AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE REACH AND INFLUENCE OF MEDIA IN THE WORLD SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

Transcription

1 AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE REACH AND INFLUENCE OF MEDIA IN THE WORLD SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH Roger L. Dudley, Director The Institute of Church Ministry The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a world-wide church with the commission to reach all peoples with the Gospel as enfolded in the Three Angels= Messages of Revelation 14. While there are long-standing methods of proclaiming the Church=s message, there is an increasing use of various media to communicate the everlasting Gospel. Of these print goes back before the founding of the church, but radio and television are more recent twentieth-century phenomena. Even more on the cutting edge of the twenty-first century is the internet, fast becoming ubiquitous. The Adventist church operates in all these media forms. However, the church needs to know how wide-spreading and effective they are. So many outlets now exist that it is difficult to keep track of all of them and to judge their success. Therefore, the Strategic Planning Committee of the General Conference has requested the Media Sub-committee, working with the Office of Assessment and Program Effectiveness, to conduct a survey of media directors and users to determine the present status of the various media and opinions of media users. To implement this, the Strategic Planning Committee has commissioned the Institute of Church Ministry (ICM) at Andrews University to aid in designing the study, constructing the questionnaires, collecting the data, analyzing the results, and presenting a report. History of the Project This research has had a rather long and involved history, stretching over about three and a half years. In early 2006, Michael Ryan, chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, approached 1

2 ICM with requests for several research projects. The largest was a World Survey of pastors and leading lay members in the various union conferences/missions of the church. This was a replication of the project which evaluated the status of the Expected Outcomes document. After many revisions of the questionnaire and the collecting of necessary information, surveys were mailed in the summer of Data were collected, analyzed, and a report presented in March By summer, ICM had completed the typed transcripts of all the write-in comments and issued that report. Then a secondary analysis of the data to search for factors that were related to church growth was performed. A full report of that analysis, concluding the World Survey project, was issued in April of In the meantime, a second project that was initiated in the 2006 meeting with Michael Ryan was launched. This was an analysis of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) facing the Adventist church. Surveys were collected from presidents, executive secretaries, and treasurers of the world divisions and unions as well as the presidents of leading colleges and universities and the chief operating officers of key medical centers. After a lengthy collection process, the final SWOT report was issued in October However, at the early 2006 meeting Michael Ryan had requested a third projectba study of the status of Adventist media. The slogan adopted for the new quinquenium by the General Conference Session in 2005 was ATell the World@ with seven components. While the first six were included in the SWOT document, the seventhban attempt to reach every person through creative methods of technology and communicationbrequired a separate project. The original proposal was very simple, calling for a short open-ended questionnaire to be sent to the communication directors of the divisions and unions and to directors of major media 2

3 centers. It anticipated accepted of the proposal and survey by the summer of 2006 with data collection in the autumn, writing the report in early 2007, and presenting the report in March of Obviously, it did not happen that way. Attention to beginning the first two large projects occupied ICM at first. Then when it was time to begin the media study, the Strategic Planning Committee changed directions. It appointed a sub-committee to address the issues of communication and technology under the chairmanship of Benjamin Schoun and requested that ICM should work with this sub-committee to decide the best approach to this question. Because of the busy schedule of Schoun as President of Adventist World Radio and the other members of the sub-committee many months passed before serious consideration was given to this project. But in the fall of 2007, the work began in earnest with Schoun making a visit to ICM offices. Schoun envisioned a much-expanded project from the original modest proposal. It would include a much-more complicated and lengthy survey which would go to 5200 individuals. After some months of discussions and revisions, a proposal was finalized in May of It would cost approximately $21,000. When it went to the Strategic Planning Committee, the committee put a hold on the project for further study. In September of 2008, Schoun wrote that it was decided to incorporate the media study as part of a larger, more comprehensive study being planned. Therefore, the media project was transferred to the Office of Assessment and Program Effectiveness (OAPE), under the direction of Paul Brantley. Throughout the last three months of 2008, Brantley and ICM worked closely to formulate new questionnaires and a new research design. The project now included gathering information on Adventist World and the HOPE CHANNEL television ministry. 3

4 The early months of 2009 were devoted to an intensive collection of data ending in June. So finally after nearly three and a half years this report is being presented. Survey Questionnaires Since various groups are involved, it was decided that no single survey would be appropriate for all groups. Therefore, the study consisted of five different surveys as follows. Media Opinion Scale: This survey did not ask for specific information but for opinions such as what media should take priority, what is most effective medium for reaching non- Adventists and what is most effective for nurturing Adventists, and what respondents believe the future holds for media evangelism. There were also a few write-in questions asking for ideas to make the various media more effective in reaching the people in their territories. The following three surveys each began with these questions. Communications Directors Survey: In addition to the Media Opinion Scale this survey explored the major languages needed to reach the populations in a given jurisdiction and explored the obstacles in that territory to reaching people with radio, television, and the internet. It also sought to make an inventory of the radio, television, and internet resources in a given territory. Media Center Directors Survey: This was essentially the same as the survey for Communication Directors with a different heading to identify the particular center. Publishing Directors Survey: This survey used much of the introductory material of the Communication Directors Survey but then requested material on print media rather than radio, television, and the internet. 4

5 Presidents= Survey: These surveys were separately titled for presidents of divisions, union conferences/missions, and local conference/missions. They began with questions about the Adventist World and the HOPE CHANNEL television ministries and followed with the Media Opinion Scale mentioned above. Media Committee members reviewed the survey instruments listed above and provided timely suggestions resulting in several refinements. Copies of these questionnaires are appended to this report. Research Design It was decided to use two different survey methodsba web-based survey and a mail survey to those whose web addresses were not easily obtained. For the web survey, ICM employed web-master, Jonathan Pichot, to construct a web design using rented software. Pichot built six different surveys: division presidents, union presidents, conference presidents, communication directors, publishing directors, and media center directors. For each type he provided an with a link. Clicking on the link or pasting it into the browser opened the survey with instructions to fill it out and submit it. Submissions were compiled by Pichot, and the data furnished to ICM for analyses. The introductory was written and signed by Paul Brantley, General Field Secretary and Director, Office of Assessment and Program Effectiveness at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The Presidents= Survey was sent by to all the presidents of the divisions, union conference/missions, and local conference/missions. The Communication Directors= Survey was sent to the communication directors of the divisions and union conferences/missions. 5

6 The Publishing Directors= Survey was sent to the publishing directors of the divisions and union conferences/missions. The Media Directors= Survey was sent to all the media centers in the world-wide church. The link to complete these six surveys was ed directly to the respondents where e- mail addresses were known. Where addresses were not known, the s with the links were sent to executive secretaries with the request for them to forward the s to the appropriate parties. In addition to these six web-based surveys, a mailed survey solicited the opinions of pastors, evangelists, and leading lay members. This survey utilized the Media Opinion Scale, described above. Two different copies were prepared, each one marked as either evangelist or lay member. Three copies of a third survey, marked pastor began with the questions about Adventist World and the HOPE CHANNEL (from the presidents= surveys) and then continued with the Media Opinion Scale. All five copies of these paper surveys were mailed to the executive secretary of each of the world union conferences/missions. They were accompanied by a letter from the General Conference Executive Secretary which requested them to give the respective surveys to three pastors, an evangelist, and a leading lay member, ask the recipients to complete them, and then return them to the Executive Secretary who would mail all five back to the Institute of Church Ministry for processing. No surveys of either method were sent out until both the surveys themselves and the research design was approved by all responsible leaders and committees. Results from the Mail Survey 6

7 Usable surveys were returned by mail from 279 pastors, evangelists, or lay leaders. They were received from all 13 divisions as follows: ECD: 10 SPD: 8 EUD: 11 SUD: 19 ESD: 39 SSD: 22 IAD: 37 TED: 22 NAD: 19 WAD: 25 NSD: 15 SAD: 38 SID: 14 Since three pastor surveys were sent out compared to one each of evangelists and lay leaders, obviously, more pastoral surveys are included in the 279 returns. Pastor % Evangelist % Lay leaders % One survey not identified The first set of questions asked about the best methods for using a special grant: PART A: Which method works best? If you received a special grant, which method do you feel would be most effective in reaching most persons in your territory with the gospel? Put the number 1 by your top choice and the number 2 by your second most effective choice. Top two choices only. 1. Use television, radio, Internet, and print/publications to enter homes with the Advent message 2. Use satellite NET evangelism featuring an outstanding evangelist down-linked to many locations 3. Use auditoriums or hotel meeting rooms to conduct seminars such as Revelation seminars 4. Use open-air settings such as tent meetings to sponsor local evangelistic campaigns Method Preference Method First choice Percentage Second Percentage Television, radio, print, etc % 59 21% Revelation and other seminars 45 16% 78 28% Open-air settings 36 13% 53 19% Satellite net evangelism 13 5% 68 24% The preference was clearly for broadcast and print media. Various seminars were in a distant second place. All percentages were rounded to the nearest whole percentage. The next question explored the reaching of Non-Adventists by media: 7

8 PART B: What is the most effective medium for reaching NON-ADVENTISTS in your territory with the message? Put the number 1 by your top choice and the number 2 by your second most effective choice. 5. Print: such as books and magazines; including the publishing work within our Church 6. Radio: such as the Voice of Prophecy and Adventist World Radio 7. Television: such as It Is Written, Quiet Hour, Amazing Facts, and HOPE programs 8. Internet: such as Internet TV, Face-book evangelism, YouTube, blogs, and Reaching Non-Adventists Method First choice Percentage Second Percentage Books, magazines, etc % 87 31% Television evangelism 83 30% 70 25% Radio evangelism 50 18% 61 22% Internet evangelism 36 13% 46 17% By a small margin, the group favors the publishing ministry, followed by television. The internet does not seem to have caught on as yet. But what about nurturing Adventists? PART C: What is the most effective medium for nurturing and strengthening ADVENTISTS within your territory? Put the number 1 by your top choice and the number 2 by your second most effective choice. 9. Print: including books & magazines such as Adventist Book Centers, Adventist Review, Adventist World, Insight, Guide 10. Radio: such as the Voice of Prophecy, LifeTalk Radio, and local Adventist radio stations 11. Television: such as HOPE TV Channel, 3 Angels Broadcasting, Loma Linda TV, etc. 12. Internet: such as resources for Sabbath School and youth, blogs, YouTube, etc. Nurturing Adventists Method First choice Percentage Second Percentage Books, magazines, etc % 64 23% Television evangelism 70 25% 71 25% Radio evangelism 38 14% 66 24% Internet evangelism 21 8% 61 22% 8

9 The order of selection is the same for non-adventists and Adventists, but the percentage of those favoring print media is more than double that of television. These preference questions were followed by five multiple-choice questions. The first three are in a disagreeagree format.. 9

10 In my region, Media (print, Internet, TV, radio) are essential tools for completing the Gospel commission. Media Essential Frequency Percentage Valid percentage Disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Completely agree Total Missing Workers in Adventist media around the world are collaborating closely with each other. Close Collaboration Frequency Percentage Valid percentage Disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Completely agree Total Missing It is difficult to document the effectiveness of media in winning souls for Christ. Difficult to Measure Frequency Percentage Valid percentage Disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Completely agree Total Missing The most agreement (92%) comes on the essential nature of media for completing the Gospel commission. Somewhat less agreement but still a majority is found on media collaboration (65%) and the difficulty of documenting the effectiveness of media in winning souls (65%). The survey then asked: AIn the future, which medium do you feel will have the greatest potential for impacting the church in positive ways?@ 10

11 Greatest Potential Frequency Percentage Valid percentage Print/publications Radio Television Internet Total Missing Even though respondents had chosen print media as the most effective way of reaching non-adventists and nurturing Adventists, when they thought of future potential, they saw the greatest possibilities in television, followed by the internet. These two gathered first-place responses from 71%. Only 20% believed the future lay with print media. A final summary question asked for the extent media should play in the growth and evangelism of the respondents= particular territory. The following four options were offered: 1. Very top priority; funding should be increased even if it means cutting other outreach areas. 2. Top priority; should receive priority attention along with other methods of church outreach. 3. Some priority, but not at the expense of training and developing people to win souls. 4. Little or no priority; preference should be given to person-to-person evangelism. Priority Rating Frequency Percentage Valid percentage Very top Top Some Little or none Total Missing Close to half (45%) want it allbtop priority but also top priority to other outreach methods. This is a little like the village where all the children are above average. In spite of the lack of logic, these committed servants want to advance all aspects of God=s work. Since about two-thirds of those responding, give media evangelism top or very top priority, it is evident that these ministries are considered very important. Only 3% would give them little or no priority. 11

12 In addition to these multiple-choice questions, the Media Opinion Scale ended with four write-in questions. Basically, the format was: AWhat ideas do you have to make Adventist television more effective in reaching every people group in your territory with the Adventist The other three questions substituted Adventist radio, Adventist internet, and Adventist printed materials for Adventist television. Respondents wrote copiously. These comments were all transcribed and fill 60 pages. The comments will be included at the end of this report. Adventist World and HOPE CHANNEL As mentioned in the opening description of this report, the original Media Opinion Scale was joined with a separate survey to measure the status of Adventist World and the HOPE CHANNEL television ministry. These questions went to all the recipients of the web surveys, but they were also included in the mail survey to the pastorsbnot the evangelists or lay leaders. Of the 166 pastors who returned the Media Opinion Scale, 164 also answered these questions although most questions have a few missing respondents. These responses came from all thirteen divisions and 56 union conferences/missions. Adventist World Information The first question asked about the delivery method: How does Adventist World (AW) get to the church members in your church or district? [ ] AW is mailed directly to the homes of our members; pastors are not involved [ ] AW gets mailed to the church and members get their copies from the church [ ] I pick up shipments of AW from our Conference/mission office and then deliver to my church(es) [ ] The church members in my territory don=t receive Adventist World [ ] Other 12

13 Delivery Method Frequency Percent Valid percent Direct to homes Mailed to churches Get at Conference office Don=t receive AW Other Total Missing It appears that the largest number are distributed through the conference offices to the pastors and on to the churches. Of some concern is the finding that about 19% of the churches do not receive Adventist World at all. This question was followed by a set of six questions, each of which posed a possible problem and asked to what extent the problem existed in the territory of the respondent. Too many members in my church or district do not receive Adventist World. Valid percentage Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Missing Nearly half (46%) are having a problem with members not receiving the journal. Delivery problems prevent our members from properly receiving Adventist World. Valid percentage Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Missing In more than a fourth of the churches where members do not receive the journal, the problem lies in delivery methods. I have difficulty getting shipments from the conference. Valid percentage Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Missing With nearly a fifth (18.9%) the delivery problem lies with the conferences. I have difficulty distributing Adventist World to the members in my church or district. Valid percentage Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Missing In another 18%, the pastors cannot get the papers out to every home. Mail service is too expensive or unreliable in our area. Valid percentage Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Missing The nearly fifth experiencing some problem here are presumably located in overseas churches. 13

14 Adventist World fails to tap the interest or reading levels of my church members. Valid percentage Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Missing Surprising that more than a third do not seem interested in the material published in Adventist World. HOPE Television Channel Information The section on the HOPE CHANNEL used the same basic approach. Five possible problems were presented, and respondents were asked to indicate the extent of the problem in their territory. My territory is not included in HOPE CHANNEL coverage. Valid percentage Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Missing About 30% have some problems with coverage. 14

15 HOPE CHANNEL does not come in the language many of my members understand. Valid percentage Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Missing world. This is a large problem. HOPE will need to incorporate more languages to reach the HOPE CHANNEL programs fail to capture the interest of my church members. Valid percentage Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Missing Pastors are about evenly divided in finding this a problem. HOPE needs more research on preferences. Members cannot afford to receive HOPE CHANNEL in their homes. Valid percentage Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Missing Only 16% don=t find this to be a problemba real limitation.. My churches cannot afford HOPE CHANNEL downlinks. Valid percentage Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Missing Not as serious as home costs, but still 42% can=t afford downlinks. In addition to these multiple-choice questions, respondents were asked about the sections of their territories that would be affected by Adventist World distribution problems and suggestions for making the journal more effective in their fields. They were also asked to comment on ways HOPE CHANNEL had proved helpful and to offer suggestions for making it more effective. These comments were all transcribed and fill 23 pages. The comments will be included at the end of this report. Results from the Web Surveys Usable web surveys were completed by 218 respondents. They were received from all 13 divisions as follows: ECD: 9 NAD: 35 SPD: 20 WAD: 9 15

16 EUD: 25 NSD: 7 SUD: 10 Unidentified: 4 ESD: 9 SAD: 8 SSD: 17 IAD: 25 SID: 10 TED: 30 The six different surveys were divided as follows: Conference presidents % Union presidents: % Division presidents: 16 (?) 7.3% Communication directors % Media Centers directors % Publishing directors % The Media Opinion Scale The first set of questions asked about the best methods for using a special grant: PART A: Which method works best? If you received a special grant, which method do you feel would be most effective in reaching most persons in your territory with the gospel? Put the number 1 by your top choice and the number 2 by your second most effective choice. Top two choices only. 1. Use television, radio, Internet, and print/publications to enter homes with the Advent message 2. Use satellite NET evangelism featuring an outstanding evangelist down-linked to many locations 3. Use auditoriums or hotel meeting rooms to conduct seminars such as Revelation seminars 4. Use open-air settings such as tent meetings to sponsor local evangelistic campaigns Method Preference Method First choice Percentage Second Percentage Television, radio, print, etc % 24 11% Revelation and other seminars 28 13% 64 30% Satellite net evangelism 11 5% 75 35% Open-air settings 7 3% 50 24% The preference was clearly for broadcast and print media. Various seminars were in a distant second place. But notice that satellite net evangelism is in third place, unlike the mail survey where it was last. All percentages were rounded to the nearest whole percentage. The next question explored the reaching of Non-Adventists: PART B: What is the most effective medium for reaching NON-ADVENTISTS in your territory with the message? Put the number 1 by your top choice and the number 2 by your second most effective choice. 5. Print: such as books and magazines; including the publishing work within our Church 6. Radio: such as the Voice of Prophecy and Adventist World Radio 7. Television: such as It Is Written, Quiet Hour, Amazing Facts, and HOPE programs 8. Internet: such as Internet TV, Face-book evangelism, YouTube, blogs, and Reaching Non-Adventists Method First choice Percentage Second Percentage Books, magazines, etc % 49 23% Television evangelism 52 24% 65 30% Internet evangelism 46 22% 48 22% Radio evangelism 41 19% 52 24% 16

17 By a small margin, the group favors the publishing ministry, followed by television, as in the mail survey. The internet has risen to third place, in contrast to the mail survey. But what about nurturing Adventists? PART C: What is the most effective medium for nurturing and strengthening ADVENTISTS within your territory? Put the number 1 by your top choice and the number 2 by your second most effective choice. 9. Print: including books & magazines such as Adventist Book Centers, Adventist Review, Adventist World, Insight, Guide 10. Radio: such as the Voice of Prophecy, LifeTalk Radio, and local Adventist radio stations 11. Television: such as HOPE TV CHANNEL, 3 Angels Broadcasting, Loma Linda TV, etc. 12. Internet: such as resources for Sabbath School and youth, blogs, YouTube, etc. Nurturing Adventists Method First choice Percentage Second Percentage Books, magazines, etc % 42 20% Television evangelism 44 21% 77 36% Internet evangelism 21 10% 51 24% Radio evangelism 20 9% 43 20% The order of selection is the same for non-adventists and Adventists, but the percentage of those favoring print media has increased by 25%. These preference questions were followed by five multiple-choice questions. The first three are in a disagree-agree format.. In my region, Media (print, Internet, TV, radio) are essential tools for completing the Gospel commission. Media Essential Frequency Percentage Valid percentage Disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Completely agree Total Missing 1.5 Workers in Adventist media around the world are collaborating closely with each other. Close Collaboration Frequency Percentage Valid percentage Disagree Somewhat disagree

18 Somewhat agree Completely agree Total Missing

19 It is difficult to document the effectiveness of media in winning souls for Christ. Difficult to Measure Frequency Percentage Valid percentage Disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Completely agree Total Missing The most agreement (95%) comes on the essential nature of media for completing the Gospel commission. Somewhat less agreement, but still a majority, is found on media collaboration (60%) and the difficulty of documenting the effectiveness of media in winning souls (68%). The survey then asked: AIn the future, which medium do you feel will have the greatest potential for impacting the church in positive ways?@ Greatest Potential Frequency Percentage Valid percentage Print/publications Radio Television Internet Total Missing Even though respondents had chosen print media as the most effective way of reaching non-adventists and nurturing Adventists, when they thought of future potential, they saw the greatest possibilities in the internet followed by television. These two gathered first-place responses from 73%. Only 21% believed the future lay with print media. A final summary question asked for the extent media should play in the growth and evangelism of the respondents= particular territory. The following four options were offered: 1. Very top priority; funding should be increased even if it means cutting other outreach areas. 2. Top priority; should receive priority attention along with other methods of church outreach. 3. Some priority, but not at the expense of training and developing people to win souls. 4. Little or no priority; preference should be given to person-to-person evangelism. 19

20 Priority Rating Frequency Percentage Valid percentage Very top Top Some Little or none Total Missing More than 70% want it allbtop priority but also top priority to other outreach methods. This is the same interesting finding as in the mail survey. In spite of the lack of logic, these committed servants want to advance all aspects of God=s work. Since more than two-thirds of those responding, give media evangelism top or very top priority, it is evident that these ministries are considered very important. Only 3% would give them little or no priority. As in the mail survey, the Media Opinion Scale included in all web surveys asked for write-in answers to suggestions for making Adventist television, radio, the internet, and printed materials more effective in reaching every people group in their respective territories. These comments have all been transcribed, fill 18 pages, and will be included at the end of this report. Additional Questions for the Directors Following the Media Opinion Scale, additional questions were asked only of the directors of union conference/mission communication and publishing departments and directors of media centers. The directors were asked which of ten languages must be used to reach the people groups in their territories with the Gospel. In the list below are the names of the languages, the number of directors who said these were essential, and the percentage of the whole group responding. Since more than one language may be required in any jurisdiction, the percentages will not add to 100%. English 50 23% Mandarin 7 3% French 19 9% German 9 4% Spanish 21 10% Bengali 4 2% Russian 13 6% Portuguese 11 5% Arabic 7 3% Hindi/Urdu 3 1% 20

21 English is by far the most needed, but even it is called for in only 23% of the locations. Spanish and French are both needed in around 10% of the territories, but the rest drew no more than 6%. Facing Obstacles The next block on the questionnaire asked what obstacles were faced in the respective territories in reaching people with the four categories of media. The table reveals the number that checked off a particular obstacle as being applicable. Radio, Television, Internet, and Publishing are listed separately as obstacles do not necessarily affect all means of media the same. 21

22 Obstacle Publish Radio TV Internet Inadequate finances to provide Government restrictions Lack Adventist print materials 12 Lack Adventist radio broadcasts 12 Lack Adventist TV broadcasts/downlinks 14 Lack Adventist internet web sites 11 No access to Adventist publications 10 No access to radios 6 No access to TV or satellite dishes 10 No internet connections 12 Prejudice among the people Not enough skilled workers Not all needed languages Inadequate equipment for production Illiteracy Television Information Communication and media center directors were asked to estimate the number of HOPE CHANNEL downlink sites in their territories. While 46 directors reported at least one, something is very strange in these data. The number ranged from 1 with six reporting that figure to 40 million by one and 400,000 by another. Six others reported from 1000 to 50,000. While 31 gave figures ranging from 1 to 10 outlets, another 15 claimed from 30 to 300. If a downlink site is a station that receives the signal and re-broadcasts it, or even if it is an individual congregation with a satellite dish, such large figures are impossible. The most logical explanation is that respondents misunderstood the question and estimated the number of people who could possibly view HOPE CHANNEL. Therefore, these figures cannot be considered reliable. The next question seems clear enough, but the answers have some troubling aspects. AHow many television outlets other than HOPE CHANNEL broadcast Adventist programs in your territory?@ 17 = 0; 15 =1; 10 = 2; 5 = 3; 1 = 5; 2 = 10. These seem quite reasonable, but then one each reported 15, 20, 35, and 100. While these seem somewhat unlikely, it may help to know that the 100 was reported by the North American Division Media center. AHow many cable companies are carrying HOPE CHANNEL in your territory?@ It is difficult to get cable companies to carry a religious channel so it is not surprising that 26 directors reported none. But then four each reported 1 and 2, two claimed 3, and one a mind- 22

23 stretching 5. But another ten directors reported figures ranging from 10 to 102. What territory even has 102 cable companies? Or 20, 30, or 40? Actually, the 102 figure came from the South Philippines Media Center. The television section concluded with: AHow many low-power TV stations (LPTV) that carry HOPE CHANNEL are broadcasting in your Thirty-five of the 58 directors had none, and nine others failed to answer the question. The other fourteen had answers ranging from one (3) and two (2) all the way up to 160, reported by the media director of the North Mexican Union. Radio Information Does your territory receive AWR short wave broadcasts? Frequency Percentage Valid Percentage Not Applicable Yes No The majority of territories do not have access to AWR short wave. The next question asked how many local non-adventist radio stations broadcast Adventist programs either free or with purchased air time. None Missing 8 Total 58 The 30 is possible, while the 200 comes from the North American Division. The final radio question asked how many Adventist local radio stations were located within their territory. Thirty-one reported none, with five respondents claiming 1, and three answering 2. But then 15 others each reported a different number, ranging from 3 to 69 by the North American Division. Seven of these claimed 25 or more. Could that be right? Internet Information The question was: AHow many Adventist Internet web sites originate from your territory?@ While four respondents reported none, and five others did not answer the question, the other forty-nine gave answers ranging from 1 (three answers) to 1,000 by one person. That 23

24 may seem extreme, but eight respondents reported 100 or more with four of them over 600 and a 950 to go with the 1,000. These figures may be accurate, but some readers may well be skeptical. At any rate, the top three were 840 from the North Mexican Union Media Center, 950 from the Pacific Union Conference Communication Department, and 1000 from the communication director of the South Pacific Division. Ano@ format. The remaining questions for communications and media center directors were in Ayes@ Do you have a plan that integrates or links the Adventist web sites? Frequency Percentage Not Applicable Yes No Total Most do have a plan. Respondents were then asked whether or not four different ways were used to present Adventist information on the internet in their territories, other than Adventist-sponsored web pages. Social Networks such as YouTube? Frequency Percentage Yes No Total Podcasts? Frequency Percentage Yes No Total Directories? Frequency Percentage Yes No Total Forums? Frequency Percentage Yes No Total While all methods are employed, only social networks are used by the majority of areas. The final internet question was: Do you have a plan designed to increase Adventist presence on the Internet? Frequency Percentage Not Applicable Yes No Total Apparently, we can expect to see increased usage of the internet to spread the Gospel. Questions for the Presidents The web surveys of the division, union, and conference presidents began with the questions on Adventist World and the HOPE CHANNEL that were also included in the pastors= mail survey reported on earlier. While these questions were similar for each presidential category, there were slight differences in the wording, reflecting the differences between local, union, and division situations. Therefore, the results of each office will be 24

25 presented separately in the tables below. The first question about the delivery method for Adventist World was not included on the division presidents= survey and was slightly different for the union and conference presidents. The data from the local conference presidents are presented first. Adventist World Information How does Adventist World (AW) get to the church members in your local conference/mission? [ ] The printer, division, or union mails AW directly to the homes of our members; we are not involved. [ ] We get shipments of AW from the union or division and mail AW directly to the homes of our members. [ ] We get shipments of AW from the union or division and mail AW directly to churches in our territory. [ ] Pastors pick up shipments of AW from our conference/mission office, and they deliver to their churches. [ ] We don=t receive Adventist World magazine in our territory. [ ] Other (specify) Delivery Method Frequency Percent Mailed direct to homesbconference not involved Conference mails to homes Conference mails to churches Pastors deliver to churches Don=t receive AW 7.9 Other Total There were 92 local conference leaders answering. Of these, eight leaders did not check any of the five listed delivery methods but used the option Aother@ and stated another delivery method (see below). Also, five respondents checked two delivery methods at the same time, and two respondents checked three delivery methods at the same time so the frequencies cannot be totaled to get the exact number of respondents. So there are 92 respondents but 101 answers. The most common option is that pastors pick up the shipment from the conference office and deliver to the churches where the members get their copies. AOther@ options were: Adventist News from our Sydney Adventist Media Adventist News and Hope CHANNEL; Division includes it monthly in Record and sends it to churches; We get shipments of AW from the union, then pass it to churches; The SP Division mails directly to churches from the Signs Publishing Company; Printer sends, along with a letter from my office; AW distributed only among conference office staff and pastors, not among church members; We get shipments of AW from division and mail AW to pastors and members; Receive a share from the union and distributed via our pastors for all leaders of our congregations; Delivered only to Mission Office & Institutions 25

26 The question for the union conference/mission presidents was slightly different. How does Adventist World (AW) get to the church members in your union territory? [ ] The printer or division mails AW directly to the homes of our members. [ ] We at the union mail AW directly to the homes of our members. [ ] We send shipments of AW to each conference/field by truck, bus, or carband they deliver to members [ ] Conferences/fields pick up shipments of AW from usbthey deliver to members [ ] Other (specify) Delivery Method Frequency Percent Mailed direct to homesbunions not involved Union mails AW directly to homes Union ships to conferences who deliver to members Conferences pick up AW from unions and deliver Other Total There were 25 union leaders answering. Nine leaders did not check any of the four listed delivery methods. However, they used option Aother@ and stated another delivery method (see below). Also, one respondent checked two delivery methods at the same time, one respondent checked three delivery methods at the same time, and one respondent checked four delivery methods at the same time. So adding the frequencies together does not equal the total number of respondents. There are 25 respondents but 31 answers. It is most likely that unions receive the shipments in overseas fields and distribute them through the conferences or missions. The other choices were as follows: Few in the union are circulated; Publishing house mails AW directly to some members in our three missions and to churches in our two conferences; Shipment from union office to local churches; The Swiss Union sends it to the churches; Union ships bulk to churches where members pick up a copy; We have digital version on our website too; At our union we give AW directly to pastors, and they deliver to church families; We don't receive AW in our union; We send to local churches which deliver to members in church on Sabbath morning; To some countries the AW is sent directly. To many of our countries (we have 14) it is not possible to send religious mail, so the AW is sent in bulk to the union office, and we hand carry it to the different countries. 26

27 This question was followed by a set of seven questions, each of which posed a possible problem and asked to what extent the problem existed in the territory of the respondent. Since the questions for the three presidential offices differed slightly, local, union, and division presidents= answers are presented separately. 27

28 Local Conference/Mission Presidents Too many members in our territory do not receive Adventist World. Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Delivery problems prevent our members from properly receiving Adventist World. Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total We have difficulty getting shipments from the division, or union. Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total We have difficulty getting AW to local pastors and their churches Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Pastors have difficulty distributing AW to churches and members Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me

29 Total Mail service is too expensive or unreliable in our area Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total AW fails to tap the interest levels or reading levels of our members Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total The majority of these conferences presidents are not finding these to be problemsbat least not very serious ones. The biggest issue refers not to delivery difficulties but to the fact that many members do not receive Adventist World. Even here, however, serious problems are reported by only 13%. Union Conference/Mission Presidents Too many members in our territory do not receive Adventist World. Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Delivery problems prevent our members from properly receiving Adventist World. Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem Does not apply to me Total

30 We at the union have difficulty getting shipments from the division or printers. Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem Total Our union has difficulty distributing AW to our conferences and fields Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem Does not apply to me Total Conferences and fields have difficulty getting AW to local pastors and churches Not a problem Somewhat a problem Does not apply to me Total Pastors have difficulty distributing AW to their members in the churches Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem Does not apply to me Total Mail service is too expensive or unreliable in our area Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem Does not apply to me Total

31 AW fails to tap the interest levels or reading levels of our members Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total The majority of union presidents do not see serious problems in the distribution chain either. The only areas where a minority reported Anot a problem@ are that too many of the members do not receive the journal (44%) and the expensive mail services (48%). Division Presidents Too many members in our territory do not receive Adventist World. Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem Does not apply to me Total Delivery problems prevent our members from properly receiving Adventist World. Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem Does not apply to me Total We at the division have difficulty getting shipments of AW from the printers. Not a problem Very much a problem Does not apply to me Total

32 Our unions have difficulty distributing AW to our conferences and fields Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem Does not apply to me Total Conferences and fields have difficulty getting AW to local pastors and churches Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem Does not apply to me Total Pastors have difficulty distributing AW to their members in the churches Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem Does not apply to me Total AW fails to capture the interest levels or reading levels of our members Not a problem Somewhat a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Here we see some variation from the local and union conference presidents. Only a fourth find no problem with too many members in their territory not receiving Adventist World. And only about a third find no problem with delivery problems preventing their members from getting their copies. HOPE TELEVISION CHANNEL Information The section on the HOPE CHANNEL used the same basic approach. Eight possible problems were presented, and respondents were asked to indicate the extent of the problem in their territory. 32

33 Local Conference/Mission Presidents Much of our territory is not included in HOPE CHANNEL coverage. Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total HOPE CHANNEL does not come in the language many of our members understand. Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total HOPE CHANNEL programs fail to capture the interest of our church members. Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Members cannot afford to receive HOPE CHANNEL in their homes. Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total Churches cannot afford downlinks to receive HOPE CHANNEL in their churches. Not a problem Somewhat a problem Very much a problem I don=t know Does not apply to me Total