Facts & Trends Survey Archive (2007-2009)
Following are surveys included in Facts & Trends from 2007-2009. (Visit 2004-2006 archive for additional research).
Fall 2009 (Oct., Nov., Dec.)
Lifeway Research reveals top church evangelism activities- When it comes to evangelistic outreach, the most common methods Southern Baptist churches use these days are Vacation Bible School, feeding ministries, visitor follow-up and prayer for people who have not made a decision to receive Christ.
Summer 2009 (July, Aug., Sept.)
Parents value God, worry about money- Most American parents believe things are going well with their families – except when it comes to finances. And a large majority highly values their children having a relationship with God – except when it comes to taking them to worship.
Spring 2009 (April, May, June)
‘Critical ministries’ study reveals pastoral priorities, leadership challenges- A new survey from LifeWay Research has uncovered some fascinating insights about pastors’ priorities in ministry and the challenges they face in finding effective leadership for key ministries.
Winter 2009 (Jan., Feb., March)
Pastors unaware of church member debt- While almost two-thirds of Southern Baptist pastors have preached on stewardship in the past year, a new study shows that few of those pastors believe members of their congregation have a significant amount of debt – revealing a serious disconnect with the realities of American family life.
November/December 2008
Study examines challenges within smaller churches- Most pastors of smaller-membership Southern Baptist churches see what God is calling their congregations to be and do and have laid the groundwork for accomplishing the mission, but their efforts to lead are frustrated by "turf" battles and a failure to clarify and evaluate plans.
September/October 2008
Survey focuses on views of homosexuality; impact on outreach- Americans hold contradictory opinions on the issue of homosexuality, including whether homosexual behavior is sinful. A similar percentage of Americans consider homosexual behavior sinful to those who do not, and neither view gains a majority, according to a study by LifeWay Research. The study also found that Americans’ views of homosexuality impacts their openness to participation in a church.
July/August 2008
Economy pinching most churches, but giving still strong- Results of a LifeWay Research study show that giving in churches is still strong despite the challenging economy.
May/June 2008
Evangelism must begin beyond the sanctuary - Results of a LifeWay Research study show that many unchurched adults won't attend church. Therefore evangelism efforts must begin outside the church doors.
March/April 2008
Unchurched Americans Turned Off By Church, Open To Christians - Results of a LifeWay Research study show that most of the 'unchurched' in America consider religion to be about rituals, but are open to hearing the personal testimonies of Christians.
January/February 2008
Under-40 Messengers at SBC 'Declining Precipitously' - Results of a LifeWay Research study show the percentage of messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention in the 18-39 age group has steadily declined since 1980 and has dropped sharply since 2004. Is the lack of under-40 messengers cause for concern?
November/December 2007
LifeWay Research Uncovers Reasons 18 To 22-Year-Olds Drop Out Of Church - Results of a LifeWay Research study show that more than two-thirds of young adults who attend a Protestant church for at least a year in high school will stop attending church regularly for at least a year between the ages of 18 and 22. LifeWay Research explores why young adults drop out of church.
September/October 2007
LifeWay Research Examines Teenagers’ Views On Eternity - Results from this LifeWay Research study indicate that many American teenagers are confused about what it takes to get to heaven.
July/August 2007
LifeWay Research Examines 'Church Switchers,' Why They Flee - This study builds on LifeWay Research’s 2006 study of the formerly churched, which explored the reasons adults stop going to church. The current findings explain why people change churches and how these situations differ from those in which the individual does not resume church attendance at all.
May/June 2007
Encouragement For Evangelism: LifeWay Research Studies 19 Standout Churches - LifeWay Research made it a priority to investigate Southern Baptist churches who are effective in reaching people for Christ and baptism. Out of more than 43,000 churches in the SBC, 22 met LifeWay Research's criteria of a "standout church" based on data they reported annually. Of these 22 churches, 19 agreed to have several staff members and lay leaders participate in a process of one-on-one interviews. So what exactly do these 19 standout churches have in common?
March/April 2007
LifeWay Research Surveys Formerly Churched; Can The Church Close The Back Door? - In the summer of 2006, LifeWay Research conducted a survey of 469 "formerly churched adults" - those who regularly attended a Protestant church as an adult in the past but who no longer do so. The objective of the survey was to better understand why people stop attending church - and what it would take to bring them back. The results indicate that, while some losses may be inevitable, opportunities abound for churches to hold on to members who are headed for the door.
January/February 2007
Survey Examines Evangelism Efforts, Community Outreach Of Churches - How involved are U.S. Protestant churches in evangelism and community outreach? What obstacles hold them back from being even more involved? Senior ministers were asked about the activities their church held in the past year specifically for the purpose of evangelism, as well as what types of community outreach and programs the church offered.