Survey of Church Members. Minnesota Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church 2006 Center for Creative Ministry

Transcription

1 Survey of Church Members Minnesota Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church 2006 Center for Creative Ministry

2 Source of Data o A random sample of 34 local churches was selected and telephone interviews conducted with the pastors to determine typical attendance. o A total of 29 churches returned questionnaires for a response rate of 85% which indicates that this is reliable data.

3 o Questionnaires were distributed to church attenders on several Sabbaths in the spring of 2006 and collected before they left. o A total of 783 usable questionnaires were returned. At the 95 % confidence level, the sampling error is four percentage points, plus or minus.

4 o Comparisons with data for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America come principally from Giving Practices and Attitudes (1995) as well as more recent surveys. o Comparisons with data for the general population of the State of Minnesota come from the U.S. Census.

5 o Conducted for the Minnesota Conference by the Center for Creative Ministry n Paul Richardson, executive director n Carmen Rusu, research coordinator n Jan Greve and Norma Sahlin, research assistants n Monte Sahlin, analyst

6 Contents o Demographics of Minnesota Conference church members o Church Involvement and Outreach o Focus on Giving Practices and Attitudes

7 Demographics of Members

8 Age by Generation 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% WW II Swing Baby Boom Gen X Millennial Adventists State of Minnesota

9 Gender 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Men Adventists Women State of Minnesota

10 Ethnicity (self-identified) 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Asian & Pacific Islander Black Hispanic White Other Adventists State of Minnesota

11 Immigrant Status 100% 95% 90% 80% 77% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 19% 10% 0% Yes 5% Adventists No State of Minnesota

12 Marital Status 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Married Divorced or Separated Widowed Never Married Adventists State of Minnesota

13 Level of Education 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% No secondary diploma Secondary diploma College degree Graduate degree Adventists State of Minnesota

14 Annual Household Income 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Under $10,000 $10,000- $19,999 $20,000- $29,999 $30,000- $49,999 $50,000- $74,999 $75,000 or more Adventists State of Minnesota

15 Church Involvement and Outreach

16 Tenure as a Baptized Adventist 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Not a member Less than a year One to five years Six to 20 years Over 20 years Minnesota North America

17 Raised by Adventist Parent(s) 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Yes Minnesota No North America

18 Church Attendance 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% One or two out of four Sabbaths Thee out of four Sabbaths Minnesota North America Four out of four Sabbaths

19 Church Involvement Hold a church office Attend a SS class In a small group Gave a Bible study* Attended training* 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% North America Minnesota *Within the last year

20 Spirituality: Assurance of Eternal Life 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Not sure Minnesota Certain North America

21 How Far is Your Home from Your Local Church? Different County 28% Same Zip Code 36% Same County 27% Same City 9%

22 How Far is Your Home from Your Local Church? 36% 37% 26% 27% 28% 22% 14% 9% Same Zip Code Same City Same County Different County Minnesota North America

23 Observed to be Most Effective Methods to Bring in New Members Friendship Evangelism* Public evangelism Media ministries Small groups Community service Health/Family seminars Bible studies 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% North America Minnesota *Personal contact by relatives, work associates, acquaintances

24 2 - Observed to be Most Effective Methods to Bring in New Members Friendship Evangelism* Revelation Seminar Public concerts Youth ministry Children's ministry Door-to-door contacts Literature 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% North America Minnesota *Personal contact by relatives, work associates and acquaintances

25 How well known or visible is the Adventist Church in this area? Not known & never in media Somewhat known & occasionally in media Well known & often in media 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Minnesota North America

26 Focus on Giving Practices and Attitudes

27 Attitudes about Tithing Important for a Christian to tithe Should be paid thru local church 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Minnesota North America

28 Attitude: How the Adventist Denomination Handles Money Church leaders use money wisely Funds are distributed fairly 54% 56% 58% 60% 62% 64% 66% 68% 70% Minnesota North America

29 Approve of How Money is Spent By local church By Conference By the Union By the NAD By the GC 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Minnesota North America

30 How do you calculate your tithe? 60% 44% 40% 32% 9% 7% 4% 3% Before taxes After taxes After major expenses Do not tithe Minnesota North America

31 Generational differences in how tithe is calculated 49% 57% 51% 53% 43% 35% 39% 35% WWII Swing Boomers Gen X Before taxes After taxes

32 What percent of your income did you give to offerings last year? Ten or more 17% Less than one 21% Five to nine 23% One to four 39%

33 What percent of your income did you give to offerings last year? 39% 34% 30% 21% 23% 24% 17% 12% Less than one percent One to four percent Five to nine percent Ten percent or more Minnesota North America

34 Giving Styles Intentional Reactive Habitual Don't give 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% Minnesota North America

35 How do you give to world missions? Other 20% Special offerings 30% During SS 24% Envelope 26%

36 How do you give to world missions? 46% 30% 19% 27% 26% 24% 20% 8% Special Offerings In Tithe Envelope During Sabbath School Other ways Minnesota North America

37 During the last year, I have given some of my tithe to 41% 41% 28% 23% 20% 17% 16% 14% 19% 21% 12% 10% 15% 16% 12% 9% Local church Worthy student* Another conference Adventist media ministry Adventist school Public evangelism* Independent ministries Non- Adventist charity Other Minnesota North America

38 What is Appropriate Use of Tithe? Support of pastors Church planting Salary of teachers Local outreach Conference office staff Adventist schools Summer camps Local church staff Conference equipment Local church equipment 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Tithe Tithe or non-tithe

39 What is Appropriate Use of Tithe? Support of pastors Church planting Salary of teachers Local outreach Conference office staff Adventist schools Summer camps Local church staff Conference equipment Local church equipment 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Tithe Tithe or non-tithe Non-tithe Don't know

40 What is Appropriate Use of Tithe? Support of pastors Salary of teachers Conference office staff Adventist schools Local church staff Summer camps Conference equipment Local church equipment 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% North America Minnesota

41 What Influences Giving Best? Know how money is spent Church in financial crisis Letter from student missionary Local mission projects Factual presentation of needs Overseas project options Mission Spotlight or video A moving offering appeal Public appeal by the pastor Informative bulletin insert 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Very effective Some influence

42 What Influences Giving Least? Know how money is spent Percent of tithe to local church Sermon on stewardship Stewardship visit in home Direct mail appeal letter Special offering envelopes Video by conference president 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Very effective Some influence

43 What Influences Giving? Knowing how money is spent Church in financial crisis Factual presentation of needs Specific mission projects A moving offering appeal Public appeal by the pastor Informative bulletin insert Percent of tithe to local church Sermon on stewardship Stewardship visit in home Direct mail appeal letter Special offering envelopes 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% North America Minnesota

44 o 2006, Center for Creative Ministry and Minnesota Conference