Church Growth Book. FACT Adventist Study Monte Sahlin 2002

Transcription

1 Church Growth Book FACT Adventist Study Monte Sahlin 2002

2 Church growth and perceptions about congregational spirituality 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Deepens members' relationships with God Worship is inspirational Expresses Adventist heritage Stable churches

3 Church growth and perceptions about congregational atmosphere 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Feels like a family Emphasizes personal relationships Seeking greater diversity Easily incorporates newcomers Stable churches

4 Church growth and perceptions about the congregation s progress 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Members are excited about the future Welcomes change and innovation Deals openly with conflicts Seeks to preserve an ethnic/cultural heritge Stable churches

5 Church growth and perceptions about community visibility 2 18% 16% 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% Community is wellinformed about church activities Is a moral beacon in the community Is working for social justice Stable churches

6 Summary of church growth and congregational perceptions 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Spirituality Atmosphere Progress Visibility Stable churches

7 Church growth and congregational dynamics 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Single-cell churches Pastor-centered churches Program-centered churches Corporation-style churches Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches

8 Church growth and the number of worship services 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% One worship Two or more worships Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches

9 Church growth and worship style Multiple worships are similar in style Multiple worships are somewhat different Multiple worships are very different Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches

10 Church growth and worship style 44% of growing churches have changed the style of their primary worship service somewhat or a great deal in the last five years. 66% of declining churches have changed the style of their primary worship service little or none in the last five years.

11 Church growth and sermon focus 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% God's love and care Practical advice for daily living Personal spiritual growth Social justice or social action Personal salvation Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches

12 Church growth and sermon style 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Personal stories Literary or scholarly references Illustrations from contemporary media Detailed explanations of scripture Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches

13 Church growth and liturgical worship style 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Reading of creeds A time to greet each other Incense or candles Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches

14 Church growth and conventional worship style 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Time for testimonies Kneeling by the congregation Children's story Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches

15 Church growth and contemporary worship style 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Use a projector Drama Members lead worship Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches

16 Church growth and time to greet one another There is a strong correlation between church growth and a time during worship for people to greet each other.

17 Worship elements correlated to church growth 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% A time to greet each other Drama Illustrations from contemporary media Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches

18 Members leading worship Member participation in leading worship does not correlate to church growth as strongly as members not participating correlates with church decline Growing churches Declining churches Always do so Never do so

19 Church growth and music: What correlates? 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Always/often use electronic keyboard Always/often use string or wind instruments Always/often use drums

20 Church growth and music: What does not correlate? Always use organ and/or piano Always/often use electric guitar/bass Recorded music

21 Church growth and music 24% of growing churches always or often use string or wind instruments, while 36% of declining churches seldom or never do so 94% of growing churches and 85% of declining churches always or often use organ and/or piano Bottom line: music style does not correlate strongly with church growth.

22 Church growth and sources of authority 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Scripture Adventist heritage The Holy Spirit Reason and understanding Personal experience and common sense EG White writings Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches

23 Church growth and sources of authority Adventist heritage The Holy Spirit Reason and understanding EG White writings

24 Church growth and how many members welcome visitors One or two members typically greet a visitor More than 5 members typically greet a visitor

25 Church growth and the congregation s world view More other-world focused More this-world focused A balanced focus

26 Church growth and the year a congregation was founded Before to s 1970s 1980s 1990s

27 Church growth and the year a congregation was founded 18% 16% 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s

28 Church growth and type of community 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Rural area Town of less than 10,000 population Town of 10,000 to 50,000 population Metropolitan area of less than 250,000 Metropolitan area larger than 250,000

29 Church growth and urbanization 76% of declining congregations are located in rural areas and small towns 73% of growing congregations are located in metropolitan areas

30 Church growth and type of metropolitan neighborhood 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Downtown Urban neighborhood Older suburb Newer suburb

31 Church growth and type of neighborhood 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Residential neighborhood Mixed commercial and residential neighborhood Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches

32 Church growth and space available for worship 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Much more than needed Slightly more than needed About right Slightly less than needed Much less than needed

33 Church growth and space available for Sabbath School 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Much more than needed Slightly more than needed About right Slightly less than needed Much less than needed

34 Church growth and space available for fellowship/outreach Much more than needed Slightly more than needed About right Slightly less than needed Much less than needed

35 Church growth and space available for parking 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Much more than needed Slightly more than needed About right Slightly less than needed Much less than needed

36 Church growth and condition of physical plant 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Excellent Good Needs improvement Serious need of repair

37 Church growth and sharing the building with another congregation Another congregation uses our building No other congregation uses our building

38 Church growth and Sabbath School Have a Sabbath School No other congregation uses our building

39 Church growth and Bible study programs One-time or occasional event A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry

40 Church growth and doctrinal study programs 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% One-time or occasional event A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry

41 Church growth and prayer groups One-time or occasional event A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry

42 Church growth and spiritual retreats 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% One-time or occasional event A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry

43 Church growth and community service activities 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% One-time or occasional events A seasonal project An ongoing ministry

44 Church growth and family life ministries 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Occasional events A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry

45 Church growth and a choir or choirs 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Once in a while One season of the year All through the year

46 Church growth and music, art, drama ministries 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Occasional events A seasonal program An ongoing ministry

47 Church growth and groups that discuss books or contemporary issues 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% One-time or occasional event A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry

48 Church growth and self-help or personal growth groups 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% One-time or occasional event A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry

49 Church growth and exercise, fitness and weight loss classes 25% 2 15% 1 5% One-time or occasional event A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry

50 Church growth and sports teams 16% 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% One-time or occasional event A seasonal program A year-round program

51 Church growth and Pathfinder Club or youth group One-time or occasional event A program for part of the year An ongoing ministry

52 Church growth and young adult or single ministries 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Occasional events A program for part of the year An ongoing ministry

53 Church growth and teaching spiritual disciplines Emphasize a great deal Emphasize quite a bit Emphasize less

54 Church growth and encouraging family worship Emphasize a great deal Emphasize less

55 Church growth and encouraging fasting Emphasize a great deal Emphasize quite a bit Emphasize less

56 Church growth and teaching dietary restrictions Emphasize a great deal Emphasize quite a bit Emphasize less

57 Church growth and teaching abstinence from alcohol Emphasize a great deal Emphasize quite a bit Emphasize less

58 Church growth and teaching Sabbath-keeping Emphasize a great deal Emphasize less

59 Church growth and encouraging religious symbols in the home Emphasize a great deal Emphasize quite a bit Emphasize less

60 Church growth and teaching abstinence from premarital sex Emphasize a great deal Emphasize quite a bit Emphasize less

61 Church growth and follow-up with newcomers in worship 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Contact within a few days Contact within a week or two Contact within a month or two Don't follow-up Have no method to get names

62 Church growth and outreach through newspaper ads Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it

63 Church growth and outreach through radio or television spots Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it

64 Church growth and outreach through direct mail Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it

65 Church growth and outreach through public evangelism Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it

66 Church growth and outreach through newcomer ministry Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it

67 Church growth and outreach through Friendship Evangelism Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it

68 Church growth and outreach through seeker services Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it

69 Church growth and outreach through entry events Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it

70 Church growth and outreach through pastoral visits Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it

71 Church growth and outreach through visits by members Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it

72 Church growth and prison ministry Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s) Not involved

73 Church growth and sponsoring a Community Service Center Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s) Not provided

74 Church growth and community service through food pantry/soup kitchen Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s) Not provided

75 Church growth and community service through cash assistance Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s) Not provided

76 Church growth and community service through a housing program 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)

77 Church growth and community service through counseling services 25% 2 15% 1 5% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)

78 Church growth and community service through a substance abuse program 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)

79 Church growth and community service through day care or after-school program 16% 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)

80 Church growth and community service through a voter registration project 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)

81 Church growth and social action or community organizing projects 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)

82 Church growth and community service through a job finding or training program 1 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)

83 Church growth and community service through health ministries Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s) Not provided

84 Church growth and community service through nursing home visits 18% 16% 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)

85 Church growth and community service through a senior citizens program 25% 2 15% 1 5% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)

86 Church growth and community service through immigrant assistance 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)

87 Church growth and community service through a homeless shelter 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)

88 Church growth and focus of church ministries 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% All or most activities focus on growth Most activities are independent

89 Church growth and goals for growth 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% No goal Goal of 1% or 2% per year Goal of 3% to 1 per year Goal of more than 1 per year

90 Church growth and education of the pastor 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% No college degree Only a college degree Masters degree Doctoral degree

91 Church growth and ethnicity of the pastor Asian African American Hispanic Non-Hispanic white

92 Church growth and pastoral tenure One pastor in the last ten years Two or three pastors in the last ten years Four or more pastors in the last ten years

93 Church growth and participation in joint worship events Not involved in the last year With other Adventist churches With other Christian churches With other faiths

94 Church growth and participation in joint celebrations Not involved in the last year With other Adventist churches With other Christian churches With other faiths

95 Church growth and participation in joint community services Not involved in the last year With other Adventist churches With other Christian churches With other faiths

96 Church growth and participation in local ministerial associations Not involved in the last year With other Adventist churches With other Christian churches With other faiths

97 Church growth and conflict about theology No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict

98 Church growth and conflict about finances/budget No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict

99 Church growth and conflict about worship style No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict

100 Church growth and conflict about program priorities No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict

101 Church growth and conflict about authority No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict

102 Church growth and conflict about the pastor s leadership style No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict

103 Church growth and conflict about the pastor s personal behavior No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict

104 Church growth and conflict about personal behavior of a member 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict

105 Church growth and conflict about other issues No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict

106 Church growth and church standards Explicit standards are strictly enforced Clear standards, but not strictly enforced Only implicit standards, seldom enforced

107 Church growth and internal communications Announcements during worship Church bulletin Church newsletter Union paper or conference newsletter Regular letters from the pastor

108 Church growth and access to a church computer No access Use a member's private computer Church owns or leases a computer

109 Church growth and use of computers Word processing List management Accounting Education communication A church web site

110 Church growth and total persons associated with the church in any way or less 101 to to 700 Over 700

111 Church growth and ethnic majority of the congregation Asian African American Hispanic Native American Non-Hispanic white

112 Church growth and the number of women in the congregation Relatively few (4 or less) Normal range (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)

113 Church growth and the number of adults with little education Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)

114 Church growth and the number of adults with college degrees Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)

115 Church growth and the number of young adults Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)

116 Church growth and the number of senior citizens Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)

117 Church growth and the number of married people 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)

118 Church growth and the number of life-long Adventists Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)

119 Church growth and the number of new members Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)

120 Church growth and the number living in the neighborhood Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)

121 Church growth and the number more than 15 minutes away from church Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)

122 Church growth and the number holding volunteer roles in the church Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)

123 Church growth and the number in low-income households Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)

124 Church growth and the number of families with children Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)

125 Church growth and the number of adults who are immigrants Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)

126 Church growth and the number of adults participating in small groups 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% None Hardly any (1% to 1) A few (11% to 2) Some (21% to 4) Many (41% to 6) Most or all (61% to 10)

127 Church growth and the number of adults attending mid-week meeting 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% None Hardly any (1% to 1) A few (11% to 2) Some (21% to 4) Many (41% or more)

128 Church growth and the number of adults recruiting new members Few or none Some Most Almost all

129 Church growth and the number of adults expressing their faith by helping others Few or none Some Most Almost all

130 Church growth and the percent of teenagers from church families involved in church 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Hardly any Few Some Most Almost all

131 Church growth and the current financial health of the congregation 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Excellent Good Tight but manageable In trouble

132 Church growth and the past financial health of the congregation 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Excellent Good Tight but manageable In trouble

133 Church growth and the total income to the church last year 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Under $53,000 $53,000 to $99,999 $100,000 to $180,000 $181,000 to $365,000 Over $365,000

134 Church growth and budget for local church staff None Under $7,500 per year Over $7,500 per year

135 Church growth and budget for local church operations 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Less than $7,000 per year $7,000 to $18,999 per year $19,000 or more per year

136 Church growth and budget for local mission work Less than $600 per year $600 to $4,999 per year $5,000 or more per year

137 Church growth and budget for national/international mission work None Less than $1,700 $1,700 or more

138 Church growth and budget for Christian education 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% None Less than $1,000 per year $1,000 to $14,999 per year $15,000 or more per year

139 Church growth and total local expenditures last year 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Less than $14,000 $14,000 to $29,999 $30,000 to $60,999 $61,000 to $133,999 $134,000 or more

140 Church growth and total tithe last year Less than $59,000 $59,000 to $117,999 $118,000 to $176,999 $177,000 to $360,000 Over $360,000

141 Church growth and total denominational offerings last year 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% $5,000 or less $5,001 to $10,299 $10,300 to $15,349 $15,350 to $49,999 $50,000 or more

142 Church growth and stewardship education methods used in last year Sermons or appeals by the pastor Appeals or testimonies by members Yard sales, bake sales, etc. Appeals based on specific needs Promotional materials, bulletin inserts Contacting members by phone or visits Pledge or commitment cards Giving guidelines on the offering envelope

143 Church growth and member attitudes about tithing Believe they should place all tithe in the Tithe Fund administered by the conference Think it is permissible to use a portion of their tithe for other funds/ministries

144 Church growth and operating from a church budget in writing Have a formal, written annual budget Do not have a formal, written annual budget

145 Church growth and debt Church has a mortgage or other debt Church has no debt

146 Church growth and mission/vision statements Church has a written mission or vision statement Church does not

147 Church growth and language English language congregations Spanish language congregatoins