Merrimack Valley Community Assessment A report by Elder Monte Sahlin Center for Creative Ministry August 9, 2011 Who is Monte Sahlin? An ordained Seventh-day Adventist minister for 40 years who has done assessments of more than 1,000 local churches. He is currently employed by the Ohio Conference after spending two decades at the General Conference and union conference directing R&D. He teaches in the Doctor of Ministry program at Andrews University and the urban studies program at Eastern University. He is the author of 20 books, 75 research reports and many articles. In 1974-77 he was director of Boston Urban Ministries. 1
What is the Center for Creative Ministry? One of the research and information centers affiliated with the North American Division. It provides information, resource materials, training and consultants to help local churches develop new approaches to outreach, evangelism and church growth. It provides the Sharing Scripture small group Bible study guides, Friend2Friend training videos and other materials. Goals of this Study Profile the demographics and religion of Lowell and the Merrimack Valley. Provide a community needs assessment. Put information on the table for planning and mission strategy development. 2
The Merrimack Valley & Lowell as a Mission Field Lowell is a satellite city at the edge of the Boston metropolitan region. 306,500 residents in 101,000 households Middlesex County has one Adventist for each 682 residents USA: 1 to 294 New Guinea: 1 to 27 Zambia: 1 to 19 Jamaica: 1 to 11 Belize: 1 to 10 Antigua: 1 to 8 Lawrence Lowell 3
Who are the people living in the Merrimack Valley suburbs? Lifestyle Segments 25 other segments 32% Suburban Mid- Life Families 16% Country Families 14% Young Families 9% Prosperous Diversity Mid-Life Professionals 9% Traditional Wealth Suburban Mid-Life Families 16% Mostly adults 35 to 69 years of age with high incomes, white collar jobs, home owners. Some have already retired. Needs: Day care, time for recreation, parenting skills, retirement opportunities, long-range financial security. Religious involvement is below average. Prefer churches with family life seminars and participatory music. 4
Country Families 14% These are homes located in what used to be rural areas outside of the towns. Married, lots of children, Blue Collar workers who commute into urban areas for jobs. Needs: Parenting skills, fulfilling marriage, finding life direction and getting more education. High concern about environment. Religious involvement is below average. Prefer a church with marriage enrichment programs, parenting classes, youth ministry, and daycare. Above average prefer Orthodox, Episcopal, Congregational and Catholic churches. Prosperous Diversity Mostly adults in their 30s, high numbers of children and women with jobs outside the home. Many minorities. Needs: Parenting skills, fulfilling marriage, time for recreation, satisfying career, and child care. Strong religious involvement with high preferences for Judaism, Presbyterian, UCC, Episcopal, Adventist and Catholic religions. Like churches with schools, family life ministries, and contemporary music. 5
Traditional Wealth These are the richest families in the area with roots going back many generations. High incomes, high education, middle-aged adults. Needs: Concern for social justice, care for aging parents, time for recreation, retirement opportunities and long-term financial security. Average religious involvement, but much less likely to believe in a God who is involved in life. High percentages prefer Episcopal, Judaism, Orthodox, Unitarian and Congregational churches. Want churches that provide music, drama and the arts; thoughtful worship. Mid-Life Professionals 9% High median age, high incomes, high education and many two-career couples. Needs: Fulfilling marriage, aging parents, parenting skills, and schools. Low involvement in religion and low belief in God. High preferences for Eastern religions, Unitarian, Judaism, Presbyterian and Congregational. Want churches with marriage enrichment events, music and the arts, recreation activities, and worship that is traditional and thoughtful. 6
Young Families 9% Young couples with children. High percentages into bowling and home improvement projects. Needs: Parenting skills, fulfilling marriage, dealing with divorce, good schools and time for recreation. Average level of religious involvement with higher percentages preferring Eastern Religions, Mormon, Catholic, Lutheran and Orthodox faiths. Want churches with family life ministries, sports and camping. Who are the people living in the City of Lowell? Lifestyle Segments 27 other segments 29% Young Starters 24% Suburban Mid- Life Families 11% Struggling Poor 16% Working Poor 7
Young Starters 24% Most are young adults 25 to 34 years of age; well-educated and paying high rents. Needs: Finding a satisfying career, affordable housing, aging parents, neighborhood gangs, parenting skills. Below average involvement with religion; above average percentages interested in Judaism, New Age, Unitarian and Catholic faiths. Prefer churches that have recreation and music, drama and the arts; 12-step groups; divorce recovery; spiritual retreats and contemporary music. Working Poor Most have no education beyond a high school diploma, while a third did not finish secondary school. Most rent in duplexes and small apartment buildings. Needs: Affordable housing, safety, abuse relationships, finding a job. Very low involvement in religion with above average preferences for Orthodox, Catholic, Eastern, Judaism and Unitarian religions. Like churches that provide 12-step groups, activities for seniors, and divorce recovery. 8
Struggling Poor 16% Ethnically diverse with many children and young adults; one in four are single parents. Most live in older apartment buildings built before 1960. Needs: Affordable housing, social justice, finding friends and child care. Faith involvement is average with high numbers who have become more involved in the last 10 years. Look for churches with food pantry, parent training, parochial school, and traditional architecture. Suburban Mid-Life Families 11% Mostly adults 35 to 69 years of age with high incomes, white collar jobs, home owners. Some have already retired. Needs: Day care, time for recreation, parenting skills, retirement opportunities, long-range financial security. Religious involvement is below average. Prefer churches with family life seminars and participatory music. 9
Population Decline & Growth 193,048 203,561 209,228 174,499 75,640 The suburbs are growing slowly, while the city of Lowell is in decline. 75,409 74,231 73,738 1990 2000 2010 2015* *Data for 2015 is projected. 10
Age Groups 25% 15% Lowell National 5% Under 5 Under 18 Age 65 and older Ethnic Minorities 25% 15% Lowell National 5% Asian Black Hispanic 11
Ethnicity in Survey Conducted for Lowell Police Department 43% - White 19% - Cambodian 13% - Latino/Hispanic 13% - Portuguese 3% - African American 3% - Immigrants from Africa 3% - Other Immigrants 45% 4 35% 25% 15% Lowell National 5% Foreign born Speak another language at home 12
Housing 9 8 7 6 5 4 Lowell National Owner-occupied Renter-occupied Education 7 6 5 4 Lowell National Secondary diploma College degree 13
Married 7 6 5 4 Lowell National Men Women Special Needs 25% 15% Lowell National 5% Disabled Veterans 14
Median Household Income $82,553 $66,201 $38,888 $42,257 $47,315 $52,599 Lowell National 2000 2010 Occupations City of Lowell Blue Collar 47% Prof & Mangl 19% White Collar 34% Blue Collar 31% White Collar 39% Prof & Mangl 15
Poverty 18% 16% 14% 12% 8% 6% 4% 2% Individuals below poverty line Families below poverty line Lowell National Cost of Housing $1,800 $1,919 $1,486 Lowell National Median monthly mortgage 16
Religious Preference of Merrimack Valley Residents 45% 4 35% 25% 15% 5% Catholic Oldline Protestant Evangelical Protestant Other religions No religion Lowell National Religious Involvement of Merrimack Valley Residents 5 45% 4 35% 25% 15% 5% Strongly involved Somewhat involved Not involved Lowell National 17
Religious Involvement of Merrimack Valley Residents 25% 15% 5% Increased involvement in last 10 years Decreased involvement in last 10 years Lowell National Blue line = boundaries of study area 18
National average for NAdventist apreference is t0.5% or one ihalf of one opercent of nthe general public Purple Line = Boundaries of study area Beliefs about God 9 8 7 6 5 4 There is a God God is active Lowell National 19
Social Values 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 Preserve traditional family values Environment is a national crisis Lowell National Community Services 7 6 5 4 Government should provide Churches should provide Lowell National 20
Attitudes about Immigration 4 39% 38% 37% 36% 35% 34% 33% 32% America should open the doors it is a threat to our heritage Lowell National Top Needs in the Community 57% 46% 33% 33% 28% 25% 25% Achieving financial security Maintaining personal health Dealing with stress Finding time for recreation Day-to-day financial worries Finding health insurance Finding good schools Achieving a fulfilling marriage 51% 45% 31% 26% 37% 31% 19% City of Lowell on right 21
Second Rank Needs in the Community 24% 23% 22% 22% 19% 18% 17% 17% Better quality health care Finding a satisfying job/career Neighborhood crime & safety Finding retirement opportunities Care for aging parents Dealing with child/teen problems Finding friendship Finding direction in life 24% 28% 19% 14% 18% 21% 14% City of Lowell on right Third Rank Needs in the Community 17% 15% 14% 12% 12% 11% 9% 9% Developing parenting skills Dealing with substance abuse Finding a job Problems in the schools Dealing with ethnic prejudice Dealing with social injustice Affordable housing Domestic violence & abuse 13% 16% 16% 11% 14% 11% 16% 11% City of Lowell on right 22
Low-priority Community Needs 8% 8% 7% 7% 7% 4% 4% Finding a good church Obtaining an education Providing adequate food Finding child care Finding spiritual teaching Concern about gangs Dealing with divorce 9% 8% 11% 7% 7% 5% 4% City of Lowell on right National average is 43% of households Purple line = boundaries of study area 23
National average is 14.7% of households Purple line = boundaries of study area Church Programs People Want 35% 31% 31% 24% 23% 23% 21% 16% 15% Family activities & outings Active retirement program Youth activities The arts, music, drama, etc. Bible study & prayer groups Doctrinal classes Family counseling Care for the terminally ill Marriage enrichment events 32% 27% 21% 25% 22% 25% 21% 12% City of Lowell on right 24
Church Programs People Want 12% 7% 7% 7% 5% 3% 2% Food & clothing resource center Spiritual retreats Day care for children Parent training classes Sports or camping Church-sponsored school 12-step group Divorce recovery 17% 13% 7% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% City of Lowell on right Church Program Preferences Index 24 3 12-1 -9-5 -20-25 Social services Recreation Personal development Spiritual growth Lowell Central line = national average 25
Worship Style Preferences 45% 4 35% 25% 15% 5% Emotionally uplifting Intellectually challenging Both Not interested Lowell National Worship Style Continued 35% 25% 15% 5% Traditional formal Contemporary informal Both Not interested Lowell National 26
Worship Music Preferences 35% 25% 15% 5% Traditional Contemporary Both Not interested Lowell National Worship Music Continued 35% 25% 15% 5% Performed by others Participatory Both Not interested Lowell National 27
Mission Emphasis 45% 4 35% 25% 15% 5% Spiritual growth Community service Both Not interested Lowell National How I prefer for churches to contact me [Lowell] Direct mail Radio spots Newspaper ads Cable TV No Yes Phone for a visit Telemarketing Door to door 4 5 6 7 8 28
How I prefer for churches to contact me [] Direct mail Newspaper ads Radio spots Cable TV No Yes Phone for a visit Telemarketing Door to door 4 5 6 7 8 Survey of the General Public in Northeast Metro Areas Know something inaccurate 12% Know one true fact 7% Know nothing about it 15% Never heard of the Adventist Church 66% Mission in Metropolis, p 115 29
Analysis Research has shown that growth in Adventist churches comes from: Community involvement Strong spiritual life Intentionality (goals, planning) Positive atmosphere in the congregation Activities for the unchurched on Sabbath 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 30
Christ s Method Community assessment Community visibility Community service Friendship Evangelism Discipleship Program Discussion Questions Can Merrimack Valley Church function as a multicultural congregation and serve both the suburbs and the city? How strong is the Family Ministries dimension of Merrimack Valley Church? What could it become? How strong are the Community Health Ministries of the church? What could they become? Are there three or more members willing to implement a Community Assessment Team? 31
More Discussion Questions How often do the active members have conversations about faith and/or personal and family needs with work associates, neighbors, etc.? How well prepared are they with listening and observation skills to engage in casual, non-programmed friendship evangelism? What kind of discipleship curriculum does the Merrimack Valley Church offer 52 weeks a year other than Sabbath School? Relevant Resources One Minute Witness (2003) by Monte Sahlin Understanding Your Community (2005) by Monte Sahlin Friend 2 Friend video seminar by Curtis Rittenour & Monte Sahlin Connections spiritual gifts seminar ifollow discipleship resources 32
Contact information for Monte msahlin@creativeministry.org (800) 272-4664 2011, Center for Creative Ministry 33