New Windsor Church Plant Target Area A report by Elder Monte Sahlin Center for Creative Ministry July 2010
Who is Monte Sahlin? n 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 conferences directing research and development. He teaches in the Doctor of Ministry program at Andrews University and the urban studies program at Eastern Baptist University. He is the author of 20 books, 50 research monographs and many articles.
What is the Center for Creative Ministry? n One of the research and information centers affiliated with the North American Division, the center 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 group Bible study guides, Friend2Friend training videos and other materials.
Goals of this Study n Profile the demographics of the New Windsor community n Provide a community needs assessment n Put information on the table for planning and strategy development
New Windsor as a Mission Field n A suburb in the Poughkeepsie-Newburgh Metropolitan Area n 25,000 people living in 9,100 households n Orange County has one Adventist for 742 people n USA has 1 to 305 n New Guinea: 1 to 25 n Zambia: 1 to 22 n Belize: 1 to 10
Zip Code 12553 New Windsor
Who are the people living in this community? Lifestyle Segments 18 Other groups 31% Country Families 27% Prosperous Diversity 12% Young Starters 14% Suburban Mid- Life Families 16%
Country Families n Live in the less built-up areas and commute to jobs in urban areas in precision production and construction crafts; own many cars, power tools, riding lawnmowers, trucks. n High numbers of children and married people; most have above-average incomes, while some live in mobile homes. n Needs: parenting skills, fulfilling marriage, child care, financial worries, finding spiritual teaching n Below average religious involvement. Prefer churches with family life events, youth activities, day care and small group ministries.
Suburban Mid-Life Families n Most adults are 35 to 69 years of age with high incomes, white collar jobs; mostly home owners. Some have already retired. n Needs: Day care, time for recreation, parenting skills, retirement, long-term financial security. n Religious involvement is below average. Prefer churches with family life seminars and participatory music.
Young Starters n These are young couples in their late 20s and early 30s, two-career households. Most have attended college, but are paying high rents and not buying homes. n Needs: Finding satisfying jobs, affordable housing, parenting skills, finding life direction, aging parents. n Religious involvement is below average. Prefer a church with sports, camping, music, drama; twelve-step groups and family life ministries; contemporary music.
Prosperous Diversity n Most adults are in their 30s and there are high numbers of children. Large number of Asian and Pacific Islander people, and other minorities. n Needs: Parenting skills, fulfilling marriage, child care, good schools, satisfying job, and time for recreation. n Religious involvement is below average. Prefer a church that has parent training and marriage enrichment programs, a church school and contemporary music.
Population Growth 2015 is an estimate
Age Groups
Ethnic Minorities
Immigrants
Housing
Education
Married
Special Needs
Median Income
Occupations
Poverty
Cost of Housing
Religious Preferences of New Windsor Residents Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Religious Involvement of New Windsor Residents Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Religious Involvement of New Windsor Residents Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Red line = boundaries of New Windsor
Beliefs about God
Social Values
Community Services
Ethnic Change
Top Needs in the Community n 55% Achieving financial security n 45% Maintaining personal health n 34% Day-to-day financial worries n 33% Dealing with stress n 30% Finding time for recreation n 30% Getting health insurance n 30% Finding time for recreation n 25% Obtaining better quality health care Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Needs in the Community n 24% Achieving a fulfilling marriage n 24% Finding good schools n 22% Neighborhood crime & safety n 22% Finding a satisfying job/career n 22% Planning for retirement n 19% Dealing with teen/child problems n 17% Finding friends n 17% Caring for aging parents Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Needs in the Community n 16% Alcohol/drug addiction n 16% Developing parenting skills n 16% Finding direction in my life n 14% Finding a job n 12% Problems with school n 11% Dealing with racial/ethnic prejudice n 10% Dealing with social injustice n 10% Finding affordable housing Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Low-priority Needs in the Community n 9% Finding a good church n 8% Finding spiritual teaching n 8% Obtaining adequate food n 8% Getting an education n 7% Affordable child care n 4% Dealing with divorce n 4% Dealing with neighborhood gangs Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Church Programs People Want n 35% Family activities & outings n 31% Youth activities n 30% Active retirement program n 25% Bible study & prayer group n 23% Family & personal counseling n 22% Doctrinal study group n 20% Music/art/drama programs n 17% Care for the terminally ill Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Church Programs People Want n 15% Marriage enrichment seminar n 13% Clothing & food for the needy n 10% Spiritual retreats n 7% Parent training class n 7% Day care n 6% Sports or camping n 5% Church school (day school) n 3% 12-step group for addictions n 2% Divorce Recovery program Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Church Program Preferences Index 8 8-4 -24 Recreation Social services Personal development Spiritual development
Worship Style Preferences 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% New Windsor National 15% 10% 5% 0% Emotionally uplifting Intellectually challenging Both Not interested
Worship Style Continued 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% New Windsor National 10% 5% 0% Traditional formal Contemporary Both Not interested
Music Preferences 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% New Windsor National 10% 5% 0% Traditional Contemporary Both Not interested
Music Style Continued 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% New Windsor National 10% 5% 0% Performed by others Participatory Both Not interested
Music Style Continued 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% New Windsor National 10% 5% 0% Performed by others Participatory Both Not interested
Mission Emphasis 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% New Windsor National 10% 5% 0% Spiritual growth Community service Both Not interested
How I prefer for churches to contact me Direct mail Radio spots Newpaper ads Cable TV Phone for a visit Yes No Door to door Telemarketing 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Analysis n Research has shown that growth in Adventist churches comes from: n Community involvement n Rich spirituality n Intentionality (goals, planning) n A positive atmosphere in congregation n Activities for the unchurched on Sabbath
The Adventist Paradigm for Outreach & Evangelism n 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, MH 143
Recommendations n Consider using the Heartbeat screening program and a stress seminar as entering wedges; these are the Adventist outreach programs most related to the needs in the community. n Use the Family Seminar approach to evangelism instead of the Revelation Seminar.
Recommendations n The new congregation needs to have strong family outings and social activities and a strong youth program (perhaps a Pathfinder Club or the new Ambassador Club). n Direct mail will be the most productive type of advertising for outreach events.
Recommendations n There is a strong attitude in this community that if the new church does not have a substantial nonreligious community service program, it is not really Christian.
Resources n Understanding Your Community by Monte Sahlin available at www.adventsource.com n Family Seminar manual and resources available at www.happyfamilybsi.com n Stress seminar and other health outreach resources available at www.healthconnection.org/temp/new/
n 2010, Center for Creative Ministry n www.creativeministry.org n (800) 272-4664