What Did You Learn from the Survey? - part 17

One final post on reasons for the name change...

We took a survey of those who attended the Exploring North class last November.  I've talked a lot about how much we learned from the survey, but I haven't been specific as to what we've learned. I wanted to tell you just a few things that we learned.

The reason that we chose to take the survey with them is because they are "new."  Many of them new to faith; most all of them new to North; and a majority new to joining a Baptist church.  Once you've been a Baptist for as long as I have (all my life) - you can become "numb" to what outsiders might think about us - and how it might impact their willingness to attend.  Also, we felt it was best to take the survey NOT among those who might never join a Baptist Church, but those who DID.  If we took the survey among those who never would join a Baptist Church - the information may not be helpful. So we wanted to find people who hadn't attended North until more recently, but were likely from a different background (as a majority of those who come to North do not come from Baptist backgrounds).

Here are some of the things we learned in the survey:

• 30% of those who took the survey took a longer time to visit our church because of its name.
• 67% believe it has a negative impact on those they are trying to reach with the Gospel and that our name is a stumbling block to getting them to visit North.
• 60% said their preconceived notions of what a Baptist Church would be like - weren't true of North.
  

Those three numbers are important.  They tell us that those who end up here - a majority aren't bothered by the name (70%).  BUT - they people they want to reach ARE bothered by the name (67%).  Not surprisingly, we are reaching the people that aren't bothered by the name and we aren't reaching those who are bothered by it.  I am more convinced than ever that we are non-verbally communicating that a "Baptist Church" is for "Baptists." 

The third number convinced us that what people "think" a Baptist is (culturally) is not true of North.  The name is not truly reflective of what people believe a Baptist is.  I've often said - if when people think "Baptist" - if they think - "Bible, Jesus, the cross, humility, kindness" - I would NEVER want to give up the name!!

Here are just some of the comments that were made in the survey:

• "We tried several churches in the area (spent almost 6 months looking). I grew up in a Baptist church and we were avoiding Baptist churches in our search. It was only after not finding anything else that we liked that we decided to try out North."
• "I live down the street and always 'thought' of going, but wasn't sure what to expect. 'Baptist' always meant 'strict' in my book. But then I was having lunch with a friend who said he attended North and how great it was, so I decided to visit. On my second visit I was saved. That was on August 2008 and I've been there since."
• "Before coming to North, I've only visited a Baptist church a few times when visiting my husband's family. Here is what I observed: a choir, red-faced preacher dripping with sweat and preaching at high decibels. People were dressed up, but not necessarily friendly."
• "The church I grew up in (nondenominational) unfortunately had a rather disdainful opinion of 'Baptists.' In fact, I've had a rather difficult time explaining North as a different kind of Baptist church than the stereotype. I've been asked many questions, basically wanting to make sure the church was theologically sound."
• "I was invited about 4 or 5 times to attend and each time I made up an excuse about why I didn't want to solely because it was a 'Baptist' church. Only after we were invited by a second group of friends did we decide it was worth a shot!"
• "People just associate Baptists in general as confrontational and judgmental. When I tell people what church I go to, there are times I simply say 'North,' in order to avoid controversy."
• "I think a lot of people are scared or turned off by the word 'Baptist,' partly because of what they think Baptists are like, and partly because of what others would view them to be like. I am still uncomfortable at times, depending on who I am talking to, saying my kids go to North Baptist School because of judgments people make, and ones that I would probably make too if we didn't attend."
• "My parents visit every summer; my sister suggested they go with us one Sunday last year and my mother's response was, 'I'm not going to a Baptist church.'"
• "I find that when someone asks me where I attend church, I almost hate to say 'Baptist' because of what they think of Baptists. Not because of what I believe."
• "I think, especially in this part of the country, 'Baptist' is a pretty negative term. I think it kinda scares people away. I often feel like I have to explain myself when I tell people I go to a Baptist church."
• "I think it's comforting for people who belong to the club, but intimidating to those who are unchurched and outside of a relationship with Christ. I think the name creates expectations that may or may not be true. I think it would be easier to invite people to a church without labels but who is known for the exciting things going on and for changed lives because of the Gospel."
• "I come from a Catholic background and my family sees the name as a negative."
• "I know some people who have had bad "run-ins" with 'Baptists' and won't set foot in a Baptist Church again."
• "Before I got saved I would hear the word 'Baptist' and I would judge it because of all my 'Baptist' friends, that went to church on Sunday, but didn't live it out any other day. I thought all Baptists were fake."
• "I feel like every time I invite someone to visit I have to say something like, 'yeah, its Baptist, but not like you would expect' - because most people seem to have the same feelings about Baptists that I had before visiting."
• "As inaccurate as stereotypes can be, they're out there."
• "I do think because Baptist has so many meanings to even non-Christians that I find myself explaining why I attend this church rather than sharing the gospel plain and simple because of the raised eye-brows I get when I say the name."
• "I felt that people attending a Baptist Church saw themselves as Baptists first and followers of Christ second."
• "All of my concerns and preconceived notions about Baptists are not found in this church at all. Christ is first and all else is second. That is what I love about North."
• "It would be sad to have the name changed, but I look forward to discussing the change in name with friends and co-workers."

Comments

[Rebecca Chalone]

How many dollars would be saved by simply dropping Baptist? The sign could be kept, all the paperwork could be continued to be used up - just cover the name - People like the name North - your agenda is met - and we are fiscally carefull...

[David Whiting]

Interesting thought, Rebecca. We have budgeted for a new sign (our current one is hard to read as you drive by). Plus, I'm not sure covering up the word "Baptist" is the best way to accomplish the task. And God's agenda (The Great Commission) is worthy of a new, high-quality sign. The monies were given through a missionary's memorial gift. But I like the name "North Church" too. I am sure it will be one of the options.

[Joan Smith]

NORTH BIBLE CHURCH

Keeps the acronym NBC.
With the Bible, North connotes the way is up.