A Second Home

by Julie Long
In May, our church’s Family Life Committee sponsored a survey of families in our congregation. The Church Census, developed and analyzed by the Center for Family and Community Ministries at Baylor University, was made available for us at no cost thanks to a grant through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

The survey asked questions about the makeup, stresses, strengths, and challenges of our families and our congregation. Our answers not only told us more about who we are as a congregation but gave us insight into how the church can help meet the needs of our families and our community.

Many in our congregation were unable to attend the census report given on September 2. Here are some of the highlights:

- Our congregation is extremely well-educated, with nearly 75 percent with college or graduate degrees. Of those ages 40-59, the percentage is as high as 92 percent.

- A significant number of respondents (19) have attended our church 1-4 years, with 35 percent attending 11-22 years and 14 percent more than 30 years. This indicates a committed core group serving alongside newer members.

- The most prominent stressors for families include health concerns (illness, disability, depression/emotional problems and death of family/friends) and financial concerns (prioritizing money use and financial strain).

- In terms of living our faith, we are strong in worship, Bible study, prayer and giving. Challenges include sharing our faith and promoting social justice.

When asked “how the church can help,” the most common responses were consistent with most common stressors. Families want the church to help them know what they can do to make a difference in the world through working for justice and community service. Families also need the church’s support in caring sick or aging family members and managing their finances.

If you would like to learn more about the census results, a copy of the full report is available in the church library for your review. (A shorter 3-page summary is available here.) Our church leaders and pertinent committees will be having further discussions about how to apply the results to our current ministries and future planning.

Our children did not complete the full survey but offered their own insights into our church through drawings and writings. When asked, “How does our church help your family?,” one child answered, “by giving us a second home.” My prayer is that these results will help our church continue to be family to one another so that each that comes here will find a place of belonging, nurture, and love.