Survey of Members Midland SDA Church Survey Report prepared by the Bradford-Cleveland-Brooks Center Oakwood University April 2012 Source of Data A standard questionnaire was distributed to the members of the Midland Seventh-day Adventist Church in February and March 2012. A total of 49 usable questionnaires were returned which represents 75% of average attendance on Sabbath a very good response rate well within minimum professional standards thus indicating a reliable sample. 1
Age by Generation 33% 25% 26% 28% 28% 16% 12% 8% Seniors Baby Boomers Gen X Millennials Congregation Gender 56% 48% 44% 52% Men Women Congregation 2
Annual Household Income 37% 27% 24% 22% 22% 17% 17% 17% 7% 11% Under $25,000 $25,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 to $99,999 $100,000 or more Congregation Education 51% 11% 6% 27% 30% 25% 33% 18% No secondary diploma Secondary diploma College degree Graduate degree Congregation 3
Marital Status 72% 52% 30% 17% 4% 11% 0% 1% 7% 6% Married Never married Divorced Separated Widowed Congregation Ethnicity 79% 89% 2% 4% 9% 3% 2% 2% 7% 2% Asian Black Hispanic White Others Congregation 4
Immigrants 16% 5% Congregation Attendance Pattern 83% 72% 2% 11% 2% 7% 13% 9% None One out of the last four Two out of the last four Three or four US Adventists 5
Church Membership Not 4% Adventist Church member 96% Tenure as a Baptized Adventist 63% 71% 19% 7% 10% 8% 4% 14% Five years or less Six to ten years 11 to 20 years More than 20 years US Adventists 6
Raised by Adventist Parents 60% 51% 40% 49% Yes No US Adventists How much does worship at this church help you with everyday life? Not much 10% Greatly 46% Some 44% 7
How much have you grown in your faith in the last year? U.S. Adventists 38% 37% 27% 29% 13% 7% 23% 17% 6% 5% Through this church Through another group Through private activities -----------Much Growth----------- Some growth No real growth Assurance of Eternal Life 87% 88% 13% 12% Certain or very certain Not certain North American Adventists 8
Conversations with Coworkers about their Personal or Family Needs or Spiritual Topics 36% 35% 33% 25% 24% 22% 18% 7% Almost daily Once a week Once in a while US Adventists Never Church Involvement 85% 88% 75% 57% 33% 38% 29% 27% Has a volunteer role Attends SS class Participates in a small group Gave Bible studies US Adventists 9
How Do You Calculate Tithe? Other 2% Do not tithe 6% After taxes 45% Before taxes 66% Giving Styles 59% 27% 38% 35% 28% 13% Habitual Intentional Reactive US Adventists 10
Evaluation of Sermons Bible content Encouraging spiritual growth Encouraging witnessing Stimulating thought Relevance to everyday life Addressing social problems 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Do very well Fairly well Not at all Perceptions of Midland SDA Church Programs are well organized This church is warm & friendly Has a clear sense of mission This church is graceoriented Activities strengthen personal relationships New people are easily assimilated Members are excited about the future 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Yes Not sure No 11
Strong sense of belonging to Midland SDA Church 50% 51% 31% 22% 10% 10% 4% 0% 4% 4% 2% 5% Yes and growing Yes, but the same Yes, but less so No, but I am new No, wish I did No, that is OK U.S. Adventists Involvement in making important decisions 42% 24% 29% 24% 21% 20% 24% 7% 2% 6% Given opportunity & often participate Given opportunity & occasionally participate Given opportunity, but do not participate Not given opportunity, but that is OK Not given opportunity & unhappy U.S. Adventists 12
Overall Evaluation Parking service Church board Help for individuals Pastoral leadership Children's ministries Evangelism Small groups Youth group 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Excellent Uncertain Poor How far is your home from Midland SDA Church? 34% 35% 33% 26% 21% 23% 19% 9% Same Zip Code In Midland, different Zip In the same county Outside the county U.S. Adventists 13
Do you belong to a service club or civic group? Yes 9% No 91% Observed to be Most Effective Methods in Bringing in New Members Personal contact 39% 51% Bible studies Public evangelism Small groups 15% 15% 29% 27% 24% 22% service 10% 20% Health outreach 5% 20% Youth/child ministry 12% 13% US Adventists 14
Observed to be Most Effective Methods in Bringing in New Members Personal contact 39% 51% Revelation Seminar The media ministries Music concerts 6% 6% 9% 6% 8% 13% Family life seminar 0% 6% Door to door Literature 2% 4% 2% 4% US Adventists Needs that Midland SDA Church Should Address Poverty/jobs 12% Health 6% Youth needs 4% No answer 60% Religious needs 12% 15
Midland SDA Church Members Willing to Help with 29% Health education classes 27% Stress management seminar 24% Weight reduction group 20% Health screening events 20% Start a free medical clinic 18% Family counseling services 16% After-school tutoring program Midland SDA Church Members Willing to Help with 14% Disaster response team 14% Twelve-step group for addicts 14% Diabetes support group 12% Start a homeless shelter 12% Help people find jobs 12% Operate a thrift store 10% Parenting class 10% Job training classes 6% Drop-in center for youth 16
Theory of Congregational Life Span from Research Plateau for 25-40 years Early Growth First 25-40 years Slow decline over 50 years Analysis Research has shown that growth in Adventist churches comes from: involvement Rich spirituality Intentionality (goals, planning) Positive atmosphere in the congregation Activities for the unchurched on Sabbaths 17
The Adventist Paradigm for Outreach & Evangelism Christ s method alone will give true success in reaching people. He mingled with men as one who desired their good, showed sympathy for them and ministered to their needs. He won their confidence. Then, He bade them, Follow me. Ellen White, The Ministry of Healing, p 143 Christ s Method assessment visibility service Friendship Evangelism Discipleship Program 18
Discussion Questions How well known and visible is the Midland Church in the community? What has been done to plow the ground in Midland through serving the needs of the community? What relationships do church members have in the community that can be a bridge to possible candidates for Bible studies? 19