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Christ’s Missionin Hacienda Heights
A report byElder Monte SahlinSenior ConsultantCenter for Creative MinistryJuly 2009
Goals of this Studyn Provide an assessment of the
Seventh-day Adventist mission in Hacienda Heights
n Profile the life and vitality of the Hacienda Heights Church
n Find ways to reach the communityn Put information on the table for
future planning
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Outlinen Background & trendsn The mission fieldn Congregational surveyn Analysis & recommendations
Backgroundn Hacienda Heights Church began with the
outreach of three members from the Baldwin Park Church
n Organized in 1959 with 44 membersn 1963 – Obtained building at this locationn 1968 – Pathfinders collected canned
goods for the poor—15 collect 200 itemsn 1969 – 100 children attended VBS; half of
them from non-member families
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Backgroundn 1969 – Don Doleman evangelism campaign
baptizes 20 peoplen 1971 – Community health outreach with help
from Loma Linda Universityn 1974 – Positive Way campaign results in 17
baptismsn 1975 – Ervin Beasley evangelism campaign—no
baptisms reportedn 1983 – Marcus Payne evangelism campaign—no
baptisms reported
Membership & Accessions
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
1959 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Membership Baptisms
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Total Yearly Tithe
*Projection based on the first six months of the year.
Membership Analysis
No address19%
Inactive18%
Shut-in or away3%
Out of area17%
Attend regularly
43%
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Hacienda Heights as a Mission Fieldn Hacienda Heights has 57,500 people
living in 17,100 householdsn One Adventist for 537 people
n USA: 1 to 305n New Guinea: 1 to 25n Zambia: 1 to 22n Jamaica: 1 to 14n Belize: 1 to 10
Who are the people living in this community?
Gray area = 11 other segments with very small
numbers.
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“Prosperous Diversity” Householdsn Predominantly adults in their 30sn High numbers of children, working mothersn High numbers of Asians and Pacific Islandersn Needs—Parenting skills, Fulfilling marriage, Time
for recreation, Good schools, Satisfying jobn More secular in general, but higher preference
for Judaism, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Adventist and Catholic churches
n Want churches that offer Church school, Parent training classes, Marriage enrichment, Contemporary music
“Large, Young Families”n Mostly people under 40n High numbers of children under 15n Higher percentages of Blue Collar workers and
military familiesn Above median incomen More involved in religion, especially Mormon,
Nondenominational, Holiness, New Age and Jehovah’s Witnesses groups
n Interested in churches with Church school, Day care, Marriage Enrichment, Youth activities and Family outings and activities
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“Educated, Mid-life Families”n Middle-aged, two-career marriages, college
education, upper-middle income bracketn Professionals, manager, small businessesn More secular; less involved in religionn More interested in Eastern religions, Unitarian,
Judaism, Presbyterian, Congregational faithsn Primary needs—Fulfilling marriage, Care for
aging parents, Parenting skills, Good schoolsn Interested in churches with Marriage
enrichment, Cultural programs, Sports/camping, Traditional worship style
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2014 is an estimate
Population Growth
53,079 53,694
57,46860,422
1990 2000 2009 2014
Age Groups
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Under 5 Under 18 Age 65 and older
Hacienda Heights National
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Ethnic Minorities
0%5%
10%
15%20%
25%30%35%40%
45%
Asian Black Hispanic
Hacienda HeightsNational
Immigrants
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Foreign born Speak anotherlanguage at home
Hacienda HeightsNational
10
Housing
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Hacienda HeightsNational
Education
0%5%
10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%
Secondary diploma College degree
Hacienda HeightsNational
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Married
50%
52%
54%
56%
58%
60%
62%
64%
Men Women
Hacienda HeightsNational
Special Needs
0%2%4%6%8%
10%12%14%16%18%20%
Disabled Veterans
Hacienda HeightsNational
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Median Household Income
$61,409
$42,257
$73,259
$52,599
2000 2008
Hacienda HeightsNational
Poverty
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
Individuals belowpoverty line
Families belowpoverty line
Hacienda HeightsNational
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Cost of Housing$1,480
$1,088
$342 $295
Median monthlymortgage
Median monthlyrent/lease
Hacienda HeightsNational
Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Religious Preferences of Hacienda Heights Residents
Other12%
Evangelical23%
Protestant19%
Catholic22%
No religion24%
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Religious Involvement of Hacienda Heights Residents
0%5%
10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%
Strongly Involved SomewhatInvolved
Not Involved
Hacienda Heights National
Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Religious Involvement of Hacienda Heights Residents
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
Increased Involvement inLast 10 Years
Decreased Involvement inLast 10 Years
Hacienda Heights National
Source: Percept Group, Inc.
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Top Needs in the Community
n 56% Achieving financial securityn 40% Maintaining personal healthn 33% Neighborhood crime & safetyn 30% Day-to-day financial worriesn 30% Finding time for recreationn 28% Dealing with stressn 28% Finding good schoolsn 25% Achieving a fulfilling marriage
Source: Percept Group, Inc.
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Needs in the Communityn 21% Dealing with teen/child problemsn 20% Finding a satisfying job/careern 20% Getting health insurancen 20% Obtaining better quality health caren 19% Developing parenting skillsn 18% Planning retirement opportunitiesn 17% Dealing with neighborhood gangsn 16% Finding a jobn 16% Caring for aging parentsn 16% Finding friends
Source: Percept Group, Inc.
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Needs in the Communityn 14% Finding direction in my lifen 13% Dealing with racial/ethnic prejudicen 13% Problems with schooln 12% Alcohol/drug addictionn 11% Finding affordable housingn 11% Dealing with social injusticen 10% Finding a good church
Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Low-priority Needs in the Community
n 9% Abusive relationshipsn 9% Getting an educationn 9% Finding spiritual teachingn 7% Affordable child caren 6% Obtaining adequate foodn 3% Dealing with divorce
Source: Percept Group, Inc.
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Church Programs People Want
n 39% Family activities & outingsn 36% Youth activitiesn 34% Bible study & prayer groupn 23% Active retirement programn 21% Music/art/drama programsn 21% Family & personal counselingn 19% Doctrinal study groupn 17% Marriage enrichment seminar
Source: Percept Group, Inc.
Church Programs People Want
n 11% Care for the terminally illn 11% Parent training classn 10% Spiritual retreatsn 8% Day caren 8% Sports or campingn 6% Church school (day school)n 6% Clothing & food for the needyn 4% 12-step group for addictionsn 2% Divorce Recovery program
Source: Percept Group, Inc.
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Church Program Preferences Index
1511
-13-16
Personaldevelopment
Recreation Social services Spiritualdevelopment
Source: Percept Group, Inc.
How I prefer for churches to contact me …
Source: Percept Group, Inc.
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Survey of Congregationn A standard questionnaire was distributed
during worship on three Sabbaths in June 2009.
n A total of 97 usable questionnaires were returned which represents 73% of average attendance for those three Sabbaths—a very strong response rate well above minimum professional standards and a highly reliable sample
Age groups by generation
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Before Boomers Baby Boom Gen X Millennial
Congregation Community
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Gender
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Men WomenCongregation Community
Occupation
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Professional,managerial
White Collarworkers
Blue Collarworkers
Not in the laborforce
Congregation Community
22
Level of education
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
No secondarydiploma
Secondarydiploma
College degree Graduatedegree
Congregation Community
Marital status
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Married Nevermarried
Divorced Separated Widowed
Congregation Community
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Ethnicity
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Asian Black Hispanic White Others
Congregation Community
Citizenship at birth
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
USA OthersCongregation Community
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Attendance
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
None One out of lastfour weeks or less
Two out of lastfour weeks
Three or four outof last four weeks
Hacienda Heights Church U.S. Adventist Churches
Church Membership
Not11%
Adventist Church member
89%
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Tenure as a Baptized Adventist
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Less than 5 years Five to 10 years 11 to 20 years More than 20years
Hacienda Heights Church U.S. Adventist Churches
Raised by an Adventist parent
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Yes NoHacienda Heights Church U.S. Adventists
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How much does worship at this church help you with everyday life?
Some31%
Not much14%
Greatly55%
How much have you grown in your faith in the last year?
---------Much growth---------
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Throughthis
church
Throughanothergroup
Throughprivate
activities
Somegrowth
No realgrowth
Hacienda Heights ChurchU.S. Adventists
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Assurance of Salvation90%
10%
88%
12%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Certain or very certain Not certain
Hacienda Heights Church North American Adventists
*Mission in Metropolis, p 110
Conversations with Coworkers about their Personal or Family Needs or Spiritual Topics
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Almost daily Once a week Once in a while Never
Hacienda Heights Church Metropolitan Adventists*
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Church Involvement
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Has a ministry role Attends SS class Participates in asmall group
Gave Bible studies
Hacienda Heights Church North American Adventists
Has anyone asked you personally to volunteer time in the last year?
No35%
Yes65%
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Evaluation of Sermons
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Addressing social problems
Stimulating thought
Encouraging witnessing
Relevance to everyday life
Encouraging spiritual growth
Bible content
Do very well Fairly well Not at all
Music Preferences
3%
4%
11%
12%
19%
29%
69%
52%
I do not know
Jazz
Jesus Rock
Classical music or chorales
Gospel
Contemporary Christian music
Praise music or choruses
Traditional hymns
30
Perceptions ofHacienda Heights Church
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
People are excited about the future
Has a clear sense of mission
New people are easily assimilated
Activities strengthen personal relationships
Programs are well organized
This church is grace-oriented
This church is warm & friendly
Describes very well Not sure Describes poorly or not at all
Strong sense of belongingto Hacienda Heights Church
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Yes andgrowing
Yes, butthe same
Yes, butless so
No, but Iam new
No, wishI did
No, thatis OK
Hacienda Heights Church U.S. Adventists
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Involvement in making important decisions
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Givenopportunity &
oftenparticipate
Givenopportunity &occasionallyparticipate
Givenopportunity, but did notparticipate
Not givenopportunity,
but that is OK
Not givenopportunity &
unhappy
Hacienda Heights Church U.S. Adventists
Overall Evaluation
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Small groups
Church board
Pastor's leadership
Community service
Evangelism
Children's ministries
Help for individuals
Worship
Youth group
Parking
Excellent Uncertain Poor
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What I value most about Hacienda Heights Church
13%
21%
22%
23%
24%
28%
40%
49%
32%
31%
Small groups
Community service
Social activities
Our style of worship
My friends
Care for one another
Reaching the lost
The preaching
Diversity of members
Praying for one another
*Personal contact by relatives, work associates,
acquaintances
Observed to be Most Effective Methods to Bring in New Members
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Media ministries
Small groups
Bible studies
Youth/children's ministry
Revelation seminars
Friendship Evangelism*
Public evangelism
U.S. Adventists Hacienda Heights Church
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2 - Observed to be Most Effective Methods to Bring in New Members
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Other
Music concerts
Family life seminar
Community health
Door-to-door contacts
Literature
Community service
Public evangelism
U.S. Adventists Hacienda Heights Church
How Far is Your Home from the Congregation You Attend?
32%
15%13%
33%
40%
9%
35%
23%
Same ZipCode
SameTown
SameCounty
DifferentCounty
Hacienda Heights Church U.S. Adventists
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What major needs in the community should the church address?
Internal concerns
28%
Homeless, health, etc.
7%
Religious needs
5%
No answer60%
Community Ministries: Willing to get Personally Involved – Pt 1
19%
19%
23%
25%
27%
Job-skill training
Free medical clinic
Parenting classes
Health education classes
Stress management class
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Community Ministries: Willing to get Personally Involved – Pt 2
5%
12%
12%
14%
18%
18%
Diabetes supportgroup
Weight controlgroup
After-schoolprogram
Health screening
Youth drop-incenter
12-step group
Analysisn Research has shown that growth in
Adventist churches comes from:n Community involvementn Rich spiritualityn Intentionality (goals, planning)n A positive atmosphere in congregationn Activities for the unchurched on
Sabbath
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An Adventist Missional Paradigm
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’”
• The Ministry of Healing, page 143
Recommendationsn Appoint a task force to increase community
involvement and visibilityn Provide Friendship Evangelism training for all
active membersn Consider using the Vision for Mission process to
renew the mission-driven focus of the congregation (or a similar approach)
n Plan a “mission trip to Hacienda Heights” for the entire active membership to help people get in touch with their primary mission field
n Start a Reconnecting Ministry team to contact the inactive members
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More Recommendationsn Use online searches to find current addresses for
the missing membersn Teach a Connections class to help members get
in touch with their personal call to ministryn Preach a series of sermons on “Its Not About
Me” to help members see that Christ’s mission is primarily about “them”—the lost, the suffering
n Use selected mission-story video clips from the General Conference to educate the members about contemporary methods of outreach
To Contact Monte Sahlinn [email protected] (800) 272-4664
n © 2009, Center for Creative Ministry
