Canton, Carrolton & Wooster Seventh-day Adventist Churches A survey report from Monte Sahlin Ohio Conference March 2013
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
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.
Age groups by generation in Canton 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Seniors Baby Boom Gen X Millennial Congregation Community
Age groups by generation in Carrollton 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Seniors Baby Boom Gen X Millennial Congregation Community
Age groups by generation in Wooster 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Seniors Baby Boom Gen X Millennial Congregation Community
Gender in Canton 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Men Congregation Community Women
Gender in Carrollton 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Men Congregation Community Women
Gender in Wooster 53% 52% 51% 5 49% 48% 47% 46% 45% 44% Men Congregation Community Women
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
Annual Household Income in Carrollton 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Under $25,000 $25,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 or more Congregation Community
Annual Household Income in Wooster 6 5 4 3 2 1 Under $25,000 $25,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 or more Congregation Community
Level of education in Canton 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 No secondary diploma Secondary diploma College degree Graduate degree Congregation Community
Level of education in Carrollton 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 No secondary diploma Secondary diploma College degree Graduate degree Congregation Community
Level of education in Wooster 6 5 4 3 2 1 No secondary diploma Secondary diploma College degree Graduate degree Congregation Community
Marital status in Canton 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Married Never married Divorced Widowed Congregation Community
Marital status in Carrollton 5 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Married Never married Divorced Widowed Congregation Community
Marital status in Wooster 45% 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% Married Never married Divorced Widowed Congregation Community
Ethnicity in Canton 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Asian Black Hispanic White Others Congregation Community
Ethnicity in Carrollton 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Asian Black Hispanic White Others Congregation Community
Ethnicity in Wooster 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Asian Black Hispanic White Others Congregation Community
Immigrants 25% 2 15% 1 5% Canton Carrollton Wooster Congregation Community
Attendance 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 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
Adventist membership and background 6 5 4 3 2 1 Raised as an Adventist Not a member Canton Carrollton Wooster U.S. Adventists
Tenure as a Baptized Adventist 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Less than 5 years Five to 10 years 11 to 20 years More than 20 years Canton Carrollton Wooster U.S. Adventist Churches
How much does worship at this church help you with everyday life? 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Greatly Some Not much Canton Carrollton Wooster U.S. Adventist Churches
How much have you grown in your faith in the last year? 6 5 Canton Carrollton Wooster U.S. Adventists 4 3 2 1 Through this church Through another group Through private activities Some growth No real growth ---------Much growth---------
Assurance of Salvation 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Certain or very certain Not certain Canton Carrollton Wooster North American Adventists
Conversations with Coworkers about Personal Needs or Spiritual Topics 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Almost daily Once a week Once in a while Never or rarely Canton Carrollton Wooster US Adventists
Church Involvement 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Has a ministry role Attends SS class Participates in a small group Gave Bible studies Canton Carrollton Wooster North American Adventists
How Do You Calculate Tithe? Do not tithe 17% After taxes 35% Other 13% Before taxes 47%
Giving Styles 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Habitual Intentional Reactive Canton Carrollton Wooster US Adventists
Evaluation of Sermons Encouraging spiritual growth Bible content Encouraging witnessing Relevance to everyday life Stimulating thought Addressing social problems 2 4 6 8 10 Do very well Fairly well Not at all
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 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Describes very well Not sure Describes poorly or not at all
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 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Describes very well Not sure Describes poorly or not at all
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 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Describes very well Not sure Describes poorly or not at all
Strong sense of belonging to this local church 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 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
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
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 2 4 6 8 10 Excellent Uncertain Poor
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 2 4 6 8 10 Excellent Uncertain Poor
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 2 4 6 8 10 Excellent Uncertain Poor
Observed to be Most Effective Methods to Bring in New Members Relationships Public evangelism Small groups Bible studies Revelation seminars Youth ministry Community service 1 2 3 4 5 6 U.S. Adventists Wooster Carrollton Canton
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 1 2 3 4 5 6 U.S. Adventists Wooster Carrollton Canton
How Far is Your Home from the Church? 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Same Zip Code Different Zip in the town Outside of town Different county Canton Carrollton Wooster U.S. Adventists
Do you belong to a service club or civic group? 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Canton Carrollton Wooster Yes No
What are the needs in the community that the church should address? Awareness, visibility Hunger, food Youth needs Religious needs No response 2 4 6 8 Canton Carrollton Wooster
Number of church members willing to help with outreach ministries Canton Carrollton Wooster Help people find jobs 7 7 Family counseling 6 2 6 Parenting classes 2 2 Job training classes 5 5 Health classes 7 2 4 Health screening 6 1 1 Free clinic 3 2 3
Number of church members willing to help with outreach ministries - 2 Canton Carrollton Wooster Twelve-step groups 6 2 5 Weight loss group 4 3 8 Diabetes support group 4 4 Disaster response team 10 2 7 Stress management program 5 3 6 After-school tutoring 11 0 7 Thrift store 6 1 6
Congregational Life Span Research (Averages) Plateau for 25-40 years Early Growth First 25-40 years Slow decline over 50 years
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)
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
Christ s Method Community assessment Community visibility Community service Friendship Evangelism Discipleship Program Using 21st Century terms instead of 19th Century terms
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?
For Questions n Monte Sahlin, research director for the Ohio Conference of SDAs n montessahlin@gmail.com n (937) 748-9075 n 2013, Center for Creative Ministry