% A congregation for educated, wealthy leaders 24% 41% 20% 12

13 A congregation for white, liberal middle class 20% 47% 18% A congregation for Blue Collar, Catholic union members 22% 14% 43% 21% 13

14 A congregation for writers, artists, musicians, actors 21% 12% 46% 21% A congregation for secular campus students & faculty 21% 11% 50% 18% 14

15 A congregation for Appalachians 26% 40% 24% Do not pass the plate 36% Prefer it 25% 14% 25% 15

16 Casual dress 24% Prefer it 28% 36% 12% Do not use traditional Adventist language 30% Prefer it 22% 38% 16

17 Do not use organ or piano 30% Prefer it 14% 41% Church worship service is on Friday night 25% Prefer it 13% 12% 50% 17

18 Church worship is on Sabbath afternoon 29% Prefer it 18% 38% The order of service is very different 36% Prefer it 26% 25% 13% 18

19 Worship music preferences Traditional hymns Praise music Contemporary music Classical music World music Black gospel music Sung responses Contemplative chant No music 0% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 2000 Survey of Members What do you value? Traditional worship style 23% Other things 67% Contemporary worship style 2000 Survey of Members 19

20 Where are our converts coming from? Other Religions 9% Charismatic 4% Catholic 16% Unchurched 33% Mainstream Protestant 16% Conservative Protestant 22% 2000 Survey of Members Leadership style of your pastor 14% Take charge 17% No leader 9% Acts on voted goals 18% Inspires leaders 42% 2000 Survey of Members 20

21 Extent to which pastor considers the opinions of members 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 5% 0% Great extent Some Small extent Not at all 2000 Survey of Members 2004, Center for Creative Ministry (800)