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Clayton Pepper Center for Church Growth Studies
Religious Survey Project
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (John 17:20-23 NIV)
Objectives
Just before the dark night spent in the garden, Jesus prayed for those who were to come in the future believing the message of his Disciples. He asked his father that they would be one; as unified as the Son and the Father. He knew even then that the world would believe in him if his followers were unified. But what if they weren't?. . .Current statistics on the divisions of Christianity list between 3,000 to more than 20,000 different sects and denominations. Estimates vary widely because even the perimeters of what makes a sect are disputed. Regardless of the exact figures, even the modest estimate of 3,000 boggles the mind of a would be truth-seeker. Teachings vary as much as names do, each one professing the truth, or some portion of it. But to the lost of this world and those who seek evidence of a real God, the global Christian Community threatens to consume them in a quagmire of differing beliefs and disputed issues.
The Clayton Pepper Center for Church Growth Studies (CPCCGS)
is dedicated to promoting the unity that Jesus seeks by restoring the standard of Christ
and the Bible. The Religious Survey Project is designed to research
the current beliefs of our communities and provide information toward the achievement
of the restored world-wide church objective.
Why This Survey?
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Information is the key to knowing how to begin, where to make our move,
the needs that must be addressed, and how the people of the world can be united into the
body of Christ. This survey is a useful tool in gathering that information. Combined with
the data of the Bible and the effort of loving, hard working Christians, CPCCGS hopes all
people everywhere will have the opportunity to believe and be a part of a body that
legitimately meets their needs.
What is the Value of Me Taking the Survey?
- You will be assisting local churches and Christians everywhere to better prepare to meet your needs and the needs of others.
- Your answers will let the CPCCGS know more about the beliefs of the population of the world.
- You will be able to receive valuable feedback and statistics on how others in your area and the world answered the same questions.
- When you complete each question, it will arouse thought about what you really believe and will increase your self-understanding.
Print out a survey to complete and mail it in.
What is the Value for a Church to Participate in the Survey?
As the body of Christ, it is one of our responsibilities, and should be one of our foremost goals, to be the church of the Bible. We must be willing to reach out our hand to a struggling world and draw those, who will accept it, to the love of Jesus. It should be our goal to reconcile sinners to God, but also believing brother to believing brother. This survey could help you to:- Prepare an outreach plan based on the needs of your community
- Understand better the beliefs of other religious groups
- Gain exposure and visibility in the community
- Have direct contact with those who need Jesus and a opportunity to find out about each person's spiritual condition
- Build faith as the survey is worked and followed up, increasing involvement and encouraging leadership skills
- Aid community perception by actually listening to the people
What is the Value in Me, As an Individual, Working the Survey
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation. . ." (Isaiah 52:7 NIV). What better thing is there than being in the Lord's work? Being a survey worker is more than just filling out forms with people. It is real contact that can and does lead to deep spiritual discussions and opens doors to touch lives. As a survey worker you can:- Know that your effort, whether great or small will promote the Lord's kingdom
- Work with people in a hands on setting that produces fruit
- Learn more about the beliefs of others
- Have a legitimate reason when the door of the house is open to engage the person in conversation
- Use the opportunity to set up studies with people about God love and the unity of his body.
- Have your faith tested and grown as it overcomes communication barriers and awkward situations.
The Usefulness of the Survey
Back to topBeing "in the world" but not "of the world" is a delicate balance. The line is very fine between disallowing the ways of the world to effect Christians and yet still staying in touch enough to find out how to be "all things to all people" (1 Cor. 9:22). The Religious Survey is a tool that can help us maintain the balance while letting us understand the position of those in the world.
The Power of the Question
Often Jesus asked questions to those who came to learn from him or find healing or redemption. Considering all the questions he asked, Jesus was either clueless or he was using inquiries to touch lives. When considering that he was shown all things by the Father, the later must be true.
- When you ask a question you are showing interest in peoples lives.
- You are finding out about their needs, feelings, and opinions.
- You are demonstrating open mindedness for both parties to feel accepted.
- Questions cause people to think and learn more about themselves.
How Does This Help?
- The Survey effectively finds out who in the community is interested in knowing God, knowing the truth, and being united as the body of Christ.
- It gives churches raw data to organize outreach into the community.
- It helps individuals make contacts and begin bible studies.
How Does the CPCCGS Benefit?
Information is vital for the CPCCGS to do its job. Primarily, the CPCCGS uses the survey advise churches and individuals on how to better identify and touch their local communities. This opens hearts and doors so Christ's church can grow. Also, the results of the survey bring about unity among believers everywhere strengthening the body of Christ. Since Church Growth is what CPCCGS is all about, the survey effectively helps us and others meet their goals.
Back to top- Decide to what extent to use the survey:
- If you simply wish to contribute your opinions to the project click On-line Survey and your results will be automatically included in
the project.
- If you wish to use the survey for personal evangelistic or religious research print out
a survey form, read "Understanding and
Using the Religious Survey", and read "Reporting Results
(Off-line)" or "Reporting Results On-line" or write to the
CPCCGS for a packet of information at: Clayton Pepper Center for Church Growth
Studies, c/o Ohio Valley College, 4501 College Parkway, Parkersburg, WV 26101.
Results may be reported at the same address. Remember to check back frequently with
this site to get updated versions of the survey and import facts and updates.
- If you are a church or are interested in using the survey in your area or as preliminary work to doing mission work else where please call the CPCCGS at (1) 304-385-7384 ext. 250 or e-mail us to let us know about your work. Then print out a survey form, read "Understanding and Using the Religious Survey", and read "Reporting Results (Off-line)" or "Reporting Results On-line" or write to the CPCCGS for a packet of information at: Clayton Pepper Center for Church Growth Studies, c/o Ohio Valley College, 4501 College Parkway, Parkersburg, WV 26101. Results may be reported at the same address. Remember to check back frequently with this site to get updated versions of the survey and import facts and updates.
- If you simply wish to contribute your opinions to the project click On-line Survey and your results will be automatically included in
the project.
- Organize workers who will be willing to be involved in your work. Teach them the
how to approach people, what to say, and the rationale behind the survey questions. Also
it is a good idea to teach them the Unity Study and provide
them with the information. This study is an excellent beginning place to start with those
you meet in the community.
- Go out into the community giving the survey. Logging which houses and which
streets are covered in each neighborhood so you can be sure not to cover the same house
twice and be able to come back to the houses with no answer at a later time. Offer the
study on unity to every individual after the survey. Further instructions are included in "Understanding and Using the Religious Survey". Also don't
forget to offer all takers the results of the survey in your community upon completion and
take down their address and name to do so.
- After you are done the survey, tally the results of all the questions (see Reporting Results (Off-line) or Reporting
Results On-line to find out more) and send them with to the Clayton Pepper Center
for Church Growth Studies.
- We will prepare a report to be posted on-line and provide it for you so that you can copy it and provide it for those who indicated interest in the results. We also recommend you raise awareness of your existence and efforts by posting the results in the local newspaper.
