Comments on: Attracting newcomers

By: dan

dan — Thu, 30 Dec 2004 06:06:11 +0000

I agree Bryan, very difficult to analyse these figures. The statistician in me begins to ask all sorts of questions about the robustness of the survey and all of the different variables.

However, if we could get some reliable information about what expressions are more likely to assist our mission, then I think this would be valuable. I don’t know whether we can, and my experience is that too often it becomes a join the dots approach to church programming.

I guess that I will leave it at the statement - to the extent that it is useful, I found this interesting.

By: bryan

bryan — Thu, 30 Dec 2004 01:55:16 +0000

Dan, I’m not sure if I understand how 9.5 percent is *that* much worse than 9.6 percent. Indeed, about half of the list of “below average” are just below by a couple of 10ths of a percent, hardly much when you are talking about some churches with perhaps 100 people.

I think it’s awful hard to break apart things churches are doing and compare what is working and what is not by these types of lists. For instance, in a community with a large population of elderly, perhaps an age-group approach would draw greater numbers of such people. But in a community of younger people with several children, a nursery ministry on Friday nights might be a greater draw.

This seems like part of that endless need to quantify that kills the spirit of so many churches.

By: phil

phil — Thu, 23 Dec 2004 07:35:38 +0000

It is ok guys. I am happy to take credit for Dan’s posts. It is just that she is not happy to take credit (or blame) for my posts

By: Homer Paxton

Homer Paxton — Thu, 23 Dec 2004 06:16:24 +0000

double oops.

however the message remaains the same

By: Digger

Digger — Thu, 23 Dec 2004 03:33:14 +0000

Oops, sorry Dan!

By: dan

dan — Thu, 23 Dec 2004 03:30:56 +0000

Guys, this was actually one of my posts…

By: Digger

Digger — Thu, 23 Dec 2004 03:29:12 +0000

Thanks for the heads up on the stats Phil-its always interesting to know whats going on in the wider church body.

What you said about not many ‘emerging’ churches being into doing Alpha type activities. I have sensed this too-and I wonder why that is?

I’m not a massive fan of trying to explain Christianity in a course-I believe its something explained as you live out your life. But having said that i do think people do need to provived with an oppurtunity to ‘hear and respond’, to commit to following Jesus.

Thats the value in those kind of courses I reckon. Any other thoughts?

By: Homer Paxton

Homer Paxton — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 02:01:12 +0000

Phil,
If you have someone in your church who knows how to compare proportions then it is well worthwhile comparing your church’s results with the overall results.
You can even ask for denominational results as well.

you get to know both your Church’s strengths and weaknesses.
It enables you to plan your sermon guide a bit better