Church Growth Book FACT Adventist Study Monte Sahlin 2002
Church growth and perceptions about congregational spirituality 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Deepens members' relationships with God Worship is inspirational Expresses Adventist heritage Stable churches
Church growth and perceptions about congregational atmosphere 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Feels like a family Emphasizes personal relationships Seeking greater diversity Easily incorporates newcomers Stable churches
Church growth and perceptions about the congregation s progress 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Members are excited about the future Welcomes change and innovation Deals openly with conflicts Seeks to preserve an ethnic/cultural heritge Stable churches
Church growth and perceptions about community visibility 2 18% 16% 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% Community is wellinformed about church activities Is a moral beacon in the community Is working for social justice Stable churches
Summary of church growth and congregational perceptions 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Spirituality Atmosphere Progress Visibility Stable churches
Church growth and congregational dynamics 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Single-cell churches Pastor-centered churches Program-centered churches Corporation-style churches Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches
Church growth and the number of worship services 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% One worship Two or more worships Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches
Church growth and worship style 6 5 4 3 2 1 Multiple worships are similar in style Multiple worships are somewhat different Multiple worships are very different Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches
Church growth and worship style 44% of growing churches have changed the style of their primary worship service somewhat or a great deal in the last five years. 66% of declining churches have changed the style of their primary worship service little or none in the last five years.
Church growth and sermon focus 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% God's love and care Practical advice for daily living Personal spiritual growth Social justice or social action Personal salvation Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches
Church growth and sermon style 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Personal stories Literary or scholarly references Illustrations from contemporary media Detailed explanations of scripture Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches
Church growth and liturgical worship style 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Reading of creeds A time to greet each other Incense or candles Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches
Church growth and conventional worship style 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Time for testimonies Kneeling by the congregation Children's story Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches
Church growth and contemporary worship style 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Use a projector Drama Members lead worship Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches
Church growth and time to greet one another There is a strong correlation between church growth and a time during worship for people to greet each other.
Worship elements correlated to church growth 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% A time to greet each other Drama Illustrations from contemporary media Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches
Members leading worship Member participation in leading worship does not correlate to church growth as strongly as members not participating correlates with church decline. 6 5 4 3 2 1 Growing churches Declining churches Always do so Never do so
Church growth and music: What correlates? 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Always/often use electronic keyboard Always/often use string or wind instruments Always/often use drums
Church growth and music: What does not correlate? 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Always use organ and/or piano Always/often use electric guitar/bass Recorded music
Church growth and music 24% of growing churches always or often use string or wind instruments, while 36% of declining churches seldom or never do so 94% of growing churches and 85% of declining churches always or often use organ and/or piano Bottom line: music style does not correlate strongly with church growth.
Church growth and sources of authority 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Scripture Adventist heritage The Holy Spirit Reason and understanding Personal experience and common sense EG White writings Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches
Church growth and sources of authority 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Adventist heritage The Holy Spirit Reason and understanding EG White writings
Church growth and how many members welcome visitors 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 One or two members typically greet a visitor More than 5 members typically greet a visitor
Church growth and the congregation s world view 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 More other-world focused More this-world focused A balanced focus
Church growth and the year a congregation was founded 6 5 4 3 2 1 Before 1946 1947 to 1959 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s
Church growth and the year a congregation was founded 18% 16% 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s
Church growth and type of community 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Rural area Town of less than 10,000 population Town of 10,000 to 50,000 population Metropolitan area of less than 250,000 Metropolitan area larger than 250,000
Church growth and urbanization 76% of declining congregations are located in rural areas and small towns 73% of growing congregations are located in metropolitan areas
Church growth and type of metropolitan neighborhood 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Downtown Urban neighborhood Older suburb Newer suburb
Church growth and type of neighborhood 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Residential neighborhood Mixed commercial and residential neighborhood Fast-growing churches Moderate-growth churches Stable churches
Church growth and space available for worship 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Much more than needed Slightly more than needed About right Slightly less than needed Much less than needed
Church growth and space available for Sabbath School 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Much more than needed Slightly more than needed About right Slightly less than needed Much less than needed
Church growth and space available for fellowship/outreach 6 5 4 3 2 1 Much more than needed Slightly more than needed About right Slightly less than needed Much less than needed
Church growth and space available for parking 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Much more than needed Slightly more than needed About right Slightly less than needed Much less than needed
Church growth and condition of physical plant 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Excellent Good Needs improvement Serious need of repair
Church growth and sharing the building with another congregation 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Another congregation uses our building No other congregation uses our building
Church growth and Sabbath School 12 10 8 6 4 2 Have a Sabbath School No other congregation uses our building
Church growth and Bible study programs 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 One-time or occasional event A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry
Church growth and doctrinal study programs 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% One-time or occasional event A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry
Church growth and prayer groups 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 One-time or occasional event A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry
Church growth and spiritual retreats 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% One-time or occasional event A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry
Church growth and community service activities 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% One-time or occasional events A seasonal project An ongoing ministry
Church growth and family life ministries 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Occasional events A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry
Church growth and a choir or choirs 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Once in a while One season of the year All through the year
Church growth and music, art, drama ministries 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Occasional events A seasonal program An ongoing ministry
Church growth and groups that discuss books or contemporary issues 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% One-time or occasional event A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry
Church growth and self-help or personal growth groups 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% One-time or occasional event A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry
Church growth and exercise, fitness and weight loss classes 25% 2 15% 1 5% One-time or occasional event A series for a period of time An ongoing ministry
Church growth and sports teams 16% 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% One-time or occasional event A seasonal program A year-round program
Church growth and Pathfinder Club or youth group 6 5 4 3 2 1 One-time or occasional event A program for part of the year An ongoing ministry
Church growth and young adult or single ministries 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Occasional events A program for part of the year An ongoing ministry
Church growth and teaching spiritual disciplines 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Emphasize a great deal Emphasize quite a bit Emphasize less
Church growth and encouraging family worship 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Emphasize a great deal Emphasize less
Church growth and encouraging fasting 12 10 8 6 4 2 Emphasize a great deal Emphasize quite a bit Emphasize less
Church growth and teaching dietary restrictions 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Emphasize a great deal Emphasize quite a bit Emphasize less
Church growth and teaching abstinence from alcohol 6 5 4 3 2 1 Emphasize a great deal Emphasize quite a bit Emphasize less
Church growth and teaching Sabbath-keeping 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Emphasize a great deal Emphasize less
Church growth and encouraging religious symbols in the home 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Emphasize a great deal Emphasize quite a bit Emphasize less
Church growth and teaching abstinence from premarital sex 6 5 4 3 2 1 Emphasize a great deal Emphasize quite a bit Emphasize less
Church growth and follow-up with newcomers in worship 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Contact within a few days Contact within a week or two Contact within a month or two Don't follow-up Have no method to get names
Church growth and outreach through newspaper ads 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it
Church growth and outreach through radio or television spots 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it
Church growth and outreach through direct mail 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it
Church growth and outreach through public evangelism 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it
Church growth and outreach through newcomer ministry 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it
Church growth and outreach through Friendship Evangelism 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it
Church growth and outreach through seeker services 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it
Church growth and outreach through entry events 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it
Church growth and outreach through pastoral visits 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it
Church growth and outreach through visits by members 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Have done in the last 12 months Interested in doing so Have no interest in it
Church growth and prison ministry 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s) Not involved
Church growth and sponsoring a Community Service Center 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s) Not provided
Church growth and community service through food pantry/soup kitchen 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s) Not provided
Church growth and community service through cash assistance 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s) Not provided
Church growth and community service through a housing program 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)
Church growth and community service through counseling services 25% 2 15% 1 5% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)
Church growth and community service through a substance abuse program 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)
Church growth and community service through day care or after-school program 16% 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)
Church growth and community service through a voter registration project 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)
Church growth and social action or community organizing projects 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)
Church growth and community service through a job finding or training program 1 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)
Church growth and community service through health ministries 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s) Not provided
Church growth and community service through nursing home visits 18% 16% 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)
Church growth and community service through a senior citizens program 25% 2 15% 1 5% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)
Church growth and community service through immigrant assistance 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)
Church growth and community service through a homeless shelter 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% Sponsored by congregation Co-sponsored with other congregation(s)
Church growth and focus of church ministries 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% All or most activities focus on growth Most activities are independent
Church growth and goals for growth 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% No goal Goal of 1% or 2% per year Goal of 3% to 1 per year Goal of more than 1 per year
Church growth and education of the pastor 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% No college degree Only a college degree Masters degree Doctoral degree
Church growth and ethnicity of the pastor 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Asian African American Hispanic Non-Hispanic white
Church growth and pastoral tenure 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 One pastor in the last ten years Two or three pastors in the last ten years Four or more pastors in the last ten years
Church growth and participation in joint worship events 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Not involved in the last year With other Adventist churches With other Christian churches With other faiths
Church growth and participation in joint celebrations 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Not involved in the last year With other Adventist churches With other Christian churches With other faiths
Church growth and participation in joint community services 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Not involved in the last year With other Adventist churches With other Christian churches With other faiths
Church growth and participation in local ministerial associations 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Not involved in the last year With other Adventist churches With other Christian churches With other faiths
Church growth and conflict about theology 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict
Church growth and conflict about finances/budget 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict
Church growth and conflict about worship style 6 5 4 3 2 1 No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict
Church growth and conflict about program priorities 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict
Church growth and conflict about authority 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict
Church growth and conflict about the pastor s leadership style 6 5 4 3 2 1 No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict
Church growth and conflict about the pastor s personal behavior 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict
Church growth and conflict about personal behavior of a member 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict
Church growth and conflict about other issues 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 No conflict in the last five years Little conflct Moderate conflict Serious conflict
Church growth and church standards 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Explicit standards are strictly enforced Clear standards, but not strictly enforced Only implicit standards, seldom enforced
Church growth and internal communications 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Announcements during worship Church bulletin Church newsletter Union paper or conference newsletter Regular letters from the pastor
Church growth and access to a church computer 6 5 4 3 2 1 No access Use a member's private computer Church owns or leases a computer
Church growth and use of computers 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Word processing List management Accounting Education Email communication A church web site
Church growth and total persons associated with the church in any way 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 100 or less 101 to 300 301 to 700 Over 700
Church growth and ethnic majority of the congregation 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Asian African American Hispanic Native American Non-Hispanic white
Church growth and the number of women in the congregation 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Relatively few (4 or less) Normal range (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)
Church growth and the number of adults with little education 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)
Church growth and the number of adults with college degrees 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)
Church growth and the number of young adults 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)
Church growth and the number of senior citizens 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)
Church growth and the number of married people 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)
Church growth and the number of life-long Adventists 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)
Church growth and the number of new members 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)
Church growth and the number living in the neighborhood 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)
Church growth and the number more than 15 minutes away from church 6 5 4 3 2 1 Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)
Church growth and the number holding volunteer roles in the church 6 5 4 3 2 1 Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)
Church growth and the number in low-income households 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)
Church growth and the number of families with children 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)
Church growth and the number of adults who are immigrants 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Relatively few (4 or less) Balanced shares (41% to 6) Dominate share (61% or more)
Church growth and the number of adults participating in small groups 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% None Hardly any (1% to 1) A few (11% to 2) Some (21% to 4) Many (41% to 6) Most or all (61% to 10)
Church growth and the number of adults attending mid-week meeting 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% None Hardly any (1% to 1) A few (11% to 2) Some (21% to 4) Many (41% or more)
Church growth and the number of adults recruiting new members 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Few or none Some Most Almost all
Church growth and the number of adults expressing their faith by helping others 6 5 4 3 2 1 Few or none Some Most Almost all
Church growth and the percent of teenagers from church families involved in church 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Hardly any Few Some Most Almost all
Church growth and the current financial health of the congregation 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Excellent Good Tight but manageable In trouble
Church growth and the past financial health of the congregation 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Excellent Good Tight but manageable In trouble
Church growth and the total income to the church last year 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Under $53,000 $53,000 to $99,999 $100,000 to $180,000 $181,000 to $365,000 Over $365,000
Church growth and budget for local church staff 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 None Under $7,500 per year Over $7,500 per year
Church growth and budget for local church operations 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Less than $7,000 per year $7,000 to $18,999 per year $19,000 or more per year
Church growth and budget for local mission work 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Less than $600 per year $600 to $4,999 per year $5,000 or more per year
Church growth and budget for national/international mission work 6 5 4 3 2 1 None Less than $1,700 $1,700 or more
Church growth and budget for Christian education 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% None Less than $1,000 per year $1,000 to $14,999 per year $15,000 or more per year
Church growth and total local expenditures last year 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Less than $14,000 $14,000 to $29,999 $30,000 to $60,999 $61,000 to $133,999 $134,000 or more
Church growth and total tithe last year 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Less than $59,000 $59,000 to $117,999 $118,000 to $176,999 $177,000 to $360,000 Over $360,000
Church growth and total denominational offerings last year 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% $5,000 or less $5,001 to $10,299 $10,300 to $15,349 $15,350 to $49,999 $50,000 or more
Church growth and stewardship education methods used in last year 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Sermons or appeals by the pastor Appeals or testimonies by members Yard sales, bake sales, etc. Appeals based on specific needs Promotional materials, bulletin inserts Contacting members by phone or visits Pledge or commitment cards Giving guidelines on the offering envelope
Church growth and member attitudes about tithing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Believe they should place all tithe in the Tithe Fund administered by the conference Think it is permissible to use a portion of their tithe for other funds/ministries
Church growth and operating from a church budget in writing 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Have a formal, written annual budget Do not have a formal, written annual budget
Church growth and debt 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Church has a mortgage or other debt Church has no debt
Church growth and mission/vision statements 12 10 8 6 4 2 Church has a written mission or vision statement Church does not
Church growth and language 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 English language congregations Spanish language congregatoins