Christ s Mission in Ravenna A report by Elder Monte Sahlin Director of Research & Special Projects Ohio Conference April 18, 2009
Background n Branch Sabbath School started in Ravenna in 1903 n First pastor assigned in 1907 n Organized as a church with 19 members on December 12, 1908 n Started a church school in the fall of 1909 and it continued for 25 years n Purchased first building in 1911
Background n Evangelism campaign in Masonic Temple in spring of 1948 n Campaign in Kent in spring of 1949 n Groundbreaking for new building on August 25, 1957 n Airatorium meetings in fall of 1960 n New building dedicated March 25, 1961 n Yeagley-Sickler campaign in 1963 n County Faith booth in 1964
Membership & Attendance 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Membership Attendance 1908 1956 1958 1963 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Goals of this Study n Understand the people who live in the Ravenna community n Identify the needs in the community n Suggest some opportunities for missional involvement by the Ravenna Adventist Church n Ask, What is God doing in Ravenna?
Ravenna as a Mission Field n Portage County has a population of 147,000 n Town of Ravenna has a population of 11,400 n The county constitutes suburbs of the Akron metropolitan area n Who are these people? How do they make a living? What are their needs?
Adventist Presence n Portage County has 1 Adventist per each 4,345 population n Ghana 1 per 73 n Fiji 1 per 37 n New Guinea 1 per 23 n Rwanda 1 per 21 n Jamaica 1 per 14 n Belize 1 per 10 n U.S. 1 per 305 n World 1 per 450
Age Groups 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% Ravenna National 5% 0% Under 5 Under 18 65 and over
Over 65 Years of Age
Ethnic Minorities 16% 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% Ravenna National 4% 2% 0% Asian Black Hispanic Other
African Americans
Immigrants 20% 18% 16% 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% Foreign born Speak another language at home Ravenna National
Immigrants
Housing 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% Ravenna National 20% 10% 0% Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Homeowners
Education 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% Ravenna National 20% 10% 0% Secondary diploma College degree
College Graduates
Married 56% 54% 52% 50% 48% 46% Ravenna National 44% 42% 40% Men Women
Special Needs 25% 20% 15% 10% Ravenna National 5% 0% Disabled Veterans
Median Income $55,832 $46,242 $46,090 $35,650 Ravenna National All households Families only
Median Household Income
Occupations Agriculture 1% Blue Collar 26% Prof'l & management 30% Sales & service 43%
Poverty 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% Ravenna National 2% 0% Individuals below poverty line Families below poverty line
People in Poverty
Cost of Housing $1,295 $865 $285 $369 Ravenna National Median monthly mortgage Median monthly rent/lease
Housing Cost
Religious Profile of Portage County Catholic 19% Unchurched 64% Protestant 9% Evangelical* 6% Other 2% *Includes Adventists
Public Media n Ravenna Record- Courier n Kent Stater n Stow Record n Multiple papers n TV Stations n WVPX Channel 23 n WEAO Channel 49 n WBNX Channel 55 n WNEO Channel 45 n Radio n WAKR 1590 AM n WZIP 88.1 n WKSU 89.7 n WRMU 91.1 n WAPS 91.3 n WZKL 92.5 n WKDD 96.5 n WONE 97.5 n WNIR 100.1
Information from Civic Agencies: Community Needs n Slowing of the economy n People losing their homes n Finding jobs/job training n Poverty has increased significantly in the last six years n Healthy Community Partnership
Health Indicators n 20% get no exercise n 58% of children get no exercise n 16% exercise outside of school compared to 64% nationally n 15% are chronic alcohol users as compared to 5% nationally n 40% of adolescents have used alcohol in the last 30 days n 19% of adults smoke n 17% of adolescents
Health Indicators n More than 10% of adults have no health coverage n One in five eligible children are not registered with Medicaid n Half get no dental care n Nine percent of mothers get no prenatal care n One in five pregnant women smoke n 26% of women over 40 have not had a mammogram in the last year
Mental Health Indicators n One in five adults has mental health or substance abuse disorders n 15% of adolescents compared to 5% across the State of Ohio n 35% have been treated for MH problems in the last year, compared to 20% nationally n 22% of adolescents, compared to 16%
Adult Mental Health Problems (2005) n 28% Depression n 18% Bipolar disorders n 14% Alcohol dependence n 11% Anxiety disorders n 9% Adjustment disorders n 8% Psychotic conditions n 8% Drug abuse
Adolescent Mental Health Problems (2005) n 36% Attention deficit/behavior n 28% Adjustment disorders n 12% Bipolar disorders n 9% Anxiety disorders n 7% Depression n 2% Drug abuse
Extension Service Survey n 90% of residents agree that We need to preserve agricultural land in Portage County. n 91% agree, People move to Portage County for its rural character. n 68% agree, Portage County is a farming community.
No Child Left Behind n 34 out of 132 elementary schools in Portage County have a performance index below 50 percent n This includes private and parochial schools
Survey of Congregation n A standard questionnaire was distributed during worship on Sabbaths in April 2009. n A total of 26 usable questionnaires were returned which represents the majority of the typical Sabbath attendance.
Age groups by generation 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Before Boomers Baby Boom Gen X Millennials Congregation Community
Annual household income 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Under $25,000 $25,000 to $49,999 $50,000 or more Congregation Community
Level of education 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% No secondary diploma Secondary diploma College degree Graduate degree Congregation Community
Marital status 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Married Never married Divorced Separated Widowed Congregation Community
Ethnicity 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Asian Black Hispanic White Others Congregation Community
Citizenship at birth 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% USA Others Congregation Community
Attendance 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% One out of last four weeks or less Two out of last four weeks Three or four out of last four weeks Ravenna Church U.S. Adventist Churches
Church Membership Not 12% Ravenna Church member 88%
How much does worship at Ravenna Church help you with everyday life? Not much 8% Some 42% Greatly 50%
How much have you grown in your faith in the last year? 60% 50% Ravenna Church U.S. Adventists 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Through this church Through another group Through private activities Some growth No real growth ---------Much growth---------
Assurance of Salvation 90% 80% 70% 60% 78% 68% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 21% 32% Certain or very certain Ravenna Church North America Not certain
Conversations with Coworkers about their Personal or Family Needs or Spiritual Topics 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Almost daily Once a week Once in a while Never Ravenna Church Metropolitan Adventists* *Mission in Metropolis, p 110
Church Involvement 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Has a ministry role Attends SS class Participates in a small group Gave Bible studies Ravenna Church North America
Has anyone asked you personally to volunteer time in the last year? No 40% Yes 60%
Evaluation of Sermons Bible content Encouraging spiritual growth Encouraging witnessing Addressing social problems Relevance to everyday life Stimulating thought 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Do very well Fairly well Not at all
Music Preferences Traditional hymns 77% Praise music or choruses 46% Gospel music 27% Contemporary Christian music 19% Jesus Rock Classical music or chorales Jazz 0% 0% 4% I do not know 12%
Perceptions of Ravenna Church This church is warm & friendly This church is grace-oriented People are excited about the future Has a clear sense of mission New people are easily assimilated Programs are well organized Activities strengthen personal relationships 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Describe well Not sure Describe poorly or not at all
Strong sense of belonging to Ravenna Church 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Yes and growing Yes, but the same Yes, but less so No, but I am new No, wish I did No, that is OK Ravenna Church U.S. Adventists
Involvement in making important decisions 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Given opportunity & often participate Given opportunity & occasionally participate Given opportunity, but did not participate Not given opportunity, but that is OK Not given opportunity & unhappy Ravenna Church U.S. Adventists
Overall Evaluation Pastor's leadership Worship Children's ministries Parking Church board Evangelism Help for individuals Youth group Small groups Community service 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Excellent Uncertain Poor
Observed to be Most Effective Methods to Bring in New Members Friendship Evangelism* Small groups Community service Public evangelism Youth/children's ministry Bible studies Revelation Seminars 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% U.S. Adventists Ravenna Church *Personal contact by relatives, work associates, acquaintances
2 - Observed to be Most Effective Methods to Bring in New Members Friendship Evangelism* Literature Community health Public concerts Media ministries Door-to-door contacts Family life seminar Other 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% U.S. Adventists Ravenna Church *Personal contact by relatives, work associates and acquaintances
Visibility of the Adventist Church in this Metropolitan Area 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Very well known and often visible Somewhat known and occasionally visible Not very well known and never visible Ravenna Medina Columbus Dayton Pittsburgh East coast
How Far is Your Home from the Church? 48% 30% 22% 13% 26% 37% 9% 14% Same Zip Code Same Town Same County Different County Ravenna Church U.S. Adventists
Do you belong to a service club or civic group of some kind? No 100%
What major need in the community should the church address? n Adventist awareness n Poverty n Maybe a community service center n Spiritual needs
n 77% of the people attending Ravenna Church are willing to get personally involved in some kind of community service outreach.
Community Ministries: Willing to get Personally Involved Pt 1 Youth drop-in center Health education 30% 30% Thrift store Stress seminars 25% 25% After-school tutoring Homeless shelter Job-finding program 12-step group Disaster Response team 20% 20% 20% 20% 20%
Community Ministries: Willing to get Personally Involved Pt 2 Parenting classes Family counseling 15% 15% Health screening Weight loss program 10% 10% Free clinic Diabetes support group 5% 5% Job training 0%
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
Recommendations n Join the Health Community Partnership n Interview community leaders for their input n Start a stress seminar and support group for the unemployed n Study the possibility of opening a thrift store/youth drop-in center n Appoint a communication officer (and possibly get training)
Recommendations n Have a monthly PIE meeting (People in Evangelism) to share experiences and provide training in Friendship Evangelism n Convene a meeting of the members who are under 45 years of age and ask them to make recommendations as to how to engage more young adults
n 2009, Ohio Conference and Center for Creative Ministry n www.creativeministry.org n (800) 272-4664 n Elder Monte Sahlin n (937) 748-9075 n (301) 325-8095 n msahlin@creativeministry.org