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Using the Internet and Mobile Devices for Spiritual Growth

In this world of technology access to Bible study plans, Sabbath School quarterlies, devotionals, and other faith growing opportunities is only a button click away. It is easy to listen to the Bible while driving in the car or to study the Sabbath School quarterly as waiting for the bus. While many church members have access to such resources through their phone or other mobile device, researchers questioned if they use these resources to grow their faith. In today's blog we are looking at data regarding the usage of mobile devices and faith growing activities.

A Mother’s Influence on Spiritual Formation

Mothers. Where would we be without them? The obvious answer is, “We wouldn’t exist!” But in a deeper sense, mothers do so much more than merely give us life. They have the potential to shape and mold us, crafting us into the people we become. Even more, research continues to point to the central role that mothers play in the spiritual formation of their children.

Social Media Usage: Adventist Trends Worldwide

Do you read or respond to social media? How do you feel about Adventist social media? Do you read it? Do you respond to it? How about other Christian social media? Do you use these resources? Today's blog is examining exactly these kind of questions. Are you curious how Adventists around the world answer these questions?

Applying Our Relationship with Christ: GCMS Faith Maturity Results

Throughout His ministry, Jesus served His Father by loving and caring for those in need. Do you love others like Jesus did? What practical applications does your faith have? How does your relationship with Christ impact your life and your surroundings? Let's see how Adventists around the world feel regarding the practical application of their faith?

Methods of Learning About the Mission Offering: The Role of Sabbath School Material

How do you learn about the current mission projects for the mission offering? Do you check your Sabbath School Study Guide to find out information about the current mission project? Or do you enjoy watching the Mission Spotlight? Today's blog will discover how Adventist church members learn about the mission offering in their locale church.

A Relationship with Christ: Global Trends 2013 vs. 2018

What is your image of God? Do you see him as a distant God? Someone who reigns in heaven and demands obedience? Or do you think of God as your friend? Someone who wants to have a relationship with you and cares about you deeply? In today's blog, we are looking at global trends and views on our relationship with God.

The Gift of Salvation

Ephesians 2:8 (ESV) says: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." Do you truly believe that you are saved by receiving the gift of salvation, given through Jesus? Do you believe that you have to do something to earn that salvation or do you seek to deserve it? Our blog today will examine global views and beliefs on several aspects of salvation.

Global Personal Prayer habits: 2013 vs. 2018

Is prayer important to you? Do you believe in the power of prayer? Is personal prayer part of your daily life? 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIRV) says: "But they make themselves low in my sight. They pray and look to me. And they turn from their evil ways. Then I will listen to them from heaven. I will forgive their sin. And I will heal their land. After all, they are my people." Let us find out how important prayer is to our Adventist church members.

Pastors' Leadership Styles

Pastors are regular people serving God in their personality and leadership style. What leadership style does your pastor have? Have you ever wondered if your pastor's leadership style fits your local church needs? Today's blog looks at pastors' leadership styles and their impact on church health.

Is Bigger Better?

Church buildings and congregations come in all shapes and sizes. What does your church look like? Do you attend a smaller congregation or a larger congregation? Are you satisfied with your local church? Today's blog looks at different church sizes and explores the impact of church size on church life and satisfaction.

Family Worship Trends: 2013 vs 2018

Have you ever wondered if Family Worship is still a priority in Adventist families? We get so busy in our family life. Do we take the time to share Jesus with our kids outside of church and Sabbath school? Do we share with them how God helped us during challenges that were placed in our way? The Bible tells us in Matthew 18:20 (NIV):"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Let's take a look and find out how important Family Worship is in our Adventist families.

A Spiritually Vibrant Adventist Home

When you think about someone who influenced your faith development who do you think of? Do you think of a family member or a friend? Do you remember having conversations about your faith with your parents or your children? Adventist homes can be spiritually vibrant places that nurture people and their faith development. Is your home such a place?

Global Spirit of Prophecy Reading Habits

Ellen G. White’s writings are our legacy and still essential to the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Her writings shed light on the Bible and provide many benefits for growing in our relationship with Jesus. Do Adventist church members value her writings? Do they read her works? Do they apply to their daily lives what they learn from her writings? Today's blog in her Birthday month will answer some of these questions.

Global Research on Adventist Young People: Involvement in Church Life and Ministries

To see young people involved in church life and ministries is one of the most desired goals of any Christian church. Young people bring life and hope to religious communities. 40% off all survey respondents in the 2018 Global Church Member Survey were young Adventists.Having this interesting group participate, helped us learn more about their involvement in church life and ministry.

People behind Numbers: Innovative Approach to Membership Auditing by the South American Division

Are church members really missed, when they don't attend church? How long does it take before we are realizing when a person is no longer attending church? I admit I sit in the same row every Sabbath morning and I do notice when someone is missing in the row before me or behind me, but I don't really know who is missing in the rows farther behind me. Church attendance numbers are important because the people behind these numbers are the most important and valued in God's eyes.

Global Views on End-Time Prophecies

Have you ever wondered when Jesus will come again? As Adventists, we study Daniel and Revelation. We talk about the signs of time and end-time prophecies. Does this knowledge affect your daily life? Do you feel an urgency to prepare for His coming, or do you live life to the fullest, not even thinking about it? Today's blog will examine some of these questions.

Coming Again! Global Views on the Second Coming of Jesus

What are your thoughts regarding the Second Coming of Jesus? As Seventh-day Adventists we believe that Jesus will come again, but how soon? How do Adventist church members around the globe feel about the Second Coming of Jesus. Are they anticipating His Return in their lifetime? Do you believe He will come soon?

The Role of Seventh-day Adventist Education in Youth Retention

Have you ever wondered, if your commitment to Adventist education is really worth it? As Adventist parents, we want the best for our children's development physically and spiritually. When we look at Adventist education, are there measurable benefits for our children, besides receiving an education? Today's blogs will answer some of these questions.

The Importance of Family Involvement in Community Service, Church, and Family Worships

Do Adventists build strong relationships within their families? Do they attend or facilitate religious activities? What does the data from the 2018 Global Church Member Survey tell us about our Adventist families?

Have You Looked at the Meta-Analysis Report on the 2018 Global Church Member Survey?

You may have been ask what generation Adventist you are and how large your congregation is that you attend, but have you ever wondered about the average size of an Adventist church congregation on the global level? We are a worldwide Church and thanks to the Meta-Analysis Report, which is now available online, we can answer questions on many aspects of our church life. Today's blog focuses on the report and how it can be useful to leaders and you.

Truly Knowing Him: Global Acceptance of the Trinity

The concept of the Trinity has long been debated and can be confusing at times. Today's blog looks at data that shows how current Adventists relate to and understand this subject.

The Worldwide Church: Views on Creation

God created the heavens and the earth. Did He really do that in six literal days? Today's blog compares data from 2013 to the newest data collected in 2018 on how Adventist view the concept of creation.

Nurture & Retention Summit: Building Healthy Relationships

A couple of months ago, the General Conference hosted the 2019 Nurture and Retention Summit – gathering over 100 church leaders from around the world to discuss issues related to retaining and nurturing Adventist church members. This blog is especially looking at the importance of "Building Healthy Relationships with Members and Former Members", which was the title of Dr. David Trim's presentation.

Church Members’ Involvement in Ministry and Community

How much are Adventists involved in their churches? Are they participating in outreach activities? Are they active in their communities?

Commitment and Satisfaction in the Adventist Church

Are Adventist church members satisfied with their local churches? Are they committed to the Adventist Church?

Global Trends on Alcohol and Tobacco Use

So, do Adventists drink alcohol or smoke tobacco? And why shouldn't they? In honor of World No Tobacco Day this blog examines fresh data on tobacco and alcohol consumption from a global survey of Adventist church members.

Earthly Families: A Reflection of the Family in Heaven

In view of Mother's day, we look at church members worldwide and their relationship with their parents in light of new data from a 2018 survey.

Global Data on Church Members and Diet

As part of the 2018 Global Church Member Survey (GCMS), church members around the world were asked about their diet...what did they say?

Global Data on Church Members and the Adventist Health Message

To what extent do Adventist Church members embrace the Health Message?

Childhood Adverse Experiences, Mental Health, and the Adventist Church

As a church, it is time to remove the stigma associated with mental illness.

New Data: Views on the Doctrine of the Sanctuary

Do SDA church members embrace the Sanctuary doctrine? Moreover, do they truly understand it?

Global Trends on Family Worship and Prayer Meeting Attendance

Unfortunately, there has been a decline in the number of church members engaging in family worship over the last five years...

Global Survey: Sabbath School Habits

Consider the importance of Sabbath School preparation and participation: are SDA church members taking advantage of this opportunity for spiritual growth?

New Data from Global Church Member Survey: Views on State of the Dead

Today, we look at more data from the Global Church Member questions about one key SDA Fundamental Belief: the state of the dead.

Global Views on the State of the Dead

In comparison to other Christian denominations, Adventists have a unique perspective on death. Most other denominations believe that a person—or at least their soul—goes to heaven when they die. What do Adventist believe? And to what degree do church members worldwide understand and embrace this belief?

Global Views on the Sabbath

The seventh-day Sabbath is one of the key pillars of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and is one of the beliefs that sets it apart from other Protestant denominations. What do SDA church members worldwide report about their experience with the Sabbath? To what degree do they embrace this fundamental belief?

Keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas

If Christ is a central part of our lives, then celebrating Christmas is an extension of that relationship and a celebration of the beginning of Christ’s earthly mission.

Global Trends on Bible Reading and Devotional Practices

This week we look at some fresh data from the 2017-18 Global Church Member Survey! What do SDA church members worldwide say about their Bible reading and devotional practices?

The Writings of Ellen G. White

The Global Church Member Survey (GCMS 2017-18) commissioned by the General Conference examined various aspects of members’ experiences within the Adventist church. One area that was surveyed was exposure to EGW/the Spirit of Prophecy. What does the latest GCMS data tell us about access and exposure to the work of EGW within our large SDA community?

The Importance of Mentoring

A 2014 report titled Leaving the Church examined different elements of former Adventists’ relationship with and departure from the Church. According to this study, almost two thirds (63.5%) of respondents left the church when they were young adults.What can be done about this alarming trend?

Tithing: A Growing Trend

What percentage of SDA Church funds come from tithe? How has this number changed over the last five years? How much has it fluctuated since 1870? Today, we look at an encouraging trend in tithe-giving with the help of the recently published 2018 Annual Statistical Report.

“Being” Church in Buddhist Societies

Whenever we seek to reach those who are part of another culture or faith, it is vital that we follow Christ’s example of meeting people exactly where they are before bringing them to faith. A recent presentation by Greg Whitsett (director of the Center of East Asian Religions and Traditions) examined ways to do just that when working in a Buddhist society.

The 10/40 Window: Statistics

As Seventh-day Adventists, we have placed all of our bets on Jesus’s second coming... Given how much attention, talk, and planning go into this effort of reaching the whole world we must ask ourselves—how are we actually doing?

Barriers to Giving

In a previous blog we examined factors that motivate people to give to church missions. However, one might ask, what are the barriers that prevent members from giving?

Adventists: The People of the Book?

While most Christians would likely say that their faith has nothing in common with Islam, the truth is there are some commonalities.

Seventh-day Adventist Church Member Involvement in Adventist Education

There’s no doubt about it: education is often an indicator of the trajectory one’s life will take. As Reggie McNeal writes in his book Kingdom Come: “...No other endeavor covers as much of the human landscape as education.

Global Views on Characteristics of a Good Pastor

When the rubber meets the road, how do church members perceive their pastor is doing when it comes to these traits? Is he or she demonstrating the characteristics of a “good” pastor?

The Purpose of Business-Related Adventist Institutions: A Kingdom Focus

Adventists have a unique model of ministry. They use many methods – including those outside the four walls of the church – to bring new members to Adventism and win hearts for the Lord.

Global Research: Extrinsic and Intrinsic Religiosity

Continuing to Climb: Faith Maturity Scale

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