Recent Polls II

In some recent polls the numbers came out like this - for those who responded:

In response to their favorite grocery store:

Safeway is the choice for food - by 44%
Giant came in second at 21%

As we plan Small groups this fall

65% of respondents were looking for a small group this fall

Prayer life is pretty evenly split:

30% spend 0-5 minutes a day speaking with God
28% spend 5-15 minutes
28% spend 15-30 minutes

5% said they spend 2 hours or more in prayer

As we plan a third service the following were the results:

52% said Sunday night would be best
20% said Wednesday
17% said Saturday
8% said Friday

Back at Prayer Life - people responded:

45% said their prayer life was sporadic
22% said too short
14% said vital to my walk with Jesus
14% said non-existent
2% said it was too self-centered

If Married, which marriage?

85% said they were in their first marriage

Marriage is a...

40% said a religious arrangement
40% said a legal arrangement

Recent Poll Results

Recent polls indicated - from those who responded...

53% believe the United Methodist Church is headed in the right direction.
28% believe it is not
19% believe it is too early to tell

54% like the new look on my blog page
25% could take it or leave it
21% don't like it

49% get between 6-8 hours a sleep a night
35% get between 4-6 hours
The rest get more or less

36% work between 60-69 hours a week
18% work between 50-59
18% work between 40-49
13% work 29 or under
10% work 70 or over
5% work 30-39

Marriages

It seems apparent that we need some teaching and some modeling around the area of marriage. Although 64% of those who responded said they would grade their marriage an A or B, 36% graded there marriage a C or less with 16% grading their marriage an F.

With anonymity could we share what makes our marriages an A or B and what makes our marriages a C or less and even an F?

How can the church help? Or can they?

Recent Polls

You may ask why I do so many polls. One reason is to keep current with where the congregation is on certain topics. For instance, on one recent poll 64% of those who responded said men suffer with pornography and lust as their main sin. This will help us focus our ministry to the men in our church and community.

Another poll was a blessing to me to hear that 85% said that their marriage and the birth of their children was the second blessing after their salvation. What a joy!

Another poll that is still current asks folks to grade their marriage. So far of those who have responded 61% say their marriage would grade an A or B. Another 16% graded their marriage as a C. Unfortunately 4% graded their marriage a D and another 16% graded their marriage as an F. I can see some marriage courses being offered in small group coming! And a sermon series as well.

Our Sins

Those who responded to our "What sins are yours" poll - listed the following;

56% - Gossip
54% - Lust
50% - Foul Language
49% - Anger/Hatred
47% - Pride
41% - Pornography
37% - Others
33% - Envy
32% - Sexual Impurity
30% - Gluttony

And others...

Were your sins listed? Did this poll and the thread about sin help you and draw you unto repentance, realizing that God would forgive you? Do you not feel so isolated and that your sin can be forgiven?

The Election

The Presidential Election this year, like most, is stirring up a lot of controversy and discussion. In a recent poll, those who responded said the following were the main issues.

80% - Economy
67% - Energy
65% - Iraq
61% - Immigration
53% - Abortion
53% - Homeland Security
50% - Health Care
46% - Education
46% - Definition of Marriage

And more... What is your opinion?

Recent Polls

In recent polls the following were the results of those who responded...

When asked to finish the sentence - Vision is . . . 60% responded that vision is essential while another 32% said it was important. Thus 92% of those who responded said vision is from important to essential in our faith journey.

When asked to finish the sentence - I believe the Bible . . . 93% said to be God's Word.

When asked to finish the sentence - A personal relationship with Jesus is . . . 94% said essential.

When asked to finish the sentence - Salvation is through . . . 90% said grace by faith.

Any thoughts?

Recent Polls

Of those who responded - 82% said they appreciated the use of videos in our sermons.

Of those who responded - 68% said they would keep the Homecoming as an annual event.

Of the 32% that said they didn't want it as an annual event - can you share why?

Revival

Of those responding 62% said they planned to attend the Revival while 48% on another poll said they had never been to a revival.

A revival can be many things. It can be an old sawdust camp meeting where the focus is on reaching the lost and saving souls. An awesome event if you have never experienced this type of service.

Our revival will be a time of renewal (although the Gospel is compelling and some may receive Jesus for sure). Renewal revivals are all about renewing our Spirit and uplifting the church to inspire them to be more and more faithful to Jesus.

Won't you attend our revival on July 27-30? The services start at 7 pm each night.

How about some comments about what you have experienced in revival services? There was a long comment in the E-News last week and I will try to cut and paste it for this blog.

Homecoming

Of those who responded 95% said the Homecoming was exactly what was needed.

Most everyone I have spoken to believes it was a success and that it was a great day!

How about some comments about the Homecoming? Would you make it an annual event? Why or why not? Would you be willing to help next year?

If you wouldn't make it a yearly event - why? And how often would you have it?

Future Staff Hire

Of those who responded 67% said if we add a staff member it should be someone to work with our children's ministry and the many volunteers who bless this ministry.

Worship Attendance

Of those who responded 60% said there was no difference in their worship attendance in the summer. Another 19% said there is little difference in their attendance pattern and the same 19% said they make more Sundays than they miss.

What would make your summer attendance better? Would an early morning informal service help? Would shorter services help? Would an outside service by the cross or in the Pavilion help? Would a Saturday or Sunday night service help?

E-News

According to those who responded 43% read the whole E-News when it arrives and another 9% reads it all over time - that is 52% reading all of the E-News - amazing. Another 28% reads the sections that interest them. The E-News is now one year old - I will send out the first ever E-News this coming week to remind us where we have grown since the first publication.

How about some comments about the E-News? What sections do you like or appreciate? What sections do you avoid? What would make it more informative and helpful?

Something about those who responded

Here are some items from those who have responded...

Areas that tempt
50% had issues with anger
46% with overeating and lust
37% with selfishness
28% with control and material things

Most important for presidential candidate
26% leadership
23% faith
18% ideals
15% experience

Who will you vote for?
70% said John McCain
19% Barack Obama
4% other
4% not voting

How often do you exercise
37% rarely
28% four or more times a week

A little about those who responded...

A little about the people who responded to recent polls...

Of those who responded:

50% said they were not sure where they were theologically
18% call themselves Wesleyan
11% call themselves Fundamentalist

67% were raised Protestant
15% did not go to church as a child
9% were non-denominational
7% were Roman Catholic

54% would like to hear sermons about daily Christian living
17% would like to hear sermons on God's grace
14% would like to hear sermons that convict us of sin
11% would like to hear sermons on the promises of God

Are we in a better place today than we were a year ago?

In a recent poll 95% said we were in a better place April 2008 than we were in April 2007. I hope we all agree in April 2009.

The question in the poll sought the opinion of the people. As a church, have we progressed or have we digressed or are we about the same as a year ago in April 2007. If we are the same, we are not growing. If we have digressed, we need to examine why and correct it. If we have progressed, we need to identify why and continue to do it and even improve on it.

This is more than a pastoral change. This is more than a larger group of people. This is seeking to get at the heart of where we are as a church.

Are we in a better place in April 2008 compared to April 2007?

Are we in about the same place in April 2008 compared to April 2007?

Are we not in a better place in April 2008 compared to April 2007?

These are important questions as we seek to grow as a church.

Financial Support and Expense Reduction

In two polls about our financial support and our efforts to reduce our expenses 54% said they would increase their giving by $20 a week while 35% said they would increase their giving $10 a week. 47% said they would help reduce expenses by turning off lights, making sure AC and heat are turned down or off and 31% said they would reduce waste when they found it and 35% said they would do everything they could to help.

Personal Maturity

In a recent poll 54% of those who responded said they were maturing in their faith. Others responded that they were growing slowly (19%) while others (18%) responded that they were growing at a good pace. I pray for each that we would continue to grow in our faith and love for Jesus.

Maturing in the Faith

In a recent poll 37% of those that responded said Bible Study helps them mature the most. Of the other responses that received double digit responses were Personal Study and Accountability with 12% followed by four with 8%: Sermons, Podcasts, Small Groups and Fellowship.

Budget Shortfall

Of those who responded to a recent poll about the budget shortfall 45% said we should pray more and trust God while 31% said we should increase our giving.