A strong sense of heritage among Seventh-day Adventists and a high reliance on the authority of scripture are just two of the preliminary findings from a comparative study of 42 denominations and faith groups in the United States. Findings from the massive study, which was released March 13, are based on data collected from some 14,000 United States churches, synagogues, and mosques compiled by the research consortium Faith Communities Today (FACT).  The 60-page report will provide information that will significantly influence the Adventist Church in North America and its future, say church officials.

“This not only provides us with an unprecedented look at religion in America,” says Monte Sahlin, liaison for the Adventist Church in the FACT study, “it helps us to see where and how we fit in the faith community at large. It also allows us to draw inferences about how religion is interwoven in American culture and how significant we’ll be in the future.”

A preview of the report enabled Sahlin to draw a number of conclusions by comparing the data from the 406 Adventist churches that participated with the combined results of all the faiths involved.  According to the study, Adventists are strong in recognizing scripture and the Holy Spirit as a source of religious authority. Adventist congregations are also stronger in their expression of denominational heritage than the average American congregation. For Adventists, a strong indicator of church growth is if members are excited about the future of the congregation, if the church operates a community services center, and if the church sponsors an elementary school.

The activity most likely to generate growth among Adventist congregations, the study suggests, is when the congregation focuses on helping individuals develop a closer relationship with God, and when they help the person deepen that relationship.

The study indicates that Adventists are less likely to be involved in most kinds of community service activities, but the area where Adventists are significantly more likely to be involved is health promotion. The study also shows that few American Adventist congregations have changed worship styles in the past five years.

Sahlin, a researcher for the Adventist Church for more than 20 years, says that studies have been done, but none as large, diverse, or detailed as the FACT initiative.  For more information about the study go to www.fact.hartsem.edu