I have to start out by saying: I'm not a numbers guy. I'm more of a qualitative than a quantitative data type of a person. Did well in English; got to Trignomoetry and asked "What are all of these letters doing in place of the numbers?"
But let's be honest: there's some truth in the numbers. So, let's take a look at a few.
First, Easter:
- We had 44 people take some sort of a spiritual step from slavery to freedom this weekend.
- Of those 44, 4 of them made a decision to step over the faith line.
- Several others indicated that they'd like to start a journey to ask some of these bigger faith questions.
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Second, Urban Compassion:
Pictured above is the model that we use to help people along the journey towards compassion for the urban parts of Waterloo. So, as it concerns the first column, one-time events:
- We have had 61 people sign up and take Pastor Carl's Urban Compassion class.
- We had over 40 people participate in Love Cedar Valley, building our community garden our blessing the urban community in other ways.
As it concerns the second column, small groups and community bridges:
- From the first Urban Compassion class, 15 people have decided to continue to meet regularly as a small group, furthering their learning and discussion on compassion. Jerry Stout is facilitating that group.
- From the second Urban Compassion class, 15 people have decided to continue to meet regularly as a small group as well. Pastor Carl is still facilitating that class, and will hand off facilitation to a group member once the third Urban Compassion class starts in the fall.
- We are slated to open our community garden sometime in May/early June, which will provide ongoing bridges to connect with the urban community in Waterloo.
As it concerns the third column, lifestyle bridge building, where people are serving in the community organically, on their own initiative, on their own time:
- 7 people from the first Urban Compassion group are serving in some capacity - either at the Boys and Girls Club, the Salvation Army, or mentoring in the Waterloo schools in that area.
- 7 people from the second Urban Compassion group have completed their first tour of the Boys and Girls Club, and will begin serving there shortly.
- At least 2 people are serving either on the board or in some other capacity at the House of Hope.
- Pastor Carl has been invited and has accepted a seat on the board at the Boys and Girls Club.
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Finally, the Reveal study (yeah, remember taking that?). Here are some interesting findings about our campus:
- A total of 58 of us took the survey. Based on an average adult attendance of 150, 39% of us took the survey. 20% was needed for the results to be an acceptable sample.
- Our Waterloo congregation is comprised of more mature believers than the national average (35% of us are at the highest level of maturity). However, we are also well below the national average for those who are still only exploring a relationship with Christ (approximately 3%).
- Of those of us in the most mature category, only 70% of us believe in the authority of the Bible.
- An incredibly high percentage of us are serving. 95% of those who took the survey are serving in some capacity. Over one-third of us are serving those in need through the church - also above the national average.
- The two primary ways we engage spiritually with others are through spiritual friendships and serving others in need on our own. We do both more than most other churches.
- Only 16% of us are reflecting on Scripture daily - below the national average.
- 50% of us are tithing - above the national average.
- 12% of us are dissatisfied with our experience at Prairie Lakes Waterloo and considering leaving (compared with an 18% national average). 70% of those 12% (approximately 7 respondents) are considering leaving our campus because they are having trouble connecting with people in church.
So, there you go, numbers people. Have a happy numbers-filled rest of your day.
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