Religious Context of the Ohio Conference. Monte Sahlin Director of Research & Special Projects

Religious Context of the Ohio Conference Monte Sahlin Director of Research & Special Projects

Belief in God 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Absolutely certain Fairly certain Unsure Do not believe Ohio U.S.A. Source: Pew Religious Landscape Survey

Importance of Religion in My Life 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Very important Somewhat important Not important Not sure Ohio U.S.A. Source: Pew Religious Landscape Survey

Church Attendance 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Weekly Monthly or less Seldom or never Not sure Ohio U.S.A. Source: Pew Religious Landscape Survey

Frequency of Prayer 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Daily At least weekly Monthly Seldom or never Ohio U.S.A. Source: Pew Religious Landscape Survey

Frequency of Answers to Prayer 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% At least once a month Several times a year Seldom or never Do not pray or no answer Ohio U.S.A. Source: Pew Religious Landscape Survey

Literal Interpretation of the Bible 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Word for word Thought is from God Not from God Not sure Ohio U.S.A. Source: Pew Religious Landscape Survey

Interpretation of My Religion 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Only one way More than one way Not sure Ohio U.S.A. Source: Pew Religious Landscape Survey

One True Faith 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% My Religion is the One True Faith Many Religions Can Lead to Eternal Life Not sure Ohio U.S.A. Source: Pew Religious Landscape Survey

Religious Self-identification of Ohio Residents 64% 56% 24% 20% 21% 2% 3% 10% Catholic Protestant Other Religions No religion 1990 2008 Source: American Religious Identification Survey

Involvement with Religion 71% Baptized, Christened, etc. 69% Had a religious wedding Percent of those married 66% Expect to have a religious funeral Source: 2008 American Religious Identification Survey

Denominational Self-identification Catholic Baptist Methodist Lutheran Presbyterian Anglican U.C.C. Nondenominational Evangelical Assembly of God Church of God Church of Christ Adventist JWs LDS 1990 2008 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% Source: American Religious Identification Survey

Seventh-day Adventists in the U.S. 880,921 938,000 1,000,472 668,000 701,781 724,000 1990 2001 2008 ARIS GC Statistics

Percentage of the Population that Attended a Christian Church in Ohio on any Given Weekend in 2005 Evangelical Mainline Catholic Absent Evangelical 8% Mainline 4% Catholic 6% Absent 82% Source: David Olson

5.2% 4.6% 4.2% Ohio Percentage of the Population Attending a Christian Church on Any Given Weekend 25.0% 22.3% 20.0% 20.2% 19.0% 15.0% 10.0% 8.4% 8.3% 8.4% 8.5% 1990 2000 2005 7.1% 6.2% 5.0% 0.0% Evangelical Mainline Catholic Total Source: David Olson

Ohio 2005 Church Attendance by "Denominational Family" Other 22% Baptist 14% Methodist 11% Baptist Methodist Lutheran 5% Lutheran Reformed Pentecostal Catholic 32% Christian 8% Reformed 3% Pentecostal 5% Christian Catholic Other Source: David Olson

Ohio 2004 Average Attendance per Church 900 877 805 799 800 700 600 500 400 1990 2000 2004 300 200 130 133 135 118 114 110 186 179 174 100 - Evangelical Mainline Catholic Total Source: David Olson

Ohio 2004 Population per Church 920 907 900 886 880 860 833 840 820 800 780 1990 2000 2004 Source: David Olson

19.8% Williams 25.2% Fulton 19.9% Lucas 20.7% Ottawa 23.3% 17.4% Lake 17.3% Geauga 17.1% Ashtabula 25.7% Defiance 26.9% Henry 17.2% Wood 19.8% Sandusky 19.8% Erie 18.8% Lorain Cuyahoga 18.3% Trumbull 20.2% Paulding 47.5% Putnam 20.8% Hancock 25.5% Seneca 18.6% Huron 16.2% Medina 22.4% Summit 14.5% Portage 25.7% Mahoning 17.6% Van Wert 37.8% Mercer 21.7% Allen 26.7% Auglaize 23.9% Shelby 19.6% Logan 18.7% Hardin 25.0% Wyandot 17.1% Union 16.8% Marion 25.8% Crawford 13.2% Delaware 12.6% Morrow 22.0% Richland 20.3% Knox 19.0% Ashland 23.9% Wayne 26.5% Holmes 15.5% Coshocton 23.0% 26.3% Stark Tuscarawas 11.6% Carroll 17.3% Harrison 17.4% Columbiana 23.5% Jefferson 27.7% Darke 14.9% Preble 18.5% Butler 24.7% Hamilton 21.4% 21.7% Miami Montgomery 17.3% Warren 0.0% to 16.7% 16.7% to 20.3% 20.3% to 48.5% 15.3% Clermont 12.5% Champaign 17.9% Greene 17.5% 16.4% Clinton 14.6% Clark Brown 19.2% Highland 14.9% Madison 13.8% Fayette 12.7% Adams 17.6% Franklin 12.4% Pickaway 12.4% Ross 9.1% Pike 16.0% Scioto 15.8% Fairfield 10.3% 8.3% Jackson 15.7% Licking 11.2% Hocking Vinton 14.2% Lawrence 11.6% Perry 16.7% Gallia 17.9% Muskingum 12.1% Athens 13.0% Meigs 16.4% Morgan 16.2% Guernsey 17.7% Noble 21.3% Washington 20.4% Belmont 29.8% Monroe Ohio Counties 2000 Percentage of Population at Worship in Christian Churches On any Given Sunday Blue = Lowest Rose = Middle Beige = Highest Source: David Olson

6.3% Van Wert 5.4% Mercer 7.3% 8.6% Williams Preble 10.7% Defiance 7.9% Paulding 16.3% Darke 9.5% Butler 9.5% Hamilton 5.5% Putnam 6.2% Auglaize 5.6% Shelby 7.5% 10.4% Miami Montgomery 0.0% to 6.5% 6.5% to 9.1% 9.1% to 24.9% 13.6% Fulton 11.2% Henry 10.7% Allen 9.4% Warren 7.0% Clermont 4.7% Wood 5.2% Champaign 11.1% 8.1% Lucas 9.5% Greene 9.1% Clinton 9.7% 10.3% 7.9% Hancock Logan Clark Brown 8.0% Hardin 12.9% Highland 4.1% Wyandot 7.9% Union 8.1% Madison 7.4% Fayette 8.0% Adams 2.5% Ottawa 5.2% Sandusky 4.5% Seneca 8.5% Marion 3.0% Delaware 5.7% Pickaway 6.2% Ross 6.5% Pike 8.8% 10.1% Crawford Franklin 11.0% Scioto 6.5% 6.0% Erie Morrow 6.0% Huron 6.9% Fairfield 7.8% 13.5% Richland 7.6% Licking 4.9% 5.1% Hocking Vinton Jackson 9.6% 13.0% Knox Lawrence 9.2% Ashland 3.4% Perry 10.3% Gallia 6.5% Lorain 5.8% 5.9% Medina 6.6% Coshocton 7.2% Muskingum Athens 8.5% Meigs 15.7% Wayne 23.9% Holmes 10.1% Morgan 8.0% Cuyahoga 10.6% Summit 11.6% 6.9% Guernsey 7.9% Noble 8.9% 4.3% Lake 12.2% Stark Tuscarawas Washington 5.4% Geauga 5.0% Portage 4.5% Carroll 4.4% Harrison 6.0% Belmont 18.6% Monroe 5.5% Ashtabula 6.8% Trumbull 9.5% Mahoning 7.8% Columbiana 5.3% Jefferson Ohio Counties 2000 Percentage of Population at Worship in Evangelical Churches on any Given Sunday Blue = Lowest Rose = Middle Beige = Highest Source: David Olson

6.0% 5.3% 6.7% Williams Mercer 5.7% Darke Preble 6.9% Defiance 6.7% Paulding 8.4% Van Wert 3.3% Butler 3.5% Hamilton 4.1% 6.2% Fulton 3.9% Putnam 3.4% Allen 9.2% 6.2% Shelby 8.7% Montgomery 0.0% to 4.5% 4.5% to 6.2% 6.2% to 11.3% 10.1% Henry Auglaize 3.0% Warren 2.0% 2.9% Greene Clermont 2.0% 4.2% Lucas Brown 4.0% Adams 2.3% Pike 3.8% Scioto 2.2% 2.9% Vinton Jackson 2.7% Lawrence 3.0% Lorain 3.5% Meigs 2.2% Holmes Miami 4.5% 8.8% 4.3% Clark 5.0% Madison Franklin Muskingum 4.6% Clinton 6.6% Wood 8.1% Hancock 6.9% Logan 9.0% Hardin 5.8% Champaign 5.1% Highland 5.7% Fayette 9.7% Wyandot 8.1% Union 10.0% Ottawa 6.5% Sandusky 7.7% Seneca 7.0% Marion 4.7% Delaware 5.0% Ross 5.4% 9.2% Crawford Pickaway 5.7% 5.9% Erie Morrow 6.8% Huron 4.9% Richland 5.4% Fairfield 5.5% Knox 5.5% Licking 5.1% Hocking 7.8% Ashland 5.6% Perry 5.3% Gallia 3.8% 4.5% Medina Athens 5.7% Wayne 7.5% Coshocton 5.4% Morgan 3.1% Cuyahoga 3.7% Summit 8.5% 3.0% Noble 6.1% 2.4% Lake Stark Tuscarawas 6.4% Guernsey 7.1% Washington 3.5% Geauga 2.9% Portage 5.0% Carroll 10.3% Harrison 6.4% Belmont 7.6% Monroe 4.6% Ashtabula 4.4% Trumbull 4.5% Mahoning 5.9% Columbiana 5.7% Jefferson Ohio Counties 2000 Percentage of Population at Worship in Mainline Churches On any Given Sunday Blue = Lowest Rose = Middle Beige = Highest Source: David Olson

2.4% 4.5% Williams 5.6% Paulding 3.0% Van Wert 26.5% Preble 8.2% Defiance Mercer 5.6% Darke 5.6% Butler 11.6% Hamilton 5.6% Miami 5.3% Fulton 5.7% Henry 7.6% Allen 11.4% Auglaize 12.2% Shelby 6.9% Montgomery 4.9% Warren 6.3% 0.0% to 2.5% 2.5% to 6.0% 6.0% to 39.1% 38.1% Putnam Clermont 1.3% Champaign 3.9% 2.4% Logan 2.6% Clinton 2.8% 3.6% Greene 7.3% Lucas Clark Brown 6.0% Wood 4.8% Hancock 1.7% Hardin 1.2% Highland 0.7% Fayette 0.6% Adams 11.2% Wyandot 1.2% Union 1.8% Madison 8.2% Ottawa 8.1% Sandusky 13.3% Seneca 1.3% Marion 0.3% Pike 1.2% Pickaway 1.2% 5.6% 4.2% Ross 6.6% Crawford Delaware Franklin 1.3% Scioto 0.4% 7.9% Erie Morrow 5.8% Huron 0.3% 3.5% Richland 3.6% Fairfield 0.5% Vinton Jackson 1.7% Knox 1.1% Hocking 2.0% 2.6% Licking Lawrence 1.1% Ashland 2.7% Perry 1.1% Gallia 9.2% Lorain 1.0% 0.4% Holmes Meigs 2.5% Wayne 1.3% Coshocton 1.9% Muskingum 2.5% 5.8% Medina Athens 1.0% Morgan 11.9% Cuyahoga 7.7% Summit 2.8% Tuscarawas 2.9% Guernsey 6.9% Noble 5.3% 10.7% 7.5% Lake Stark Washington 8.4% Geauga 6.6% Portage 2.1% Carroll 2.5% Harrison 7.9% Belmont 3.6% Monroe 7.1% Ashtabula 6.9% Trumbull 11.0% Mahoning 3.6% Columbiana 12.1% Jefferson Ohio Counties 2000 Percentage of Population at Worship in Catholic Churches On any Given Sunday Blue = Lowest Rose = Middle Beige = Highest Source: David Olson

-17.8% Williams -12.4% Paulding -7.9% -9.0% Defiance -5.6% Van Wert 3.4% Mercer -7.0% Darke Preble -0.1% Butler -8.5% Hamilton Decline Increase 1.6% -8.1% Fulton -14.4% Henry -12.5% Putnam -6.6% Auglaize -5.6% Shelby 2.5% -4.9% Allen Miami Montgomery 16.9% Warren -16.6% Clermont -22.2% Champaign -4.9% Greene -15.0% Clinton -38.4% -7.3% Brown Lucas -3.8% -9.5% Hancock Logan 1.9% Clark -8.8% Wood -7.9% Hardin -21.2% Highland -17.4% Madison -5.7% -13.6% Ottawa -7.6% Sandusky -12.4% Pike -10.8% Erie -11.6% Huron -14.3% Hocking -23.3% Vinton -29.7% Perry -18.3% Meigs -17.4% Medina -15.0% Wayne -17.0% Muskingum -33.4% Morgan -10.9% Summit -20.2% Guernsey -28.9% Noble -14.5% Belmont -19.3% Ashtabula -16.2% Columbiana Richland -13.1% -39.7% -27.4% -2.7% Marion Holmes Carroll -12.6% Morrow -16.2% Jefferson -5.2% Tuscarawas Knox -11.5% -10.4% -15.6% 7.0% Union Coshocton Delaware Harrison 23.0% Fayette Adams -3.4% Wyandot -4.4% Seneca -10.6% Franklin -3.2% -10.2% Ross 3.1% Crawford Pickaway -7.5% Scioto 1.9% -10.5% 9.7% Fairfield Jackson -8.3% Licking 13.0% Lawrence -9.1% Ashland 11.1% Gallia -2.2% Lorain -2.6% Athens -7.2% Cuyahoga -1.8% -7.9% 0.2% Lake Stark Washington -6.0% Geauga -5.3% Portage -11.5% Monroe -7.2% Trumbull -7.4% Mahoning Ohio Counties 1990-2000 Growth or Decline in Percentage of the Population at Worship in Christian Churches On any Given Sunday Blue = Decline Rose = Growth Source: David Olson

-19.6% Williams -7.6% Preble -3.4% Defiance -7.4% Paulding 0.0% Van Wert 18.1% Mercer -0.5% Darke 8.3% Butler 5.4% Hamilton 8.0% Decline Increase 3.8% -5.8% Henry -3.2% Allen Miami 2.1% Montgomery Fulton 17.9% Putnam 37.7% Auglaize 22.4% Shelby 27.1% Warren -22.7% Clermont -19.0% Champaign 0.1% -2.5% Greene -12.7% Clinton -26.3% 7.8% Lucas Brown -11.0% Hancock 2.5% Logan Clark -3.6% Wood -0.4% Hardin -20.1% Highland -20.2% Madison 0.9% Adams 4.1% Union 98.9% Fayette 11.1% Wyandot -31.6% Ottawa 11.8% Sandusky 7.6% Seneca 9.1% Marion -27.0% Delaware -7.1% Ross -18.9% Pike -4.3% 31.6% Crawford Franklin 5.2% Pickaway -2.0% Scioto 23.6% 1.3% Erie Morrow 3.2% Huron 18.9% Fairfield 28.5% 38.9% Richland -5.9% Hocking -19.0% Vinton Jackson 3.8% Knox 11.2% Licking 33.3% Lawrence -1.7% Ashland -20.4% Perry 15.6% Gallia 0.5% Lorain -9.3% Meigs -16.3% Wayne -40.3% Holmes -3.0% Muskingum -5.2% 3.3% Medina 12.6% Coshocton Athens -38.7% Morgan 3.5% Cuyahoga -17.0% Summit -3.5% Tuscarawas -16.3% Guernsey -31.0% Noble 8.3% -4.2% Lake 18.1% Stark Washington -36.4% Geauga -5.4% Portage -8.2% Carroll -22.8% Harrison 2.8% Belmont -7.3% Monroe -15.1% Ashtabula 8.9% Trumbull 6.7% Mahoning -13.5% Columbiana -23.2% Jefferson Ohio Counties 1990-2000 Growth or Decline in Percentage of the Population at Worship in Evangelical Churches On any Given Sunday Blue = Decline Rose = Growth Source: David Olson

-18.7% Williams -18.2% Darke -14.4% Preble -14.0% Defiance -12.0% Paulding -13.7% Van Wert -10.0% Mercer -8.6% Butler -10.1% Hamilton -22.9% Fulton -21.9% Henry -16.2% Shelby -2.5% Decline Increase -12.6% Allen -12.0% Auglaize 9.5% -10.1% Putnam Miami Montgomery -22.6% Warren -11.1% Clermont -22.4% Clinton -36.5% Brown -14.5% Hardin -13.0% Champaign -12.1% Greene -10.1% Lucas -12.5% Hancock -10.0% Logan -7.6% Clark -10.3% Wood -15.3% Highland -22.6% -9.6% Fayette -9.5% Adams -3.5% Wyandot Union -4.7% Madison -3.6% Ottawa -13.1% Sandusky -10.4% Seneca -18.8% Marion -26.7% Delaware -10.9% Pickaway -9.9% Ross -9.1% Pike -8.1% -7.6% Crawford Franklin -11.9% Scioto -20.1% -10.5% Erie Morrow -11.2% Huron -19.9% Fairfield -48.8% -16.0% Richland -27.7% Vinton Jackson -17.2% Knox -21.6% Licking -23.1% -11.6% Hocking Lawrence -11.4% Ashland -19.9% Perry 5.9% Gallia -17.2% Lorain -36.3% Meigs -12.7% Medina -16.5% Wayne -31.9% Holmes -14.4% Coshocton -5.3% Muskingum -10.3% Athens -19.9% Morgan -9.3% Cuyahoga -15.8% Summit -21.3% Tuscarawas -32.0% -15.5% Noble Stark -12.5% Guernsey -14.0% -14.0% Lake Washington -0.2% Geauga -11.7% Portage -15.4% Carroll -19.3% Harrison -15.0% Belmont -20.6% Monroe -12.4% Ashtabula -11.2% Trumbull -10.8% Mahoning -13.9% Columbiana -4.3% Jefferson Ohio Counties 1990-2000 Growth or Decline in Percentage of the Population at Worship in Mainline Churches On any Given Sunday Blue = Decline Rose = Growth Source: David Olson

-12.5% Williams -11.5% Defiance -19.2% Paulding 10.2% Van Wert 4.2% Mercer -11.4% Darke 8.5% Preble -7.1% Butler -17.1% Hamilton Decline Increase -4.7% -10.6% Fulton -15.9% Putnam -17.0% Auglaize -9.4% Shelby -8.3% Miami Montgomery -15.4% Henry -3.4% Allen 39.4% Warren -10.4% Clermont -52.0% Champaign -12.0% Greene -61.2% -18.7% Lucas -9.7% Brown Logan -11.2% Clark -7.9% Clinton -11.0% Wood -1.3% Hancock -2.5% Hardin -45.5% Highland -32.1% Madison -41.7% Fayette -39.7% Adams -7.7% Wyandot -14.2% Union -17.5% Ottawa -13.0% Sandusky -4.2% Seneca -55.2% Marion -23.3% Franklin -24.0% Ross -49.8% Pike -11.9% Crawford 191.7% Delaware -5.4% Pickaway -30.2% Scioto -27.1% -18.4% Erie Morrow -23.4% Huron -73.4% -20.5% Richland 17.6% Fairfield Jackson -20.0% Knox -20.3% Licking -45.6% Hocking -34.3% Vinton 3.2% Lawrence -36.3% Ashland -49.8% Perry -1.8% Gallia 2.1% Lorain -33.8% Medina -38.4% Holmes -48.8% Coshocton -60.2% Muskingum 20.4% Athens -3.6% Meigs -1.2% Wayne -36.5% Morgan -13.1% Cuyahoga 2.2% Summit -37.2% Tuscarawas -38.9% Guernsey -24.6% Noble 1.9% -8.0% -8.4% Lake Stark Washington 30.5% Geauga -2.1% Portage -60.1% Carroll 29.8% Harrison -24.3% Belmont -10.5% Monroe -26.0% Ashtabula -17.4% Trumbull -16.1% Mahoning -24.6% Columbiana -11.6% Jefferson Ohio Counties 1990-2000 Growth or Decline in Percentage of the Population at Worship in Catholic Churches On any Given Sunday Blue = Decline Rose = Growth Source: David Olson

Jewish Population by Region Source: 2005 Survey of Jewish Identity

Jews who Practice the Religion 28% 27% 21% Light Shabbat candles* Attend synagogue once/month or more* Keep kosher at home* Source: 2002 National Jewish Survey

Forty percent of American Jewish households * belong to synagogues.* Among these households, the denominational distribution is shown below: Reconstructionist 3% Orthodox 21% Other 4% Reform 39% Conservative 33% Source: 2002 National Jewish Survey * These households contain 46% of American Jewish adults.

Jewish children today receive more full-time Jewish schooling than did Jewish adults.* 29% 39% 24% 32% Adults Children 25% 27% 21% 12% Jewish day school/yeshiva Part-time Jewish school that met more than once a week One day per week Jewish program No Jewish education Source: 2002 National Jewish Survey

Buddhists in Ohio 48 centers identified by Melton & Jones, 2009 At an average total number of participants of 100 to 250, that would mean there are about 5,000 to 12,500 active Buddhists in the state of Ohio

Households Involved with Faith Not 35% Strongly 35% Somewhat 30% Source: Percept Group, Inc.

Households Where Faith Involvement in the Last 10 Years Decreased 24% Increased 22% Did not change 54% Source: Percept Group. Inc.

Human Needs in the U.S. 24% - Jobs, education, career, wealth 21% - Health, health care, poverty 18% - Spiritual, religious 17% - Family life, relationships 16% - Community development Research by Percept Group, Inc. Based on 31 specific needs/questions in the survey Source: Percept Group, Inc.

Spiritual/religious Needs 30% - Dealing with stress, anxiety, worry 17% - Finding friends 15% - Finding a good church 14% - Finding a life direction/purpose 13% - Finding spiritual teaching 22% - Achieving a fulfilling marriage 15% - Developing parenting skills Source: Percept Group, Inc.

Top Needs 51% - Long-term financial security 44% - Maintaining personal health 32% - Day-to-day financial situations 30% - Dealing with stress 29% - Finding health insurance 27% - Neighborhood safety (crime) Source: Percept Group, Inc.

Who should be the primary provider of human welfare services? 50% 63% Government agencies Churches & faith-based agencies Source: Percept Group, Inc.

Church Program Preferences Bible study groups Family activities Youth activities Senior activities Doctrinal classes Counseling services Music, drama, art Care for terminally ill Marriage enrichment 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% Source: Percept Group, Inc.

Church Program Preferences Spiritual retreats Basic social work Parenting classes Camping, sports Day care Church schools 12-step program Divorce recovery 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% Source: Percept Group, Inc.

Worship Style Preferences 39% 26% 26% 26% 20% 11% Emotionally uplifting Intellectually challenging Both Traditional, formal, liturgical Contemporary, informal Both Source: Percept Group, Inc.

Worship Style Preferences 39% 26% 26% 26% 20% 11% Emotionally uplifting Intellectually challenging Both Traditional, formal, liturgical Contemporary, informal Both Source: Percept Group, Inc.

Church Music Preferences 31% 32% 24% 20% 19% 23% Traditional Contemporary Both Performed Participatory Both Source: Percept Group, Inc.

Missional Emphasis Preferences 37% 33% 30% 22% 14% 6% Communitycentered Individualfocused Both World Local Both Source: Percept Group, Inc.

Church Architecture Preferences 27% 32% 35% 28% 16% 9% Traditional Contemporary Both Somber, serious Light and airy Both Source: Percept Group, Inc.

Media Sources for Information Television Radio Local newspaper National newspaper Magazines 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Secondary source Primary source Source: Percept Group, Inc.

Media for Contact by a Church Direct mail Radio spots Newspaper ad Cable TV Visit by appointment Door to door Telemarketing Telephone visits Bad Good 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Source: Percept Group, Inc.

Relative to Childhood Religion Changed faith 44% Not changed 47% Left & returned 9% Source: 2009 Faith in Flux Survey

Americans Who Changed Religion 15% 5% 4% 7% 4% Raised Catholic Raised Protestant Raised "None" Now Protestant Now "None" Source: 2009 Faith in Flux Survey

Americans Who Changed Religion 79% 85% Under age 24 Age 24 to 35 18% 3% 11% 4% Over age 35 Raised Catholic & now "None" Raised Protestant & now "None" Source: 2009 Faith in Flux Survey

Reasons for Changing Childhood Religion 71% 71% 71% 65% 54% 51% 50% 50% 40% 43% 39% 36% 15% 18% 27% 25% Gradually drifted away Spiritual needs not met Stopped believing in doctrines Dissatisfied with pastor/church Raised Catholic Now Protestant Raised Catholic Now Nones Raised Protestant Now Different Raised Protestant Now Nones Source: 2009 Faith in Flux Survey

Summary The largest segment of the Ohio population is unchurched. Church attendance is relatively low and there is a decline in attenders. The fastest growing religious segment in Ohio is the Nones (no religion). The only denominational categories that are growing: nondenominational and generic Evangelical

Summary Southern Ohio is in one of the most unchurched regions of America; Appalachia. A large number in Ohio are inactive in the religion they identify with, nominals. Consumer religion is widespread among even the active church members. It has made significant in-roads in Adventism.

Strategic Questions What segments of the population are we reaching? and not reaching? What more can we do to encourage fresh expressions of outreach, evangelism and church? Are we looking for church members who are willing to participate in experiments with fresh expressions?

What Next? What topics do you need more information about? What would you like to experiment with? What can I do to be helpful?

Monte Sahlin montessahlin@gmail.com 2009, Ohio Conference and Center for Creative Ministry