Greater New York Survey of Members Conducted for the Greater New York Conference of the Seventhday Adventist Church by the Center for Creative Ministry
Source of Data n Questionnaires were distributed in a random sample of local churches in each major ethnic group. n A total of 804 usable questionnaires were returned, for a 45 percent response rate based on the pastors estimate of typical Sabbath attendance. This is well within professional standards for survey research. n At the 95 th percentile of reliability, the standard allowance for sampling error is four percentage points, plus or minus. n Comparative data is from the previously submitted demographic study, Adventist Congregations Today and the Faith Communities Today survey of all religions in America.
Church Attenders Not 6% Adventist Church member 94%
Gender 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Men Adventists General population Women
Age by Generation 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% WW II Swing Baby Boom GenX Millennial Adventists General population
Occupation 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Professional & managerial Clerical & sales Adventists Service Blue Collar Other* General population *Includes the informal economy, unemployed, etc.
Education 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% No secondary diploma Secondary diploma College degree Adventists General population
Marital Status 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Married Never married Divorced & single Separated Widowed Adventists General population
Ethnicity 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Asian Black Hispanic White Others Adventists General population
Citizenship at Birth 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% U.S. citizen Adventists General population Foreign born
How did you join this local church? Member elsewhere 8% Not SDA 5% Transfer 35% Baptism or Profession of Faith 52%
Religious Background Adult Convert 50% Raised as an Adventist 50%
Tenure as an Adventist 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Less than six years Six to ten years 11 to 20 years Over 20 years Greater NY members North America
Church Attendance 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% One or two out of last four weeks Three or four out of last four weeks Greater NY members North America
Church Involvement 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Attends a SS class Holds a church office Participates in a small group Attended training Gave Bible studies Greater NY members North America
How far is your home from the local church you attend? 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Same Zip Code (neighborhood) Different Zip, same borough or town Different borough, but within NYC Different county Greater NY members North America
Assurance of Salvation 80% 70% 60% 50% 74% 68% 40% 30% 20% 10% 26% 32% 0% Certain or very certain Greater NY members Not certain North America
How often do you have conversations with co-workers about their personal or family needs or spiritual topics? 27% 32% 25% 16% Almost daily Once a week Once in a while Never
Place of Work An office of some kind A factory or workshop Retail store, restaurant, etc. Health, education or SW agency Outside or driving Variety of locales Other location 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Members who Have Brought New People Into the Church in the Last Three Years 18% 16% 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% One person Two to five people Six to 10 people More than 10 people Greater NY members North America
Would you describe your local congregation as? Warm and friendly Involves new members High church standards A soul-winning church 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Yes Uncertain No
Strengths of Local Churches Pastor's leadership Adult SS Children's SS Mid-week Meeting Visits by elders Personal evangelism 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Excellent Uncertain Poor
Weaknesses of Local Churches Women's ministries Community service Public evangelism Transport access Small groups Pathfinder Club Church buildings 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Excellent Uncertain Poor
Evaluation of Worship Sermons Singing Special music Greeters, etc. Children's story Order of service Organ Choir 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Excellent Uncertain Poor
Is there a need for new ministries in your local church? No 40% Yes 60%
What new ministries does your local church need? Pathfinder Club Teen/Young adult group Community Service Center Children's ministries Music ministry/praise team Member care/reclaiming Health ministries Family ministries Others 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
What have you observed to be the most effective method for bringing in new members? (Part 1) Friendship Evangelism Public evangelism Small groups Community service Bible studies Music concerts 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% North America Greater NY members
What have you observed to be the most effective method for bringing in new members? (Part 2) Friendship Evangelism Health & Family seminars Door-to-door contacts Youth ministry Literature TV & radio ministry Revelation Seminars Children's ministries 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% North America Greater NY members
How visible is the Adventist Church in New York City? 36% 37% 44% 42% 19% 21% Very well known and often visible Somewhat known, occasionally visible Not well known and almost never visible Greater NY members Adventists in other Northeast cities
What people groups are we not reaching or caring for? None or no answer 82% Unspecified "Yes" 10% New generations The elderly members The poor, homeless, addicts, etc. New and inactive members Others* 2% 2% 1% 1% 2% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% *Includes "educated people, disabled, the community" and others
Center for Creative Ministry Project Team n Paul Richardson, executive director n Carmen Rusu, project coordinator n Miriam Pottinger, research assistant n Petr Cincala, data processing www.creativeministry.org 800.272.4664 2008, Center for Creative Ministry and Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists