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2015 FBCTLH Snapshot Survey Results

November 30, 2015

Throughout December, I’ll feature stories and information about First Baptist’s adopted Strategic Plan. Today, we take a look at the “Snapshot Survey.” Jenny Wilhelm, Gale Neal, and Josh Hall administered and interpreted the survey results. Their findings are reported below.

In September, FBCTLH surveyed members, regular attendees, and occasional guests ages 12 and above. The survey had three main purposes.

1. To guide FBC’s strategic planning process.
2. To gather information on respondents.
3. To determine our commitment to discipleship over the next five years.

We decided to conduct this survey before the “Think, Act, Be” Bible and worship series to assess “where we are” and how we should focus our teaching going forward.

The survey was divided into several sections.

• Your Background
• Your Life in Community
• Your Home Life
• Your Beliefs
• Your Future

There were 408 respondents. The majority were FBC members or had been involved with FBC more than five years.

Background

Here’s a snapshot of our church demographics.

• 58% are female.
• 79% are 40 or older.
• 94% are Caucasian
• 75% are married
• 13% are single
• 7% are divorced
• 4% are widowed
• 25% have children living in their household

Engagement in Community

Overall, most respondents are very engaged with FBC and feel they fit in. They have a few FBC close friends and are evenly divided regarding whether they have close friends of a different race or ethnicity.

Slightly over half (54%) feel they use their spiritual gifts to serve the Lord very well or pretty well, 26% feel somewhat well, while 21% feel not so well or not at all. When broken out by how long respondents have been involved with FBC, 59% of those who have been involved with FBC 5 years or longer feel they are using their spiritual gifts to serve the Lord very well or pretty well, while 45% of respondents involved 2 to 4 years feel very well or pretty well about their spiritual gift usage.

Almost three fourths of respondents feel they fit in very well or pretty well; 22% feel they somewhat fit in. Only 5% feel they do not. Not surprisingly, the longer respondents have been involved with FBC, the more they feel they fit in very well or pretty well; for those involved 5 years or longer, 79% feel they fit in. For respondents involved 2 to 4 years, 59% feel they do.

Twelve percent of respondents don’t have close friends at FBC. However, 69% have three or more. Ten percent of members don’t have any close friends at FBC.

Respondents were evenly divided regarding whether they have close friends of a different race or ethnicity. Thirty percent have no close friends of a different race or ethnicity, while 31% indicated they have one or two. Thirty-nine percent have three or more close friends of a different race or ethnicity.

Discipleship in an FBC Household

Almost all (91%) of those who are married reported having very strong or pretty strong marriages. Prayer is a high priority in our homes, but Bible study with those under our roof is not.

When respondents were asked how often they studied the Bible with family/friends with whom they live, more respondents (58%) said they study once a month or never than respondents who study once a week or daily (42%). The percentage of respondents involved with FBC 5 years or longer (58%) is the same as respondents involved 2 to 4 years.

Most respondents (78%) study the Bible by themselves daily or once a week. Ten percent never do.

Respondents are setting aside time for prayer. Ninety-three percent say they do at least once a week or daily. However, 5% say they never do.

Christian Beliefs

We believe strongly in the trinity, the inspired Bible, and faith in Jesus as the only means of salvation. However, twenty-two percent of respondents don’t believe or are not sure if those who die without faith in Jesus will be eternally separated from God. Of FBC members, 20% don’t believe or are not sure.

When asked how often they give their time to support the Kingdom of God, about two thirds of respondents indicated daily or once a week. One third give their time once a month or not at all. Forty-five percent of FBC member give their time weekly, while 34% give their time once a month or never.

The majority (56%) of respondents indicated their lives exhibit the fruit of the Spirit most of the time, a quarter said daily, and 19% said sometimes or never.

Future Plans

Lastly we surveyed future plans and Christian calling.

Although most respondents (87%) are not quite ready or not at all ready to adopt or bring a foster child into their home, 13% are very open or somewhat open now.

Regarding full-time vocational ministry, 17% are very or pretty willing to take this step. Of respondents who have been involved with FBC 5 years or longer, 12% are very willing or pretty willing.

Respondents are a hopeful group: 87% are very hopeful or pretty hopeful about their future. Nine percent are somewhat hopeful, while 4% are not so hopeful or not at all hopeful.

Conclusion

The survey reveals that we have a growing, dynamic, aging congregation. We have a strong commitment to prayer and are deeply concerned about the eternal destiny of unbelievers. Many of us have close friends of other races, but a large group do not. Many people are trying to find a place to fit in, use their spiritual gifts, and grow the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.

Many thanks to this great team that conducted this survey. By looking into the mirror, we have a chance to find ways to reach people for Jesus at First Baptist.

2015 FBC Snapshot Survey Results (PDF).

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