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Excerpts from the
December 25, 2017 edition of
The FOSTER Letter—Religious
Market Update
10,000
More Churches Needed
The increase in U.S.
churches is only 25% of what’s needed to keep up with population
growth. Between ’00 and ’04, the net
gain (new churches minus closed churches) in the number of
evangelical churches was 5,452, but mainline and Catholic churches
closed more than they started for a net loss of 2,200, leaving an
overall net gain of 3,252 Orthodox Christian churches. In this
decade, approximately 3,000 churches closed every year; while more
churches were started, only 3,800 survived. In the 21st
century, the net gain in churches is only 800 a year. From ’00 to
’04, a net gain of 13,024 churches was necessary to keep up with the
U.S. population growth. So, rather than growing with the population,
the church incurred a deficit of almost 10,000
churches. (Church
Leaders 12/14/17)
More Missionaries
When 1,200 youth gathered for
the first Chinese “Urbana-style” missions conference this fall, 300
pledged to become full-time missionaries. “This is one of those
historic moments,” said David Ro, director of the Wilson Center for
World Missions at Gordon-Conwell Seminary. “There are lots of
challenges ahead, on the mission field and in China. And yet God is
doing something—while they are being attacked, they are still moving
forward.” Held in Thailand, the conference was part of Mission
China, a movement of unregistered churches to send out 20,000
missionaries by 2030.
(ChristianityToday.com
11/27/17)
Tough Marketing
Problem Count on me for a cost effective solution. Contact
419-238-4082,
Gary@garydfoster.com or
www.garydfoster.com. or
www.garydfoster.com. (CFO 3/07)
Europe’s Growing Muslim
Population The
Muslim population in Europe (the 28 countries presently in the
European Union, plus Norway and Switzerland) as of mid-’16,
estimated at 25.8 million (4.9% of the overall popula-tion), up
from 19.5 million (3.8%) in ’10. Even if all migration into Europe
were to immediately and permanently stop (zero migration) the Muslim
population of Europe still would be expected to rise from its
current 4.9% to 7.4% by 2050. This is because Muslims are younger
(by 13 years) and have higher fertility than other Europeans.
(Pew Research 11/29/17)
Weight up, Concern Down
Americans have become
slightly heavier in recent years, but they seem to have grown more
comfortable with it. Between ’03-’07 and ’13-’17, Americans’
self-reported weight edged up along with the number of pounds they
offer as their “ideal” weight, yet the percentage who consider
themselves overweight has declined. Although heavier today, they are
less likely to see themselves as overweight vs. ’03-’07, which
aligns with the finding they are also less likely to want or try to
lose weight. The percentage of Americans saying they are overweight
dropped from 41% in ’03-’07 to 38% for ’13-’17. Currently, 35% of
men and 40% of women say they are overweight. 59% of men and 53% of
women now see their weight as “about right,” while 6% of both sexes
think they are underweight. Last month, the CDC reported nearly 40%
of U.S. adults are “obese.”(Gallup
News 11/28/17)
Overall Well-Being
among U.S. adults has declined substantially this year. The
Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index score so far in ’17 is 61.5,
down 0.6 points from 62.1 in ’16 and on par with the lower level
recorded in ’14. This decline is both statistically significant and
meaningfully large. The index is calculated on a scale of 0 to 100:
0 is the lowest possible well-being and 100 the highest. It consists
of metrics drawn from each of the 5 essential elements of
well-being: Purpose: liking what you do each day and being motivated
to achieve your goals. Social: having supportive relationships and
love in your life. Financial: managing your economic life to reduce
stress and increase security. Community: liking where you live,
feeling safe and having pride in community. Physical: having good
health and enough energy to get things done daily. The overall
decline in well-being in ’17 is driven by dips in emotional health,
social well-being and purpose well-being. In terms of emotional
health, more adults report experiencing significant worry on any
given day, as is the number who report having little interest or
pleasure in doing things at least some of the time. Social
well-being shows similar declines. Fewer people agree their friends
and family provide them with positive energy every day and that
someone always encourages them to be healthy. Purpose well-being
indicators have also receded. Fewer agree there is a leader in their
life who makes them enthusiastic about the future and what they do
each day. (Gallup News
11/28/17)
Millennials Push Away From
Established Churches
Not all Millennials are averse to serving in leadership roles in
established churches, but many are. And churches are approaching a
tipping point where many are unable to attract Millennial members or
leaders. Thom Rainer offers these 5 factors that push Millennials
away from established churches: 1) Millennials perceive established
churches to have values entrenched in non-missional traditions.
2) They perceive much time in established churches is
wasted catering to members’ personal preferences. 3) Many
established churches are denominationally loyal; but many
Millennials see denominations as antiquated organizations. 4)
They don’t see established churches as community-centric. 5)
Millennials see church planting as a far superior alternative. While
Christians comprise only about 15% of this 80 million strong
generation, they are still an influential force in our churches and
many of their concerns are valid.
(Church
Leaders 11/28/17)
Savvy Marketers
realize that it is because many marketers cut ad spending during a
recession, but a recession is the best and least expensive time to
gain market share through advertising. Publishers are more open to
negotiating deals. Plus, there is less competition as others reduce
or eliminate ad budgets. This is the time to brand yourself as the
leader in your category. Procter & Gamble, General Motors, Verizon,
News Corp, Wal-Mart and PepsiCo have all increased their ad
spending. Call on me for “grow in the tough times” strategy plan.
419-238-4082,
gary@garydfoster.com or
www.garydfoster.com. (Marketing
Daily 8/27/08)
Finding Comfort in Scripture
Service men and women
who read the Bible infrequently or not at all say they might read
the Bible for many reasons, but the most common is for comfort
(37%), and understandably so, given the peace or security its pages
may bring to those taking great risks for their fellow Americans. It
also comes as no surprise that turning to the scriptures during a
deployment is next on the list (30%). 17% say they might look to the
Bible when separated from family, a reality when deployed. Others
mention turning to scripture if they have a problem they need to
solve or desire direction (30%) or simply to be closer to God (28%).
Few say they would approach scripture out of a sense of obligation
(14%).
(Barna.com 11/7/17)
Women Who Don’t Go To
College have a greater risk of some sort of forced sex than
those who went to college for 4 or more years, finds a new Univ. of
Michigan study. The study
also found 1
in 4 women have had some sort of forced intercourse by the time they
are 44. Women with little or no college are at about 2.5 times
greater risk for experiencing forced sex. The increased risk also
holds for men, although the rate is lower. The study found 8% of men
report forced sex, and men with less than 4 years of college have 4
times higher odds of experiencing it.
(USA Today 11/22/17)
Chick-fil-A Favored
Christians have the most
positive view of the Chick-fil-A brand, according to Morning
Consult’s 2017 Community Impact Ratings.
62% of evangelicals considered Chick-fil-A to have a positive impact
on their community vs. 48% of all Americans. The Christian-owned
company outperformed fellow fast food restaurants in the poll,
particularly in the South and among millennials.
More than half of adults 18–34 and 35–44 rated it as having a
positive impact. Those polled believe the chain has higher-quality
food, better customer service and happier employees than similar
fast-food restaurants. The chain takes in more revenue per
restaurant (an average of $4.4 million a year in ’16) than any other
fast-food restaurant in the US, according to
industry
reports.
(ChristianityToday.com 11/22/17)
Evangelical Marriages Safer
Men and women who attend church together are almost 10 percentage
points more likely to report that they are “happy” or “very happy”
in their relationships, compared to their peers who attend
separately or simply don’t attend religious services at all. On
average, U.S. evangelicals who attend church regularly enjoy higher
quality marriages compared to their less religious or secular peers.
Compared with a woman who never attends religious services, a woman
who shares similar demographic characteristics but attends several
times a week is roughly 40% less likely to be a victim of domestic
violence. Also, “men who attend religious services several times a
week are 72% less likely to abuse their female partners than men
from comparable backgrounds who do not attend services.”
(Religion, Sex, Love and Marriage among African Americans and
Latinos,
W. Bradford
Wilcox
and Nicholas H. Wolfinger,
Oxford Univ. Press, 2016)
How To Grow
little companies and ministries into big ones.
1. Focus
What are we trying to make
happen? How will we measure success? See it clearly. Say it plainly.
2. Evaluate
What is the competitive environment? Do we
understand the felt needs of our prospective customer? What is
holding us back? Name the limiting factors.
3. Prioritize
When two of our goals come
into conflict, which one bows the knee? Prioritize our objectives.
4. Strategize
What would be the shortest
route to our primary goal? What levers might we use to dislodge
impediments? How might we nullify other limiting factors? Are we
willing to modify the business model? This is the moment when the
future is won or lost.
5. Implement Are we
willing to pull the trigger? Quit talking and DO something. Nothing
changes until action is taken. For more, contact me at
419-238-4082,
Gary@garydfoster.com or
www.garydfoster.com. (Monday
Morning Memo 9/3/07)
The Bible Plays A Big Role
76% of U.S. evangelicals LifeWay Research polled say Christians
should support the right of the Jewish people to live in the
sovereign State of Israel, 5% disagree and 20% aren’t sure. 69% say
the Jewish people have a historic right to the land of Israel, 6%
disagree and 25% aren’t sure. Only 19% say Palestinians have a
historic right to Israel, 46% disagree and 34% aren’t sure. 41% say
Jewish people have a “biblical right” to Israel but have to share
it, 28% disagree and 31% aren’t sure.
African-Americans with
evangelical beliefs are least likely (54%) to say Jewish people have
a “biblical right” to the land of Israel or have a positive view of
Israel (50%). 45% of evangelicals overall say the Bible has had the
biggest influence on their views of Israel. 63% say they support
Israel primarily because “God gave the land of Israel to the Jewish
people.” 22% aren’t sure if biblical promises about the land of
Israel are still in force. 80% say God promised the land of Israel
to Abraham and his descendants for all time. 80% say the rebirth of
Israel in 1948 was a fulfillment of biblical prophecy.
(ChristianityToday.com
12/4/17)
British Christians
New YouGov research reveals only 6 of the original 10 Commandments
are still seen by most British people as important principles to
live by. Unsurprisingly the Commandment most Brits think is still
important to live by is thou shalt not kill, at 93%, along
with thou shalt not steal. Both are also seen as still
important by 94% of Christians and 93% of those with no religion.
Not bearing false witness about others is 3rd with
87% of all Brits, 90% of Christians, and 86% of those with no
religion saying it is still important. To 73% of all Brits not
committing adultery is still a top life principle, including 69%
of non-religious Brits and 76% of Christians. Honoring thy father
and thy mother is still an important rule to follow for 69% of
all Brits, including 78% of Christians and 60% of the non-religious.
61% of Brits say Thou shall not covet is still a good rule to
live by, including 72% of Christians and 52% of those with no
religion. Just 31% of Brits say people should not worship idols
vs. 43% of Christians and 20% of non-religious Brits. Only 23%
overall say it’s wrong to take the Lord’s name in vain
including 38% of Christians and 7% of the non-religious. A mere 20%
of Brits still believe 1st commandment, I am the Lord
thy God, You shall have no other God before me, is still
relevant including 36% of Christians and 5% of the non-religious.
Keeping the Sabbath Day holy is seen as the least relevant with
19% of Brits saying it is still important, including 31% of
Christians (31%) and 7% of the non-religious.
(YouGov.co.uk 10/25/17)
Givers Learn As Kids
Most people who participate in giving as kids, especially as
volunteers, continue that habit as adults. It becomes part of their
mental makeup in a powerful way. And while moms tend to lead the way
with giving for their families, it’s even more effective when both
parents give, or when kids see other mentor figures giving. One of
the few relatively trustworthy predictors of
not giving is not seeing it happen in one’s family when
young. (ChristianityToday.com 11/30/17)
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Foster Letter---Religious Market Update, E-mail us at: subscribe@garydfoster.com
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