Canton, Carrolton & Wooster Seventh-day Adventist Churches. A survey report from Monte Sahlin Ohio Conference March 2013

Transcription

1 Canton, Carrolton & Wooster Seventh-day Adventist Churches A survey report from Monte Sahlin Ohio Conference March 2013

2 Goals of this Study n Profile the spiritual life and vitality of each congregation n Get input from the members n Understand the needs of the three churches n Provide information for future planning

3 Survey of Members n A standard questionnaire was distributed during worship at each church. n A total questionnaires returned to form the basis of this report: n 21 from Canton (84% of attendance) n 10 from Carrollton (71% of attendance) n 30 from Wooster (73% of attendance) n Each response rate provides a reliable sample survey.

4 Age groups by generation in Canton 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Seniors Baby Boom Gen X Millennial Congregation Community

5 Age groups by generation in Carrollton 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Seniors Baby Boom Gen X Millennial Congregation Community

6 Age groups by generation in Wooster 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Seniors Baby Boom Gen X Millennial Congregation Community

7 Gender in Canton Men Congregation Community Women

8 Gender in Carrollton Men Congregation Community Women

9 Gender in Wooster 53% 52% 51% 5 49% 48% 47% 46% 45% 44% Men Congregation Community Women

10 Annual Household Income in Canton 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Under $25,000 $25,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 or more Congregation Community

11 Annual Household Income in Carrollton Under $25,000 $25,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 or more Congregation Community

12 Annual Household Income in Wooster Under $25,000 $25,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 or more Congregation Community

13 Level of education in Canton No secondary diploma Secondary diploma College degree Graduate degree Congregation Community

14 Level of education in Carrollton No secondary diploma Secondary diploma College degree Graduate degree Congregation Community

15 Level of education in Wooster No secondary diploma Secondary diploma College degree Graduate degree Congregation Community

16 Marital status in Canton 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Married Never married Divorced Widowed Congregation Community

17 Marital status in Carrollton 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Married Never married Divorced Widowed Congregation Community

18 Marital status in Wooster 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Married Never married Divorced Widowed Congregation Community

19 Ethnicity in Canton Asian Black Hispanic White Others Congregation Community

20 Ethnicity in Carrollton Asian Black Hispanic White Others Congregation Community

21 Ethnicity in Wooster Asian Black Hispanic White Others Congregation Community

22 Immigrants 25% 2 15% 1 5% Canton Carrollton Wooster Congregation Community

23 Attendance None One out of last four weeks or less Two out of last four weeks Three or four out of last four weeks Canton Carrollton Wooster U.S. Adventist Churches

24 Adventist membership and background Raised as an Adventist Not a member Canton Carrollton Wooster U.S. Adventists

25 Tenure as a Baptized Adventist Less than 5 years Five to 10 years 11 to 20 years More than 20 years Canton Carrollton Wooster U.S. Adventist Churches

26 How much does worship at this church help you with everyday life? Greatly Some Not much Canton Carrollton Wooster U.S. Adventist Churches

27 How much have you grown in your faith in the last year? 6 5 Canton Carrollton Wooster U.S. Adventists Through this church Through another group Through private activities Some growth No real growth Much growth

28 Assurance of Salvation Certain or very certain Not certain Canton Carrollton Wooster North American Adventists

29 Conversations with Coworkers about Personal Needs or Spiritual Topics Almost daily Once a week Once in a while Never or rarely Canton Carrollton Wooster US Adventists

30 Church Involvement Has a ministry role Attends SS class Participates in a small group Gave Bible studies Canton Carrollton Wooster North American Adventists

31 How Do You Calculate Tithe? Do not tithe 17% After taxes 35% Other 13% Before taxes 47%

32 Giving Styles Habitual Intentional Reactive Canton Carrollton Wooster US Adventists

33 Evaluation of Sermons Encouraging spiritual growth Bible content Encouraging witnessing Relevance to everyday life Stimulating thought Addressing social problems Do very well Fairly well Not at all

34 Perceptions of Canton Church Has a clear sense of mission Programs are well organized Members are excited about the future This church is grace-oriented Activities strengthen personal relationships This church is warm & friendly New people are easily assimilated Describes very well Not sure Describes poorly or not at all

35 Perceptions of Carrollton Church Has a clear sense of mission Programs are well organized Members are excited about the future This church is grace-oriented Activities strengthen personal relationships This church is warm & friendly New people are easily assimilated Describes very well Not sure Describes poorly or not at all

36 Perceptions of Wooster Church Has a clear sense of mission Programs are well organized Members are excited about the future This church is grace-oriented Activities strengthen personal relationships This church is warm & friendly New people are easily assimilated Describes very well Not sure Describes poorly or not at all

37 Strong sense of belonging to this local church Yes and growing Yes, but the same Yes, but less so No, but I am new No, wish I did No, that is OK Canton Carrollton Wooster U.S. Adventists

38 Involvement in making important decisions 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% 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 Canton Carrollton Wooster U.S. Adventists

39 Overall Evaluation of Canton Church Worship Pastor's leadership Parking Help for individuals Church board Children's ministries Small groups Evangelism Community service Youth group Excellent Uncertain Poor

40 Overall Evaluation of Carrollton Church Pastor's leadership Parking Worship Church board Evangelism Help for individuals Small groups Community service Children's ministries Youth group Excellent Uncertain Poor

41 Overall Evaluation of Wooster Church Pastor's leadership Worship Community service Church board Youth group Small groups Help for individuals Parking Children's ministries Evangelism Excellent Uncertain Poor

42 Observed to be Most Effective Methods to Bring in New Members Relationships Public evangelism Small groups Bible studies Revelation seminars Youth ministry Community service U.S. Adventists Wooster Carrollton Canton

43 2 - Observed to be Most Effective Methods to Bring in New Members Media ministries Music concerts Health outreach Door-to-door contacts Literature Family life seminar Other U.S. Adventists Wooster Carrollton Canton

44 How Far is Your Home from the Church? Same Zip Code Different Zip in the town Outside of town Different county Canton Carrollton Wooster U.S. Adventists

45 Do you belong to a service club or civic group? Canton Carrollton Wooster Yes No

46 What are the needs in the community that the church should address? Awareness, visibility Hunger, food Youth needs Religious needs No response Canton Carrollton Wooster

47 Number of church members willing to help with outreach ministries Canton Carrollton Wooster Help people find jobs 7 7 Family counseling Parenting classes 2 2 Job training classes 5 5 Health classes Health screening Free clinic 3 2 3

48 Number of church members willing to help with outreach ministries - 2 Canton Carrollton Wooster Twelve-step groups Weight loss group Diabetes support group 4 4 Disaster response team Stress management program After-school tutoring Thrift store 6 1 6

49 Congregational Life Span Research (Averages) Plateau for years Early Growth First years Slow decline over 50 years

50 Analysis n Research has shown that church growth in Adventist churches in the United States comes from: n Community involvement n Vibrant spiritual life n Intentionality (goals, planning) n Positive atmosphere in the congregation n Activities for the unchurched on Sabbaths, such as Pastor s Bible Class, Friend Days or a seeker service & opening the doors (a call)

51 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, The Ministry of Healing, p 143

52 Christ s Method Community assessment Community visibility Community service Friendship Evangelism Discipleship Program Using 21st Century terms instead of 19th Century terms

53 Discussion Questions n How well known and visible is each church in the local community? n What has been done to plow the ground in these communities through serving the needs of the community? n What relationships do church members have in the community that can be a bridge to possible candidates for Bible studies or small group ministries?

54 For Questions n Monte Sahlin, research director for the Ohio Conference of SDAs n montessahlin@gmail.com n (937) n 2013, Center for Creative Ministry