Seventh-day Adventist Global Data Picture

52 Pages·2015·5.98 MB·English

Seventh-day Adventist
Global Data Picture
REPORT ON GLOBAL
RESEARCH, 2011–13

ANNUAL COUNCIL, 2013
Five major research projects
—  Over 41,000 interviews or completed questionnaires from all around the
world:
i.  4,260 pastors from all divisions and 93% of unions shared about their
experience in ministry
—  Two surveys on beliefs, attitudes, experiences in the local church, and
spiritual-life practices:
ii.  More than 26,000 church members from 6 continents and 9 divisions
iii.  Almost 1,200 current students/recent graduates—aged 20-30—of
Adventist universities in North America
—  Also:
iv.  Over 900 ex-SDAs shared the experiences that led to them leaving our
ranks
v.  9,000 church-members on four continents responded to surveys as
part of a detailed study of tithing and stewardship practices
Research for the Strategic Plan
—  The research was carried out to inform the global
strategic-planning process.
—  Based on this research, and on assessments provided
by the world divisions, drafting of the 2015–2020
strategic plan has begun.
—  Divisions are working with GC and it is hoped that a
draft will be shared at Spring Meeting.
Research for the Strategic Plan
—  The research was only possible with church leaders’
help, right around the world.
—  An overview of some key trends revealed by the data
is being shared now so that when the strategic plan is
ready to be considered, you will have a sense of why
certain areas were chosen as priorities.
Data is what it is; what it means is something else
—  Don’t shoot the messenger…
—  And don’t be too quick to deny or downplay what the
data may be saying simply because it may not fit with
your own experience
—  There may be multiple interpretations of the data
—  But much of what I am about to share with you is not
what we would like to see; we may disagree about the
whys and wherefores, and maybe even the degree —
but the data is there. We should prayerfully consider
how we can effect positive change.
Gender balance, male and female
43.20%
Male
Female
56.80%
Gender balance, percentages, by division
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
Females
50%
Males
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
ECD IAD NAD SAD SID SPD SSD TED WAD
Total age distribution
5.47%
10.22%
22.85%
15 and under
16-25
29.40% 26-40
41-60
Over 60
32.07%
Age distribution by divisions
100%
90%
80%
Over 60
70%
60%
41-60
50%
26-40
40%
30%
25 and under
20%
10%
0%
ECD IAD NAD SAD SID SPD SSD TED WAD
Church members with some SDA education
Some = 47.42% None = 52.58%
None
Some