Do You Know What’sInside the Mind ofMethodist Hank & Peggy?

Do You Know What’sInside the Mind ofMethodist Hank & Peggy?

Prepared by theOffice of Research & Planning

in cooperation with theU.S. Congregational Life Survey

Next

January 2003

2Previous

How long have you been going to worship services or activities at this congregation?How long have you been going to worship services or activities at this congregation?

Length of time attending Female MaleLess than 1 year 7.2% 8.4%1-2 years 8.0% 9.5%3-5 years 12.6% 13.6%6-10 years 12.8% 13.7%11-20 years 16.3% 18.1%More than 20 years 39.6% 33.6%Visit from another congregation 2.5% 2.2%Visiting but not a member elsewhere 0.9% 0.8%

Next

January 2003

3Previous

Are you regularly involved in any group or congregational activities?Are you regularly involved in any group or congregational activities?

Type of Group Activities Female MaleSunday church school 40.8% 37.6%Prayer, discussion, or Bible study groups 26.1% 17.7%Fellowships, clubs, social groups 42.0% 32.5%Congregation has no group activities 4.2% 6.9%No, not regularly involved 29.4% 34.2%

Type of Congregational Activities Female MaleCommunity service 29.0% 24.7%Evangelism and outreach 19.8% 14.8%No, not regularly involved 51.6% 58.0%

Next

January 2003

4Previous

Do you currently have any of the following roles?Do you currently have any of the following roles?

Female MaleMember of the governing board 13.8% 19.2%Member of a congregational committee or task force 20.3% 18.7%Leading or assisting in worship 9.8% 10.7%Officer or leader of men's, women's, youth, or other group 13.3% 8.3%Choir member, musician, or choir director 18.1% 13.4%Sunday school teacher 14.5% 12.1%None 40.1% 43.9%

Next

January 2003

5Previous

Over the last year, how much have you grown in your faith?Over the last year, how much have you grown in your faith?

Female MaleNo real growth 4.3% 8.0%Some growth 39.0% 46.8%Much growth, mainly through the congregation 36.3% 29.5%Much growth, mainly through other groups or congregations 8.3% 7.3%Much growth, mainly through my own private activities 12.2% 8.5%

Next

January 2003

6Previous

How often do you spend time in private devotional activities?How often do you spend time in private devotional activities?

Female MaleEvery day 55.8% 38.4%A few times a week 20.4% 19.9%Once a week 3.8% 4.7%Occasionally 15.1% 23.7%Hardly ever 4.0% 10.5%Never 0.8% 2.7%

Next

January 2003

7Previous

Do you agree or disagree: “My spiritual needs are being met in this congregation”?

Do you agree or disagree: “My spiritual needs are being met in this congregation”?

Female MaleStrongly Agree 29.2% 25.1%Agree 53.4% 57.3%Disagree 12.5% 13.3%Strongly Disagree 0.6% 0.7%

Next

January 2003

8Previous

Are you currently a member of this congregation?Are you currently a member of this congregation?

Female MaleYes 82.6% 80.6%No, but I'm in the process of becoming a member 1.4% 2.2%No, but I regularly participate here 9.2% 10.1%No 6.8% 7.2%

Next

January 2003

9Previous

Are you involved in any community service, social service or advocacy groups not connected to this congregation?

Are you involved in any community service, social service or advocacy groups not connected to this congregation?

Female MaleYes, social service or charity groups 38.0% 34.4%Yes, advocacy, justice, or lobbying groups 4.4% 6.9%No, I'm not involved with such groups 56.8% 60.1%

Next

January 2003

10Previous

Which of the following describes your readiness to talk to others about your faith?

Which of the following describes your readiness to talk to others about your faith?

Female MaleI do not have faith, so the question is not applicable 0.4% 1.0%I do not talk about my faith; my life and actions are sufficient 11.0% 15.3%I find it hard to express my faith in ordinary language 14.1% 18.8%I mostly feel at ease talking about my faith and do so if it comes up 60.9% 53.5%I feel at ease talking about my faith and seek opportunities to do so 13.6% 11.4%

Next

January 2003

11Previous

Would you be prepared to invite to a worship service here any of your friends and relatives who do not now attend a congregation?

Would you be prepared to invite to a worship service here any of your friends and relatives who do not now attend a congregation?

Female MaleYes, and I have done so past 12 months 55.7% 45.7%Yes, but I have not done so in the past 12 months 34.6% 38.5%Don't know 6.2% 10.6%No, probably not 3.1% 4.5%No, definitely not 0.3% 0.6%

Next

January 2003

12Previous

Which best describes your involvement in the making of important decisions in the congregation?

Which best describes your involvement in the making of important decisions in the congregation?

Female MaleI have been given the opportunity and often participate in decision-making 20.3% 25.5%I have been given the opportunity and occasionally get involved in decision-making 27.4% 23.8%I have been given the opportunity, but don't usually get involved in decision-making 29.4% 26.2%I have not been given the opportunity to be involved and this is fine with me 18.9% 20.1%I have not been given the opportunity to be involved and I am not happy about this 4.1% 4.4%

Next

January 2003

13Previous

Do you have a strong sense of belonging to this congregation?Do you have a strong sense of belonging to this congregation?

Female MaleYes, a strong sense of belonging that is growing 51.0% 48.0%Yes, a strong sense, about the same as last year 26.5% 28.0%Yes, but perhaps not as strong as in the past 10.1% 8.6%No, and I wish I did by now 2.8% 2.6%No, but I am happy as I am 3.1% 4.5%Don't know or not applicable 3.3% 3.9%

Next

January 2003

14Previous

While you may value many different styles of music, which of the following do you prefer in congregational worship?

While you may value many different styles of music, which of the following do you prefer in congregational worship?

Female MaleTraditional hymns 78.3% 76.0%Praise music 42.0% 31.3%Contemporary hymns 22.9% 23.4%Other contemporary music (not hymns) 11.4% 11.9%Sung responsorial psalms 1.9% 1.6%Classical music 9.9% 11.2%Contemplative chants (Taize, Iona) 0.3% 0.4%Music or songs from a variety of cultures 5.5% 1.8%African-American gospel music 3.4% 4.0%No music or songs 0.0% 0.5%

Next

January 2003

15Previous

To what extent do the worship services or activities of the congregation help you with everyday living?

To what extent do the worship services or activities of the congregation help you with everyday living?

Female MaleA great extent 51.0% 38.3%Some extent 40.5% 48.6%A small extent 7.0% 10.7%Not at all 1.6% 2.3%

Next

January 2003

16Previous

Which of the following aspects of your congregation do you value most?Which of the following aspects of your congregation do you value most?

Female MaleWider community care or social justice emphasis 12.8% 14.7%Reaching those who do not attend church 12.6% 13.5%Traditional style of worship or music 40.7% 42.0%Contemporary style of worship or music 11.2% 13.1%Sharing in Holy Communion/Lord's Supper 38.5% 31.3%Social activities or meeting new people 15.1% 15.2%Sermons or preaching 40.5% 41.0%Bible study or prayer groups, other discussion groups 16.2% 12.9%Ministry for children or youth 20.4% 19.8%Prayer ministry for one another 15.6% 9.9%Practical care for one another in times of need 20.0% 15.2%The congregation's school or preschool 3.0% 3.4%Openness to social diversity 5.8% 7.3%Adult church-school 9.6% 9.8%

Next

January 2003

17Previous

Do you have any close friends in this congregation?Do you have any close friends in this congregation?

Female MaleNo, I have little contact with others from this congregation outside of activities here 7.8% 9.0%No, I have some friends in this congregation, but my closest friends are not involved here 15.1% 15.9%Yes, I have some close friends here as well as other close friends who are not part of this congregation 62.3% 61.7%Yes, most of my friends are part of this congregation 14.8% 13.4%

Next

January 2003

18Previous

What is the highest education level you have completed?What is the highest education level you have completed?

Female MaleNo formal schooling 0.2% 0.3%Primary school through 8th grade (K - 8) 1.7% 2.7%Some high school 6.4% 7.2%Completed high school 41.2% 29.7%Trade certificate 61.3% 38.7%Associate degree 10.8% 7.8%Bachelors degree from a university or college 22.6% 27.6%Masters, doctorate, or other graduate degree 11.4% 18.6%

Next

January 2003

19Previous

What is your present marital status?What is your present marital status?

Female MaleNever Married 9.0% 10.7%In first marriage 51.2% 62.7%Remarried after divorce 11.7% 14.1%Remarried after death of spouse 2.5% 3.2%Living in a committed relationship 1.4% 1.6%Separated 0.6% 0.6%Divorced 5.9% 3.6%Widowed 17.5% 3.4%

Next

January 2003

20Previous

Which statement best describes the people who currently live in your household?

Which statement best describes the people who currently live in your household?

Female MaleI live alone 20.9% 7.5%A couple without children 33.5% 42.2%One adult with child/children 4.3% 3.5%2 or more adults with child/children 34.1% 40.0%Some adults living in the same household 7.1% 6.7%

Next

January 2003

21Previous

What is your age?What is your age?

Female MaleLess than 12 0.2% 0.5%13-18 3.9% 5.5%19-30 5.6% 5.8%31-39 9.5% 9.3%40-49 18.4% 20.5%50-59 15.9% 16.6%60-69 16.8% 15.9%70-79 18.4% 17.9%80-89 10.2% 7.2%90-97 1.1% 0.7%

Next

January 2003

22Previous

Do You Know United Methodist Congregations?Do You Know United Methodist Congregations?

Prepared by:

Office of Research & Planning601 West Riverview Avenue

Dayton, Ohio 45406-5543T: (937) 227-9400 F: (937) 227-

9407E-mail: research@gcom-umc.org

URL: http://www.gcom-umc.org/research/