Owen Sound Seventh-day Adventist Church Survey Monte Sahlin Senior Consultant Center for Creative Ministry September 2012 Source of Data Random sample of 30 people attending the Owen Sound Seventh-day Adventist Church in April and May 2012 Comparisons with data from a national survey of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada and Statistics Canada census data
Status of Church Attenders Not members 7% Baptized more than 20 years 54% Baptized in last 5 years 23% Baptized six to 20 years 16% Attendance Pattern Most Sabbaths 43% Low attendanders 20% Half the time 37%
Raised by Adventist Parents No 67% Yes 33% Church Involvement 77% 77% 64% 57% 40% 23% 23% 24% Has a volunteer role Attends SS class Participates in a small group Gave Bible studies Owen Sound Canada
Were You Personally Asked to Volunteer in a Church Ministry During the Last Year? No 21% Yes 79% Attended a Training Event in the Last Year No 70% Yes 30%
Assurance of Eternal Life 80% 87% 20% 13% Certain or very certain Owen Sound Not certain Canada How much have you grown in your faith in the last year? Owen Sound Canada 34% 29% 32% 20% 29% 32% 0% 9% 11% 6% Through this church Through another group Through private activities -----------Much Growth----------- Some growth No real growth
How often do you engage in these devotional practices? 96% 46% 44% 4% 0% 0% 27% 8% 19% 30% 11% 15% Prayer Reading the Bible Other practices Daily Weekly Monthly Little or none Conversations with Coworkers about their Personal or Family Needs or Spiritual Topics 34% 41% 47% 17% 22% 17% 14% 7% Almost daily Once a week Once in a while Never Owen Sound Canada
Attitudes on Key Issues It is important to tithe Tithe should be paid through the local church Denominational financial policies are fair and equitable Leaders manage funds in a wise, responsible manner 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Agree Not sure Disagree How Do You Calculate Tithe? Other 15% Do not tithe 4% After taxes 22% Before taxes 59%
In the last year what percentage of your income did you give to offerings (not tithe) 33% 37% 35% 27% 22% 16% 15% 15% Less than one percent One to four percent Five to nine percent Second tithe Owen Sound Canada Giving Styles 37% 41% 26% 26% 22% 29% Habitual Intentional Reactive Owen Sound Canada
In the last year have you given any of your tithe to these non-tithe categories? Local church funds 48% 46% Overseas SDA fields An Adventist school Public evangelism SDA media ministries Non-Adventist organizations 14% 14% 15% 14% 15% 14% 14% 14% 19% 21% Worthy students Independent ministries 10% 9% 8% 19% Opinions About Church Finances How local church spends money How conference spends money SDA Church in Canada spending North American Division spending General Conference spending 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Approve Not sure Disapprove
Evaluation of the Local Church Parking Pastoral leadership Church board Community service Worship Help for individuals Children's ministries Small groups Youth group Evangelism 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Excellent Uncertain Poor Observed to be Most Effective Methods in Bringing in New Members Personal contact 57% 65% Health outreach 19% 12% Public evangelism Bible studies 8% 15% 15% 29% Community service Music concerts The media ministries 12% 15% 12% 13% 12% 11% Canada Owen Sound
Observed to be Most Effective Methods in Bringing in New Members - Continued Personal contact 57% 65% Revelation Seminar 5% 12% Small groups Youth/children ministry Literature Door to door Family life seminar 8% 8% 8% 0% 5% 4% 4% 0% 3% 16% Canada Owen Sound Gender Men 40% Women 60%
Generations Millennials (young adults) 10% Seniors 24% Gen X (young families) 19% Baby Boomers (middle-aged) 29% Generations: Adventist Members Compared to the General Population 33% 29% 35% 26% 27% 21% 13% 19% 22% 16% 10% 16% Seniors Baby Boomers Gen X Millennials Owen Sound Church SDA Church in Canada Canada Census
Ethnicity Others 5% Caribbean 4% White 91% Immigration Immigrant 24% Native-born 76%
Education Graduate degree 12% No secondary diploma 24% University degree 28% Secondary diploma 32% Education: Adventist Members Compared to the General Population 54% 44% 40% 39% 28% 24% 37% 20% 13% No Secondary Diploma Secondary Diploma University Degree Owen Sound Church SDA Church in Canada Canada Census
Marital Status Widowed 4% Separated 12% Divorced 8% Married 48% Never married 28% Marital Status: Adventist Members Compared to the General Population 60% 48% 48% 28% 35% 23% 8% 12% 11% 4% 5% 6% Married Never Married Divorced Singles Widowed Owen Sound Church SDA Church in Canada Canada Census
Annual Household Income 52% 26% 22% 26% 17% 23% 25% 9% Under $25,000 $25,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 or more How far is your home from your local church? Outside the metro area 36% In the same community 44% Different community, same metro area 20%
Suggestions for Church Leadership and General Comments Need more modern music More appealing, contemporary sermons I find it hard to bring new people to the church because the style of the services seems to cater to a very specific group. It would be nice to have more joyous and upbeat praise and worship time and sermons that are more relevant; issues in the world paired with Bible teachings I give all that I can and support Mental Health Do more events with children and teens For our church a number of things are difficult; the pastor is spread too thin with three churches, although I think he does very well considering all things. More personal visits; get to know the church family better (needs, joys, problems, etc.) Suggestions for Church Leadership and General Comments More outreach programs Use Webinars, online seminars that members can also do at home, to educate and strengthen spiritual growth; also use Webinars to provide church-based schools Hold elders meetings at least once a quarter More emphasis on community outreach The elders should be more interested in outreach and evangelism Less emphasis on playing church Make members more aware that we are not just another church to attend once a week; ask them what mission groups they want to take part in, the form small groups according to their spiritual gifts and interests
Monte Sahlin, Consultant (800) 272-4664 msahlin@creativeministry.org 2012, Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada and the Center for Creative Ministry