Survey of Members A report by Monte Sahlin Senior Consultant Center for Creative Ministry August 2012 Source of Data A standard questionnaire was distributed during worship on Sabbaths in early 2012. A total of 39 usable questionnaires were returned which represents a majority of the average attendance, a very good response rate well within minimum professional standards which indicates a reliable sample. 1
Age by Generation 31% 29% 26% 28% 18% 20% 13% 14% Seniors Baby Boomers Gen X Millennials Congregation City of Glendora Gender 44% 48% 56% 52% Men Congregation Women City of Glendora 2
Annual Household Income 47% 40% 26% 17% 24% 18% 18% 7% 0% 3% Under $25,000 $25,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 to $99,999 $100,000 or more Congregation City of Glendora Education 46% 50% 46% 19% 11% 10% 3% 3% No secondary diploma Secondary diploma College degree Graduate degree Congregation City of Glendora 3
Marital Status 49% 48% 28% 32% 8% 11% 5% 2% 10% 10% Married Never married Divorced Separated Widowed Congregation City of Glendora Ethnicity 54% 49% 33% 31% 8% 8% 5% 3% 0% 9% Asian Black Hispanic White Others Congregation City of Glendora 4
Immigrants 35% 15% Congregation City of Glendora Attendance Pattern 82% 72% 0% 11% 3% 7% 15% 9% None One out of the last four Two out of the last four Three or four US Adventists 5
Church Membership Adventist Church member 100% Tenure as a Baptized Adventist 71% 45% 21% 7% 8% 8% 26% 14% Less than five years Five to 10 years 11 to 20 years More than 20 years US Adventists 6
Raised by Adventist Parents 50% 51% 50% 49% Yes No US Adventists How much does worship at this church help you with everyday life? Not much 6% Greatly 46% Some 51% 7
How much have you grown in your faith in the last year? 70% U.S. Adventists 29% 23% 24% 37% Through this church 5% 7% 0% Through another group Through private activities -----------Much Growth----------- Some growth 0% 5% No real growth Assurance of Eternal Life 97% 88% 3% 12% Certain or very certain Not certain North American Adventists 8
Conversations with Coworkers about their Personal or Family Needs or Spiritual Topics 39% 25% 29% 22% 32% 35% 18% Almost daily Once a week Once in a while US Adventists 0% Never Church Involvement 68% 57% 65% 75% 65% 38% 19% 27% Has a volunteer role Attends SS class Participates in a small group Gave Bible studies US Adventists 9
Has anyone asked you personally to volunteer time in the last year? No 11% Yes 89% How Do You Calculate Tithe? Other 4% Do not tithe 8% Before taxes 10% After taxes 72% 10
Giving Styles 26% 27% 36% 38% 38% 35% Habitual Intentional Reactive US Adventists Evaluation of Sermons Bible content Encouraging witnessing Relevance to everyday life Stimulating thought Encouraging spiritual growth Addressing social problems 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Do very well Fairly well Not at all 11
Perceptions of Glendora SDA Church This church is warm & friendly This church is graceoriented Activities strengthen personal relationships Programs are well organized People are excited about the future New people are easily assimilated Has a clear sense of mission 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Yes Not sure No Strong sense of belonging to Glendora SDA Church 59% 50% 41% 22% 10% 4% 4% 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 12
Involvement in making important decisions 56% 31% 24% 24% 21% 24% 8% 5% 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 Overall Evaluation Worship Parking Pastoral leadership Children's ministries Small groups Help for individuals Youth group Evangelism Church board Community service 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Excellent Uncertain Poor 13
How far is your home from Glendora SDA Church? 31% 35% 38% 33% 31% 23% 9% 0% Same Zip Code In Glendora, different Zip In L.A. County Outside L.A. County U.S. Adventists Do you belong to a service club or civic group? Yes 26% No 74% 14
Observed to be Most Effective Methods in Bringing in New Members Small groups 15% 62% Public evangelism 24% 54% Literature Personal contact 4% 33% 31% 51% The media ministries 15% 9% Health outreach 5% 15% Youth/child ministry 13% 8% US Adventists Observed to be Most Effective Methods in Bringing in New Members Personal contact 31% 51% Music concerts Door to door Bible studies 8% 8% 8% 4% 5% 15% Community service Revelation seminar Family life seminars 5% 3% 0% 0% 10% 13% US Adventists 15
Community Needs that Glendora SDA Church Should Address Family life 3% Religious needs 5% No answer 92% Members Willing to Help with 85% Health education classes 69% Operate a thrift store 67% Help people find jobs 51% Family counseling services 46% Disaster response team 41% Twelve-step group for addicts 36% Stress management seminar 33% Health screening events 26% Parenting classes 13% Job training classes 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: Community 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 Community assessment Community visibility Community service Friendship Evangelism Discipleship Program 18
Discussion Questions How well known and visible is Glendora SDA Church in the local community? What has been done to plow the ground in Glendora 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? To Contact Monte Sahlin montessahlin@gmail.com (937) 748-9075 (c) 2012, Bradford-Cleveland-Brooks Leadership Center 19