Greater Austin Benchmark StudySponsored by Austin Bridge Builders Alliance (ABBA)

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Greater Austin Benchmark Study Two Parts1. Phone survey of 1,200 Austin

residents

2. Mailed survey to all Christian churches addressed to the Pastor

Resident Survey

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Resident Survey Methodology

A total of 1,203 adults were interviewed by phone during February 2010.

All respondents were residents of the Austin, Texas DMA (Designated Market Area).

The sample provides 95% confidence that the margin of error does not exceed +2.8%.

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Resident Survey Methodology

The sample is representative of the Austin population in terms of gender, age, income, and major ethnic groups

Interviews were conducted in either English or Spanish

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Austin BenchmarksAffiliation and Practice

Attend Church of Any Faith34% Attend weekly or more23% Attend 1-3 times a month18% Attend occasionally/

irregularly23% Don’t attend church at all

Attend Church of Any Faith34% Attend weekly or more23% Attend 1-3 times a month18% Attend occasionally/

irregularly23% Don’t attend church at all

How “churched” is Austin?

Attend Christian Church38% Attend Protestant church

at least once a month15% Attend Catholic church at

least once a month

Attend Christian Church38% Attend Protestant church

at least once a month15% Attend Catholic church at

least once a month

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Austin BenchmarksAffiliation and Practice

Religious Preference 82% Christian 12% Atheist/Agnostic/No

Preference 3% Non-Christian religion

Religious Preference 82% Christian 12% Atheist/Agnostic/No

Preference 3% Non-Christian religion

How “Christian” is Austin?

8Austin Benchmarks

Vitality

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• 63% Indicated no belief in Jesus Christ as Savior, when asked about life after death

• This includes:― 29% of residents who attend church at least once a

month but have no belief in Jesus as Savior― 34% of residents who are unchurched/attend

occasionally and have no belief in Jesus as Savior

• 63% Indicated no belief in Jesus Christ as Savior, when asked about life after death

• This includes:― 29% of residents who attend church at least once a

month but have no belief in Jesus as Savior― 34% of residents who are unchurched/attend

occasionally and have no belief in Jesus as Savior

Austin Benchmarks

VitalityWhere are residents who don’t trust Jesus for their salvation?

Total mission field: 1,099,578 adults

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Local Christian Churches49% Relevant to my life24% Not accepting of people

like me48% Improving morality48% Presenting truth56% Helping the community

come together39% Have strong positive

community influence

Local Christian Churches49% Relevant to my life24% Not accepting of people

like me48% Improving morality48% Presenting truth56% Helping the community

come together39% Have strong positive

community influence

Austin Benchmarks

Vitality

What are residents’ perceptions of the church?

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Local Christian Churches63% Caring for the hurting46% Meeting practical

needs of underprivileged27% Helping immigrants44% Providing real solutions

to life’s problems

Local Christian Churches63% Caring for the hurting46% Meeting practical

needs of underprivileged27% Helping immigrants44% Providing real solutions

to life’s problems

Austin Benchmarks

Vitality

Is the Church doing good works?

For it is God’s will that you, by doing good, silence the ignorance of foolish people. 1Peter 2:15

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Someone you know wants to talk about their personal religious

beliefs61% Would discuss that freely16% Would discuss with some

discomfort18% Would change the subject

Someone you know wants to talk about their personal religious

beliefs61% Would discuss that freely16% Would discuss with some

discomfort18% Would change the subject

How receptive are the unchurched to conversations about faith?

Austin Benchmarks

Receptivity

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If a friend who regularly attends a local Christian church invited you to attend a church service

with them, would you be willing to do so?

12% Definitely26% Probably26% Maybe

If a friend who regularly attends a local Christian church invited you to attend a church service

with them, would you be willing to do so?

12% Definitely26% Probably26% Maybe

How receptive are the unchurched to invitations to church?

Austin Benchmarks

Receptivity

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Beliefs55% Bible is written word of

God72% Jesus is the Son of God40% Salvation is through

grace alone60% I’ve made a personal

commitment to Jesus Christ

50% I’m more spiritual than religious

35% Major religions are equally valid paths to God

66% Jesus died & came back to life

55% You’re an active follower of Jesus in how you currently live your life

Beliefs55% Bible is written word of

God72% Jesus is the Son of God40% Salvation is through

grace alone60% I’ve made a personal

commitment to Jesus Christ

50% I’m more spiritual than religious

35% Major religions are equally valid paths to God

66% Jesus died & came back to life

55% You’re an active follower of Jesus in how you currently live your life

How close or open are people’s beliefs to the Truth?

Austin Benchmarks

ReceptivityPercentage that agree strongly:

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Interest in Neighborhood Activities

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Interest in Neighborhood Activities(Among the Unchurched – similar levels of interest)

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Affinity Groups

Most of the resident survey captures the interests and affinities of the residents surveyed

More than 100 affinity groups plus demographic groups can each be described in terms of their affiliation, practice, and beliefs

18Top 10* Mission Fields (by % Who Have No Belief in Jesus as Savior)

1.Swimmers – 78%2.Alternative music fans – 77%3.Asians – 77%4.Have an affinity for a European country – 76%5.Bicyclists/mountain bikers – 74%6.Woodworkers – 74%7.Have an affinity for the United Kingdom –

73%8.Spanish-language dependent – 73%9.Meet with a book club – 73%10.Students – 72% *Excludes religious affinity groups such as the unchurched

1.Swimmers – 78%2.Alternative music fans – 77%3.Asians – 77%4.Have an affinity for a European country – 76%5.Bicyclists/mountain bikers – 74%6.Woodworkers – 74%7.Have an affinity for the United Kingdom –

73%8.Spanish-language dependent – 73%9.Meet with a book club – 73%10.Students – 72% *Excludes religious affinity groups such as the unchurched

19Top 10 Mission Fields (by Number Who Have No Belief in Jesus as Savior)

1.Readers – 953,9212.Moviegoers – 868,2883.Attend music performances – 811,5264.“A DIYer or handyperson” – 761,7305.Museum goers – 750,6796.Play board/strategy games – 685,9847.Cooking/baking is an interest –

639,7248.Gardeners – 637,1689.Attend dance or theater – 617,47210.Play computer/video games – 593,888

1.Readers – 953,9212.Moviegoers – 868,2883.Attend music performances – 811,5264.“A DIYer or handyperson” – 761,7305.Museum goers – 750,6796.Play board/strategy games – 685,9847.Cooking/baking is an interest –

639,7248.Gardeners – 637,1689.Attend dance or theater – 617,47210.Play computer/video games – 593,888

20Examples of Vitality and Receptivity among Affinity Groups

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Public High TechEducation EngineeringGovernment

Attitudes about local Christian churches: Relevant to my life: 56% 36% 48% Caring for the hurting: 70% 56% 67% Presenting truth: 56% 37% 54% Real solutions to life’s

problems: 50% 31% 43%

Have strong positive community influence : 43% 22% 34%

No belief in Jesus Christ as savior: 48% 69% 61%

Public High TechEducation EngineeringGovernment

Attitudes about local Christian churches: Relevant to my life: 56% 36% 48% Caring for the hurting: 70% 56% 67% Presenting truth: 56% 37% 54% Real solutions to life’s

problems: 50% 31% 43%

Have strong positive community influence : 43% 22% 34%

No belief in Jesus Christ as savior: 48% 69% 61%

Types of Workers

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Bicyclists/ Football TennisMtn. Bikers Players Players

No belief in Jesus Christ as savior: 74% 57% 62%

Among the Unchurched : Definitely attend church if invited: 3% 16% 17% Probably attend church if invited: 33% 19% 22% Maybe attend church if invited: 13% 23% 43%

Bicyclists/ Football TennisMtn. Bikers Players Players

No belief in Jesus Christ as savior: 74% 57% 62%

Among the Unchurched : Definitely attend church if invited: 3% 16% 17% Probably attend church if invited: 33% 19% 22% Maybe attend church if invited: 13% 23% 43%

Types of sports enthusiasts

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Population Density

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No Belief in Jesus Christ as Savior

Center City Region 76%Urban Region 62%South Austin Region 70%East Region 54%

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No Belief in Jesus Christ as Savior

West RegionWest Region 62%62%Williamson CountyWilliamson County 62%62%

Church Survey

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Church Survey Methodology

Conducted February 18 – April 12, 2010 All Christian churches in the Austin DMA

were targeted. List of 1,106 Christian churches were mailed the survey addressed to the senior pastor; they could also complete it online.

A second reminder mailing was done and targeted reminder calls were made by ABBA.

185 completed interviews provide 95% confidence that the sampling error does not exceed +6.0%

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Church Establishment & Attendance

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Year Surveyed Churches Were Established

Q1. In what year was your church established?

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Denominations ofChurches Surveyed

Q2. To what denomination does your church belong?

31Average Worship Attendance of Churches

Surveyed

Q3. What is your church’s average worship attendance on a typical weekend (including all ages from babies to adults but not counting anyone twice)?

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Age Comparison of Austin Church Attendees to the Austin Population

Q4. Please provide a general estimate of the percent of your church’s attendees in a typical week who are from each age group below.

Age Group

Mean Percent of Surveyed Austin

Age Group Church Attendees Population

Under age 10 13% 14%

Ages 10-19 12% 13%

Ages 20-34 20% 24%

Ages 35-54 28% 30%

Ages 55 and over 27% 19%

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Style of Worship at Your Church

Q8. Which of the following best describes the style of worship at your church?

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Style of Worship by Church Size

Q8. Which of the following best describes the style of worship at your church?

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New Commitments to Jesus Christ

*Note: Attendance sub-group sample sizes are below 50.

Q6. In the past 12 months, how many people have indicated a new commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior in the Austin area through your church?

New commitments to Jesus Christ in past 12 months

Mean number of new commitments to Jesus Christ: 48

Median number of new commitments to Jesus Christ: 13

New Commitments by Average Worship

Attendance*

Attendance Mean

1-49 6

50-99 11

100-249 26

250-499 29

500+ 169

New Commitments by Average Worship

Attendance*

Attendance Mean

1-49 6

50-99 11

100-249 26

250-499 29

500+ 169

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New Commitments to Jesus Christ who ALSO Became Active in your

Church New commitments who also became active in your church in past 12 months

*Note: Attendance sub-group sample sizes are below 50.

Q7. Among these commitments in the past 12 months, how many have ALSO become active in the life of your church?

Mean number of new commitments active in church: 24

Median number of new commitments active in church: 10

New Commitments also Active by Average

Worship Attendance*

Attendance Mean

1-49 3

50-99 6

100-249 15

250-499 20

500+ 79

New Commitments also Active by Average

Worship Attendance*

Attendance Mean

1-49 3

50-99 6

100-249 15

250-499 20

500+ 79

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Percentage of Adults Who Volunteer Varies Widely

Q11. What percentage of adults who attend your church at least once a month have regular responsibilities at your church (e.g., greeter, teacher, child care, etc.)?

% of Adults with regular responsibilities at church

The median known percentage is 40% The mean known percentage is 45%

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Percentage of Adults Who Serve in Their Church’s Community is Lower

Q12. What percentage of adults who attend your church at least once a month are involved in ministries or projects that serve people in your community not affiliated with your church?

% of Adults who serve people in your community

The median known percentage is 20% The mean known percentage is 27%

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How Churches Organize Adults Into Small Groups for Connecting

People

Q13. Which of the following describes how your church tries to organize adults into small groups for connecting people (your church may call the groups ABF, Sunday School, Church School, Bible Studies, etc)?

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Launching New Churches or New Campuses in Next 2 Years

Q14. Is your church seriously considering launching either of the following in greater Austin area in the next two years?

4 in 10 churches surveyed plan to minister in a new location in Austin in the next 2 years through a new church plant or a new campus

41Activities Conducted in Last 12 Months to Engage People Who Do Not

Attend Your Church

Q15. Which if any of the following activities has your church conducted in the last 12 months to engage people who do not attend your church?

42Activities in the Last 12 Months to Understand and Engage the

Community

Q16. Which if any of the following activities have leaders of your church done in the last 12 months to understand and engage the community?

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Types of Paid Advertising Purchased in the Last 12 Months

Q17. What types of paid advertising has your church purchased in the last 12 months?

44Churches with People Who Have Provided Assistance for Their

Community in the Last 12 Months

Q18. Approximately how many people from your church have participated in providing assistance for your community in the last 12 months in each of the following ways regardless of who organized the assistance?

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Churches with People Who Have Participated in the Last 12 Months to Meet People in Community Who Do Not Attend Church

Q19. Approximately how many people from your church have participated in any of the following types of affinity or interest groups in the last 12 months to intentionally meet people in your community who do not attend church regardless of who organized the groups?

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Q19. Approximately how many people from your church have participated in any of the following types of affinity or interest groups in the last 12 months to intentionally meet people in your community who do not attend church regardless of who organized the groups?

Churches with People Who Have Participated in the Last 12 Months to

Meet People in Community Who Do Not Attend Church continued

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We are Consistently Hearing Reports of Changed Lives at Our

Church

Q21. We are consistently hearing reports of changed lives at our church..

“Don’t Know” Austin 0%; U.S., 1%

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We Have a Lot of Visitors Each Week In Our Worship Services

Q22. We have a lot of visitors each week in our worship services.

Don’t Know 0%

49If Our Church Went Away, Most People

In the Community Would Not Miss Us

Q23. If our church went away, most people in the community would not miss us.

Don’t Know 2%

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We Reach Most People Through Our Worship Services

Q24. We reach most people through our worship services

Don’t Know 2%

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People Regularly Become Christians As a Result of Our

Church Serving

Q25. People regularly become Christians as a result of our church serving.

Don’t Know 4%

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Our Small Groups Are Encouraged To Serve Together in the Local City or

Community

Q26. Our small groups are encouraged to serve together in the local city or community.

Don’t Know 4%

53Our Church Challenges Members To Build Significant Relationships With

People Who Are Non-Christians

Q27. Our church challenges members to build significant relationships with people who are non-Christians

Don’t Know 1%

54What Are the Most Effective Things to Reach Your

Community?

Q28. What are the most effective things your church has done to reach people in your community who don’t attend church? (number answering: 163)

Categorized responses to this open-ended question

55What Are the Most Effective Things to Reach Your

Community? continued

Q28. What are the most effective things your church has done to reach people in your community who don’t attend church? (number answering: 163)

Categorized responses to this open-ended question

56Church Quotes of the Most Effective Means to Reach The Unchurched

“We had a ‘meet your neighbor’ gathering at the neighborhood park.”

“A pumpkin patch/fall festival, and musical events in which the community is invited.”

“Building relationships – long term, low pressure.” “Invite lost people to dinner or out for coffee.” “Serve at soup kitchen; Loaves and Fishes program.” “Feed My Sheep – Food distribution program.” “Mobilize families to start missional small groups in

neighborhoods – about 6-8 families.” “We are still working on that issue.” “Nothing seems effective.”

Q28. What are the most effective things your church has done to reach people in your community who don’t attend church?

Greater Austin Benchmark StudySponsored by Austin Bridge Builders Alliance (ABBA)