Blog

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.

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.

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.

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

Growing into Spiritual Maturity

Ministering as Christ Did

Adventist Education and Views on Salvation

The Importance of Support Systems at Church

Connecting at Church: Young People

Can a local church prevent the loss of young people and ensure that they feel more connected to church?

Can Discipleship Be Measured? Quantitative Research in the SPD

Qualitative Research on Discipleship in the SPD

The Role of Thinking Climate in a Local Church

A Warm Church Part 2: The Early Church Model

A Warm and Caring Church Part 1

Continued Church Attendance

Drawing in New Church Members

A Cheerful Giver: Mission Offering Giving Habits

The Christmas Season: A Time of Recommitment

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