The results of a worldwide survey of local Seventh-day Adventist churches has provided an unprecedented “snap-shot” of how Adventists are witnessing, worshipping, and relating to their communities. Dubbed “a wake-up call for the church,” the results have prompted the church’s executive committee to recommend that a task force be established to deal with “areas of concern.”

The results of the Adventist World Survey were revealed October 8 to those attending Annual Council, which is currently underway at the world church headquarters. The survey was designed to provide data for the church’s strategic planning process, and covers a broad range of issues including church members’ devotional lives, their understanding of salvation, belief in church doctrines, understanding of church unity, community involvement, and Christian witness.

Those surveyed scored strongest in the area of doctrinal understanding, where more than 90 percent of respondents indicated they are firmly committed to Adventist teachings. The majority of respondents also testified that they lived joyful lives, had assurance of salvation, and agreed with the church’s organizational structure. 

“[But] there is room for improvement on nearly all of the objectives,” said survey coordinator Dr. Roger Dudley, who is based at the Adventist Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, Michigan. “Areas of concern” include low involvement in daily prayer and Bible study (less than 50 percent), active Christian witness to the community (less than 40 percent), and participation in community service (less than 30 percent).

The task force recommended by the executive committee will be charged with developing a plan to increase the number of church members involved in Bible study and prayer, witnessing, and community service projects. This task force will also be asked to prepare a plan of action to be presented to Spring Meeting in 2003.

Michael Ryan, special assistant to the world church president for strategic planning, says the results are useful, but “do not fully reflect all that the church should consider.” Speaking to members of Annual Council, he identified three further areas that require attention—the effectiveness of the church’s communication system in reaching the “grass-roots”; the ability of church members and leaders to work toward common goals; and the organization’s capacity to institute change. 

The Adventist World Survey results were based on 3,646 responses from pastors and lay leaders in randomly selected congregations in all regions of the world church.