CenterforCreativeMinistry

Box683
MiltonFreewater,Oregon97862

Phone,800.272.4664
Fax,800.858.1513
www.creativeministry.org

2010,CenterforCreativeMinistryandNorthAmericanDivisionFamilyMinistries

Introduction
ThisstudywascommissionedbytheFamilyMinistriesDepartmentoftheSeventhday
AdventistChurchinNorthAmerica.ThedirectorisDr.WillieOliver.Theresearchwas
implementedbytheCenterforCreativeMinistry,oneoftheresourcecentersaffiliated
withtheNorthAmericanDivisionoftheAdventistChurch.Theteamforthisproject
includedMonteSahlin,primaryinvestigatorandanalyst;PaulRichardson,executive
directorofthecenter;PetrCincala,dataprocessingandstatistics;andresearch
assistantsNormaSahlin,ElizabethSalisbury,JeannieHartwell,CarolSpence,RobertSeal
andMelissaSahlin.
Thisreportisbasedonatotalof1,397questionnairesreturnedfromarandom,double
blindsampleoffamiliesintheAdventistChurchintheUnitedStates,Canadaand
Bermuda.Thissamplewasobtainedwiththecollaborationof267pastors,whowere
selectedthroughastratified,rollingrandomsampleoftelephoneinterviewsandagreed
todistributequestionnairepacketstoheadsofhouseholdsintheircongregations.Email
contactwasmadetogetacountofthenumberofpacketsnotdistributed.Theresponse
ratewas39percentfromthedistributedpackets,wellwithinacceptedstandardsfora
probabilitysurveysample.Thestratifiedsamplingmethodassuredthatcongregations
fromeveryoneofthe58localconferencesintheNorthAmericanDivisionofthe
SeventhdayAdventistChurchwereincludedinthisstudy.
Thedoubleblindmethodmeansthattheresearchteamhadnowayofknowingwhich
individualsorfamilieswerehandedasurveypacket,andthepastorshadnowayof
knowingwhichfamiliesactuallyrespondednoranyopportunitytoreviewthe
completedquestionnaires.Thismethodwasusedtoassureconfidentialityinastudy
thattouchesonmanysensitivetopics.ThepastorswereinstructedtousetheNthname
selectmethodwithalistoftheirmemberstorandomlydistributethequestionnaires
withintheircongregations.Theydidsoalmostentirelyamongactivemembers,sothis
studygenerallyexcludesthosememberswhohavestoppedattendingchurch.
Astandardallowanceforsamplingerrormustbemadeinallprobabilitysurveys.Atthe
95thpercentileofreliabilitytheallowanceforsamplingerrorforthisparticularsample
sizeisthreepercentagepoints,plusorminus.Seethetechnicalappendixforamore
detaileddiscussionofthistopic.
Comparisonsaremadethroughoutthisreportfromasimilarsurveyconductedin1993
94andasimilarstudyconductedbyCharlesCriderandRobertKistlerofAndrews
Universityin197475.Publishedresultsofthesestudiesareincludedinthe
bibliography.
MonteSahlin
March2010

Current Marital Status

58%

Married
Widowed

6%

Divorced&single

8%

Divorced&remarried
Remarried&divorced
Remarried&widowed
Nevermarried

16%
3%
2%
6%

ThreeoutoffourSeventhdayAdventistadultsinNorthAmericaaremarried;58percent
stillintheirfirstmarriageandanother16percentdivorcedandcurrentlyremarried.Those
under45yearsofageareevenmorelikelytostillbeintheirfirstmarriage,asarethose
fromhouseholdswithannualincomesof$50,000ormoreandthose whoareimmigrants.
Thosewhohavebeenremarriedaremorelikelytobeover45yearsofage,nativeborn
andofwhiteethnicity.
OneinfourAdventistsaresingleadults,includingeightpercentwhoarewidowed,11
percentwhoaredivorcedandstillsingle,andsixpercentwhohavenevermarried.The
divorcedsinglesaremorelikelytobemiddleaged,fromhomeswithannualincomes
under$25,000andAfricanAmericanormultiethnic.Thewidowedaremorelikelytobe
seniorcitizensandthenevermarriedaremorelikelytobeyoungadults.

Marital Status Trends

81%
59%
58%

12%16%
10%
9% 8%
6%
3%
2%
1% 2% 3%
0.4%
Married

1% 1% 2%

1%

7% 6%

Widowed Divorced& Divorced& Remarried Remarried Never

single
remarried &divorced &widowed married
197475

199394

2009

Overthepast35yearstherehasbeenadeclineinthepercentageofmarriedpeople
amongAdventistsinNorthAmericaandanincreaseinthenumberofsingleadults.The
numberofthosewhoaredivorcedandremarriedhasincreasedmostsignificantly.Itis
likelythatthepercentageofthosenevermarriedhasnotchanged;the197475survey
verylikelydiscouragedresponsesfromyoung,unmarriedadults.Manyofthechangesover
thelast15yearsarenotstatisticallysignificant.

Year of First Marriage

1930's
1940's
1950's
1960's
1970's
1980's
1990's
2000's
0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Themarriagesreportedinthisstudyincludeafewthatoccurred inthe1930sandsomein
the1940s,butmosthaveoccurredsince1970.Afewoccurredasrecentlyastheearly
monthsof2009.Themedianyearis1978.Halfofthemarriagesincludedinthisstudydate
frombefore1978andhalffromafter1978.
Thiscoversawiderangeoftimeandsocialcontexts.Attitudes, beliefsandpractices
relatedtomarriagehavechangedoverthisperiodoftimeandthatfactorexplainssomeof
thediversityofresponsesinthissurvey.Thisstudyalsorevealsmanyofthelastvaluesthat
SeventhdayAdventistsinvestinmarriageandfamilies.

Married in a Church
No
29%
Yes
71%

SevenintenAdventistsreportthattheyweremarriedinachurch.Thosefromhouseholds
withannualincomesof$50,000ormoremiddleanduppermiddleclassfamiliesare
evenmorelikelytohavehadachurchwedding,asareimmigrants andthosewhoreport
thatthemarriageendedindivorce.
Itshouldbekeptinmindthattheseincludepeoplewhoweremarriedinachurchof
anotherdenomination,someofwhomonlylaterbecamemembersoftheAdventist
Church.Nonetheless,thisshowsthewidespreadvalueplacedonChristianmarriageamong
SeventhdayAdventistsinNorthAmerica.Clearlyachurchweddingisthe norm.

Trend: Married In a Church

71%

68%

197475

2009

Therehasbeenonlyamarginalincreaseinchurchweddingsoverthepast35years;atotal
ofthreepercentwhichistheallowanceforsamplingerrorinaprobabilitysampleofthis
size.Thisfactmeansthatthereisnorealchangeinthispracticeinmorethanthree
decades,whichisfurtherevidencethatthisisasolidnormfor theAdventistcommunityin
NorthAmerica.

Wedding Presided Over By

Clergyofmyfaith

65%

Clergyofspouse'sfaith

6%

Clergyofotherfaith

13%

Civilofficial
Otherperson

14%
2%

Twothirdsoftherespondentsreportthattheirweddingwaspresidedoverbyaclergy
personoftheirfaith.Thoseunder45yearsofagearemorelikelytoselectthisresponse,as
arethosefromuppermiddleclasshouseholdswithannualincomesof$75,000ormore
andthosewhoreportthattheirethnicityisCaribbean.
OneinsevenmarriedAdventistsindicatethattheyweremarriedbyaJusticeofthePeace,
magistrateorothercivilofficial.AfricanAmerican,Hispanicandmultiethnicrespondents
aremorelikelytosaythis,asarethosefromlowincomehouseholdswithannualincomes
under$25,000andthosewhoreportthatthemarriageendedindivorce.
Aboutthesamepercentagereportthattheyweremarriedbyclergyfromadenomination
otherthantheirownorthatoftheirspouse.Immigrantsaremorelikelytoreportthis,as
arethosefromlowincomehouseholdsandthosewhoindicatethatthemarriageended in
divorce.
Justsixpercentoftherespondentsindicatethattheministerwhoconductedtheirwedding
wasfromtheirspousesdenomination,butnottheirown.Obviouslytheseweremarriages
inwhicheachpartnercamefromadifferentdenomination,apracticethathashistorically
beendiscouragedbytheAdventistChurch.Thoseover45yearsof agearemorelikelyto
givethisresponse.

Trend: Wedding Presided Over By

65%
67%

Clergyofmyfaith
Clergyofspouse'sfaith

6%
4%
13%
11%

Clergyofotherfaith

14%

Civilofficial
Otherperson

9%
2%
2%
2009

197475

Thereisasmall,butgrowingpercentageofSeventhdayAdventistswhoareusingclergyof
anotherfaithoracivilofficial(suchasaJusticeofthePeaceorlocalmagistrate)topreside
attheirweddings.Itshouldbekeptinmindthatsomeoftheseindividualsjoinedthe
AdventistChurchsometimeaftertheirweddingandwerenotAdventistsatthetimethey
madechoicesabouttheirwedding.Therewasahigherpercentageoftheseconvertsinthe
1970sthanin2009,soanappropriateadjustmenthadtobemadetoprovidecomparable
percentagesforthegraphabove.
ItismostlikelythatthesedatareflectageneraltrendinNorthAmericansocietyrather
thanatrendthatisparticulartotheAdventistcommunity.Youngadultsinthemostrecent
generationofAmericansaremorelikelytoplananontraditional wedding.

Age Difference Between Spouses

Sameage

18%

Oneor2years

31%

Threeto5years

29%

Sixto10years
11to15years
16ormoreyears

17%
3%
2%

Aboutoneinfiverespondentsindicatethattheywerethesameageastheirspouse.Young
adultsfromtheMillennialgenerationaremorelikelytogivethisresponse,asarethose
whoarenativeborn.
Nearlyathirdofrespondentssaythattheyandtheirspouseare nomorethantwoyears
differentinage.YoungadultsfromtheMillennialgenerationaremorelikelytogivethis
response,asarethosewhoreporttheirethnicityasAsianorPacificIslander.
Another29percentreportthatthereisathreetofiveyeardifferenceintheirageandthat
oftheirspouse.Blacksandmultiethnicindividualsaremorelikelytogivethisresponse.
Aboutoneinsixrespondentsreportanagedifferenceofsixtotenyears.African
Americansandthosewhoreportthatthemarriageendedindivorceareevenmorelikely
togivethisresponse.
Muchsmallernumbersofrespondentsindicatethattheagedifferencebetweenspousesis
morethantenyears.Throughouttheentiresample,feweryearscorrelatewithahigher
reportedannualhouseholdincome.

Trends: Age Difference Between Spouses

18%
18%

Sameage

31%
33%
29%
28%

Oneor2years
Threeto5years
Sixto10years
11to15years
16ormoreyears

14%

17%

3%
1%
2%
2%
2009

197475

Theagedifferencesbetweenspouseshavenotchangedin35years.Inonlyoncecategory
isthepercentagereportedinthe197475surveysignificantlydifferentfromthe
percentagefoundinthecurrentsurveyandthatisonlyamarginaldifference.Thispoints
tosomedeeperdynamicsinhumanrelationshipsthatdonotchangemuchovertime.

Length of Courtship
44%

42%
37%
22%

18%

17%

12%
7%

Lessthansixmonths Sevenmonthstoa
year
Beforeengagement

13to24months

Morethantwoyears

Betweenengagementandmarriage

Themajorityofrespondentswhohavebeenmarriedreportthattheyknewtheirspouse
formorethanayearbeforetheybecameengaged,anditwasless thanayearfromtheir
engagementtotheirwedding.ThisisthepatternformostAdventistcouplesanditiseven
morelikelyamongtodaysyoungadultsintheMillennialgeneration.Blacksand
immigrantsarealsomorelikelytoreportlongercourtship.
Alittlemorethanoneinfiverespondentsreporthavingknowntheirspouseforseven
monthstoayearpriortotheirengagement.Seniorcitizensaremorelikelytogivethis
response,asarenativebornindividuals,Hispanics,multiethnicpersons,thosefromlower
middleincomehouseholds($10,000to$25,000annualincomes)and thosewhoreport
thatthemarriageendedindivorce.
Just17percentsaythattheyknewtheirspousesixmonthsorlessbeforebecoming
engaged.Thosefromthelowestincomehouseholds(under$10,000ayear)aremorelikely
togivethisresponse,asareseniorcitizens,Hispanics,whites,thenativebornandthose
whoreportthatthemarriageendedindivorce.

10

Thelargestnumberofrespondents(44percent)reportthatitwassixmonthsorless
fromtheirengagementtotheirwedding.Boththeoldestrespondentsandtheyoungest
aremorelikelytogivethisresponse,asarewhiteandHispanicrespondentsandthose
whoreportthatthemarriageendedindivorce.
Another37percentindicatethattheirengagementlastedsevenmonthstoayear.
YoungadultsintheMillennialgenerationaremorelikelytogivethisresponse,asare
respondentswhosaytheirethnicityisCaribbeanormultiethnic.
Aboutonerespondentineight(12percent)saysthatthetimefromwhentheybecame
engagedtotheirweddingwasonetotwoyears.ThoseinGenerationX(currentlyin
their30sandearly40s)aremorelikelytogivethisresponse,asareimmigrants.
OnlysevenpercentofAdventistcouplesreportthatmorethantwoyearslapsed
betweenbecomingengagedandtheirwedding.Clearlythiscategorymustincludesome
specificissuesineachcasethatdelayedplans.Immigrantsaremorelikelytogivethis
response,whichsuggeststhatproblemsrelatedtotheimmigrationofoneofthe
spousesmayhavebeeninvolved.Itisalsotruethathigherhouseholdincomecorrelates
withlongerengagements,whichmayindicatethatsomecoupleswaitedforoneorboth
spousestocompleteprofessionaleducationinmedicineorotherdisciplinesbefore
gettingmarried.

11

Trend: How Long Had You Known Your

Spouse before Becoming Engaged?
42%
30% 31%
21% 21%

17%

24% 24% 22%

22% 23%

Lessthansixmonths Sevenmonthstoa
year
197475

18%

13to24months

199394

Morethantwoyears

2009

Thereisclearlyarecenttrendtowardwaitinglongertogetengaged.Theshortertime
periodsallhavesmallerpercentagesinthe2009surveythanintheprevioussurveys,while
thelongesttimeperiodhasaboutonethirdmoreresponsesin2009thanpreviously.
Therecentlengtheningofthetimeinwhichspouseswereknowntoeachotherbefore
theybecameengagedmayindicatethatmarriageisbeingdelayed, whichisageneraltrend
inNorthAmericatoday.Itcouldalsoindicatethatyoungadults aremorelikelytodayto
wanttomarrysomeonetheyhaveknownforalongtimeandlesslikelytotakeachance
onsomeonetheyhaveknownforashortertime.

12

Trend: From Engagement to Marriage

47%

44%
37%
31%
15%

Lessthansixmonths Sevenmonthstoa
year
199394

12%

13to24months

7%

7%

Morethantwoyears

2009

Theintervalbetweenengagementandmarriagehasincreasedalittleoverthepast15
years,althoughthelargestpercentageofAdventistcouplesstillwaitonlysixmonthsor
lessfromthetimeoftheirengagementtotheirwedding.Thepercentagewaitingmore
thanayearhasactuallydeclined.Again,thisquestionwasaskedinthe197475surveybut
notreportedinCriderandKistler.
Suchasmallshifttowardaslightlylongerperiodoftimebetweenengagementand
marriagemaysimplyreflectthewaylifehasbecomemorecomplicatedformostNorth
Americansoverthelast15years.Itmaysimplybeduetoschedulingissuesforfacilities
andservicesassociatedwithweddings.Thistrendisquitesmall anddoesnotseemtobe
associatedwithanymajorsocialchangesintheU.S.orCanada.

13

Where did you first meet your

spouse?
Atschool
Atchurch
Workorprof'lactivity
Yourorspouse'shome
Concert,play,bar,etc.
Ataparty
Airport,busstop,etc.
Travelingorvacation
Atacivicgroup
Online
Other

24%
19%
12%
9%
6%
4%
4%
2%
2%
1%
17%

OneinfourAdventistcouplesfirstmettheirspouseatschool.Youngadultsinthe
Millennialgenerationaremorelikelytoreportthis,asarewhite,nativebornrespondents
andthosefromuppermiddleclasshouseholdswithannualincomesof$75,000ormore.
OneinfiveAdventistcouples(19percent)metatchurch.Again, todaysyoungadultsare
morelikelytogivethisresponseandsoareimmigrantsandthosefrommiddleclass
householdswithannualincomesof$50,000to$75,000.
Thesedataunderlinetheimportanceofschools,campusministrygroupsandlocalchurch
youthministriesrelativetohelpingAdventistyoungadultsmarrywithintheirfaith
community.IftheAdventistChurchwantstomaintainitstraditionofencouragingits
youngpeopletomarryotherAdventists,thenitisessentialtomaintainandstrengthen
theseministries.
OneineightAdventistsfirstmettheirspouseatworkorthroughtheirprofessional
activities.Butthosewhoreportedthatthemarriageendedindivorcearemorelikelyto
givethisresponse.

14

Trends: Where did you first meet

your spouse?
24%

Atschool
Atchurch
Workorprof'lactivity
Yourorspouse'shome
Concert,play,bar,etc.
Ataparty
Airport,busstop,etc.
Travelingorvacation
Atacivicgroup
Online
Other

7%
9%

15%
12%

39%

19%

15%

6%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%

2009

10%

197475

17%

SchoolasacontextwhereyoungAdventistsmeettheirfuturemateshasbecomedecidedly
lessimportantoverthepastthreedecadesascomparedtootherlocations.Atthesame
time,thepercentageofAdventistswhoreportthattheyfirstmettheirspouseatworkor
inthecourseoftheirprofessionalactivitieshasnearlydoubled.Thelocalchurchhasalso
becomeamoreimportantarenaforAdventiststomeetfuturematesandpastorsneedto
paymoreattentiontothisimportantfunctionofpastoralcareandchurchlife.

15

Who introduced you to your

spouse?
Weintroducedourselves

39%

Afriendorfriends

29%

Parentsorrelatives
Workassociate
Pastororchurchworker
Neverformallyintroduced

13%
2%
1%
16%

TwoinfiveAdventistcouplesreportthatweintroducedourselves whentheyfirstmet.
Thisunderlinestheextenttowhichcourtshiphasbecomeaprivate,individualactivityin
contemporaryNorthAmerica.Blackandmultiethnicrespondentsaremorelikelytogive
thisresponse,asareboththosefromthepooresthouseholdswithannualincomesof
$10,000orlessperyearandthemostaffluenthouseholds,those withannualincomesof
$75,000ormore.
NearlyathirdofAdventistcouplesindicatethattheywerefirstintroducedbyafriendor
friends.Thosefrommiddleclasshouseholdsaremorelikelytogivethisresponse,asare
thosewithAsianorCaribbeanethnicity.
AboutoneineightAdventistcoupleswerefirstintroducedbyparentsorrelatives.Asian,
AfricanAmericanandmultiethnicrespondentsaremorelikelytoreportthis,asarethose
fromlowincomehouseholdswithannualincomesof$25,000orless.

16

Education Completed at the Time

of the Respondents First Marriage
Respondent
26% 27%

Spouse

26% 27%

26%
21%

14%

13%

9%

Nodiploma

Secondary
diploma

Somecollege

11%

Collegedegree Graduatedegree

MostAdventistcoupleshadcompletedatleastsomecollegeeducationatthetimeoftheir
wedding.Twoinfivehadgraduated.Thoseunder45yearsofagearemorelikelytohave
graduated,asarethosewhoareethnicminoritiesorimmigrants.
AthirdofAdventistcoupleshadonlyasecondarydiplomaorlesseducationatthetimeof
theirwedding.Seniorcitizensaremorelikelytogivethisresponse,asarenativeborn
respondents.
Thereisastrongcorrelationbetweenmoreeducationandhigherincomehouseholds.Itis
awellestablishedrealitythatinNorthAmericaeducationcorrelateswithhigherpaying
occupationsandclearlythisistrueamongAdventistfamiliesas well.Lesseducationatthe
timeofmarriagescorrelateswithgreaterlikelihoodofdivorceamongAdventists.These
correlationssuggestthatAdventistfamilylifeisrelatedtoanumberofmiddleclassvalues
andpractices.
Respondentsaresomewhatmorelikelytohavemarriedapersonwithlesseducationthan
theyhadcompletedatthetime.Thisdifferentialissmall.Most Adventistcouplesarewell
matchedintheireducation.

17

Relationship to the Adventist

Church at the Time of Marriage
Respondent

Spouse

52%
44%

9% 7%

17%

12% 12%
3% 4%

21%
12%

6%

Raised
HadRecently Joinedwithin Joinedmore NeverJoined
Raised
Joined
aYear
thanaYear
Adventist& Adventist&
notactive
Later
active
member

NearlytwothirdsofAdventists(63percent)marryaspousewhoisatthetimeamember
oftheAdventistChurchandanother16percentofthesenonmemberspouseslaterjoin
thechurch.Aboutathird(31percent)marryanonmemberandabouthalfofthese
spouses(16percentofthetotal)laterjointhechurchwhiletheotherhalf(15percent)
neverdo.Thesixpercentofrespondentswhoindicatethattheyneverjoined thechurch
inthisgraphicshouldbeunderstoodaspeoplewhobecameAdventistslongaftertheirfirst
marriagewasover.
RespondentsandspousesthatwereraisedbyAdventistparentsandwereactivechurch
membersatthetimeoftheirweddingaremorelikelytobeunder 45yearsofageandlive
inhouseholdswithannualincomesof$50,000ormore.Themarriageisalsomorelikelyto
havenotendedindivorce.
Twelvepercentofbothrespondentsandtheirspouseswererecent convertsatthetimeof
theirmarriage.Immigrantsandethnicminoritiesaremorelikely togivethisresponse,as
areadults32to64yearsofage,thosefromhigherincomehouseholdsandthosewho
reportthatthemarriageendedindivorce.
ThosewhojoinedtheAdventistChurchwithinayearaftertheirweddingaremorelikelyto
beolderrespondents,fromlowincomehouseholdsandAfricanAmericanormultiethnic.
Thosewhojoinedthechurchmorethanayearaftertheirwedding aremorelikelytobe
youngerindividualsandnativebornNorthAmericans.

18

Trend: Relationship to the Adventist

Church at the Time of Marriage
199394

2009

52%
35%
25%
11% 9%

15% 12%

17%
5% 3%

9% 6%

Raised
HadRecently Joinedwithin Joinedmore NeverJoined
Raised
Joined
aYear
thanaYear
Adventist& Adventist&
notactive
Later
active
member

Overthepast15yearsthepercentageofconvertsamongAdventistfamilieshasdeclined
significantly.Themajorityoftherespondentsinthemostrecentsurveywereraisedin
Adventisthomesandwerecurrentlyactivemembersatthetimeof theirfirstmarriage,
whilenearlyhalfoftherespondentsinthe199394survey(45percent)wereconverts.In
bothsurveysthoserespondentswhoneverjoined areunderstoodtobeindividualswho
becameAdventistsaftertheirfirstmarriageended.

19

Trend: Spouses Relationship to the

Adventist Church at the Time of Marriage
199394

2009

44%
29%

28%
9% 7%

17%

14% 12%

21%
12%

2% 4%

Raised
HadRecently Joinedwithin Joinedmore NeverJoined
Raised
Joined
aYear
thanaYear
Adventist& Adventist&
notactive
Later
active
member

Therehasbeenasignificantincreaseoverthelast15yearsinthepercentageofspouses
whowereraisedasAdventistsandwereactivechurchmembersatthetimeofthe
wedding.Atthesametimethepercentageofspouseswhoareconvertshasdeclined
some.
ThesedatamayindicatethatthedenominationspolicyofdiscouragingAdventistsfrom
marryingnonmembers.Analternativeexplanationisthatagrowingpercentage ofthe
memberswhomarrynonmembersaredroppingoutofthechurchandthereforewould
notbeinthesampleframeforthisstudy.Yetathirdexplanationwouldreferencealarger
realitythattheoverallnumberofconvertsisindecline.

20

Home During First Year of Marriage

13%

7%
HomeofTheirOwn

80%

LivedwithRelatives
OtherArrangements

FouroutoffiveAdventistcouplesimmediatelyestablishedahomeoftheirownatthetime
oftheirwedding.MiddleagedrespondentsfromtheBabyBoomgenerationaremore
likelytogivethisresponse,asarethosefromhouseholdswithannualincomesof$50,000
ormoreandnativebornNorthAmericans.
Just13percentofAdventistcouplesreportthattheylivedwith relativesforthreemonths
ormoreaftergettingmarried.Immigrantsaremorelikelytogivethisresponse,asare
thosefromhouseholdswheretheannualincomeisbelow$50,000.
Sevenpercentoftherespondentsdescribedadifferentlivingarrangementaftergetting
married,includingsomewhowereforcedtobeseparatedforatimeduetoimmigration
issues,education,etc.Notsurprisingly,thosemorelikelytogivethisresponseinclude
immigrantsandthosefromlowincomehouseholds.

21

Trend: Home During First Year

80%
62%
29%
13%

HomeofTheirOwn

LivedwithRelatives
199394

9%

7%

OtherArrangements

2009

Inthelast15yearstherehasbeenasignificantincreaseinthepercentageofAdventist
coupleswhobegantheirmarriedlifetogetherinahomeoftheir own.Thisisconsistent
withtheemphasisonhomeownership,includinggovernmentsubsidiesforfirsttimehome
buyers,whichhasdevelopedintheUnitedStatesinrecentdecades.Itisimportantto
rememberthatthesedatareflectmanysituationsthatoccurredpriortothe1990sandnot
justmarriagesinthelast15years,sothisgraphhighlightsalongertermtrendinsociety.
Thisquestionwasnotaskedinthe197475survey.

22

Marriages Resulting In
Divorce

25%

Deathofspouse

9%

Informalseparation

7%

Legalseparation

6%

Abandonmentbyspouse

6%

Spouseinstitutionalized

2%

Spouseimprisoned

1%

Marriageannulled

1%

Otherbreakup

2%

Respondents could
select more than one
response.

Oneinfourofthefirstmarriagesreportedinthisstudyendedindivorce.Itshouldbekept
inmindthataportionofthesemarriagesanddivorcesoccurredbeforetherespondent
joinedtheAdventistChurch.MiddleagedrespondentsfromtheBabyBoomgenerationare
morelikelytogivethisresponse,asarenativebornNorthAmericansandthosewho
reporttheirethnicityasAfricanAmericanorAsian.
Aboutoneintenrespondentsindicatethattheirfirstmarriageendedwiththedeathof
theirspouse.Seniorcitizensaremorelikelytogivethisresponse,asareBlacks,thosefrom
lowerincomehouseholdsandthosewhoreportthattheydidnotgetadivorce.
OneineightAdventists(13percent)endedtheirfirstmarriagewitheitheralegalor
informalseparation.Thoseintheir30sandearly40s(GenerationX)aremorelikelytogive
oneoftheseresponsesasareimmigrantsandethnicminorities.
Smallerpercentagesreportbeingabandonedbytheirspouseorthatthemarriageended
withtheinstitutionalizationorimprisonmentoftheirspouse,anannulmentorsomeother
outcome.Immigrantsaretwiceaslikelytoreportanannulmentandthosefrom
GenerationXandwhoidentifythemselvesasethnicminoritiesaremorelikelytoreport
theseevents.

23

Sex Before Marriage

Yes

86%

82%

No

60%
40%
18%

Sexualintercourse

Livetogether

14%

Bear/fatherachild

ThreeinfiveAdventistadultsreportthattheyhadsexualintercoursebeforemarriage.This
responsehasanegativecorrelationwithage,sotheyoungerarespondentis,themore
likelytheyaretoreportpremaritalsexualactivity.Thosewhohavehadadivorcearealso
morelikelytogivethisresponse,asarethosefromlowincomehouseholdsandthosewho
reporttheirethnicityasBlackorHispanic.
LessthanoneAdventistadultinfiveindicatesthattheylivedwiththeirspousepriorto
marriage.Thosewhohavehadadivorcearemorelikelytogivethisresponse,asarethose
fromlowincomehouseholdsandethnicminorities.
OneinsevenAdventistadultshadachildbeforetheyweremarried.Thosewhohavebeen
throughadivorceatsomepointintheirlivesaretwiceaslikelytogivethisresponse,as
aremiddleagedrespondentsfromtheBabyBoomgenerationandthosewhoindicatethat
theirethnicityisBlackormultiethnic.
Thesedatademonstratethatpremaritalsexualactivityisfarmorewidespreadthanwould
beindicatedbytheteachingsoftheChurchonthistopic.Thispointsoutatopicthatneeds
discussionbychurchleaders,pastorsandtheologians.

24

Trend: Sex Before Marriage

64%

60%

15%

Sexualintercourse

18%
12%

Livetogether
199394

14%

Bear/fatherachild

2009

ThebehaviorofSeventhdayAdventistsrelativetopremaritalsexhasnotchanged
significantlyoverthepast15years.Thepercentagereportingthattheyhadsexual
intercoursepriortomarriagehasdeclinedslightly,buttheincreasedpercentageswho
reportthattheylivedtogetherorhadchildrenbeforemarriagearenotstatistically
significant.Overall,thisisanestablishedpatternofbehavior amongAdventiststhatdoes
notappeartobechanging.

25

Chief Decision-maker in the Family

4% 20%
5%
71%

Husband
Wife
Both
Other

Respondentswereasked,Allotherthingsbeingequal,whoisthechiefdecisionmakerin
yourfamily? Thevastmajoritysevenintenrespondedbothspouses. Youngadults
areevenmorelikelytogivethisresponse,asarethosewhohavenothadadivorceand
thosefrommiddleclasshouseholdswithannualincomesof$50,000to$75,000.
OneinfiveAdventistcouplesindicatethatthehusbandisthechiefdecisionmakerintheir
family.ThismoretraditionalviewismorelikelyamongAsians,thoseintheir30sandearly
40sfromGenerationX,thosefromlowincomehouseholdsandthosewhohavegone
throughadivorceatsomepointintheirlife.
Veryfewgaveotherresponses.Thenumbersinthesesegmentsare toosmalltoyield
significantdemographicdifferencesfromthetotalsample.
ClearlyanegalitarianmodelofmarriageiswidelyacceptedbyAdventistsinNorthAmerica.
Themoretraditionalmodelofmaleheadshipandfemalesubmissioniswidelyrejectedin
practice,ifnotinrhetoric.

26

Trend: Decision-making in the Family

71%
55%

61%

34%
25%

20%
5%

Husband

11%

5%

5%

Wife
197474

Both
199394

3%

4%

Other

2009

Adventistfamilieshaveclearlymovedawayfromthehusbandbeingthechiefdecision
makerinthefamilyandintoanegalitarianmodelofmarriagewherebothspousesshare
equallyinmakingdecisions.Despitethepromotionofthesubmissivewife conceptbya
numberofEvangelicalwritersandspeakersandtheAdventistswhoopposetheordination
ofwomenpastorsonsimilargrounds,itisclearthatmutualityiswinningoutinAdventist
marriages.
Thespikeinthe1990sinthepercentageoffamiliesinwhichthewifeisthechiefdecision
makercannotbeexplainedbyalargershareofsingleparentsin thatsurveybecausethe
percentageofsingleswasnotsignificantlydifferent.Itmaybe relatedtolargersocial
trendswiththecrestingofearlyfeministattitudesandyounger generationsofwomenwho
arelessinterestedinwifelydominationinmarriage.Thevarianceintheother categoryis
notstatisticallysignificant.

27

Major Sources of Marital Conflict

Money
Childdiscipline
Nagging,etc.
Sex
Inlaws
Adultery
Recreation
Employment
Religion
Jealousy
Homemaking
Alcohol
Mentalcruelty
Nonsupport
Drugs

18%
16%
16%
14%
13%
10%
9%
9%
8%
7%
5%
5%
2%
2%

38%

Respondents could
select up to three items.

Askedtoindicatetheissuesthathaveproducedthemajorsource ofconflictintheir
marriage,respondentsweretoldtoselectnomorethanthreeitemsfromalistof15.The
largestnumberofresponsesfocusedonmoney.MiddleagedrespondentsfromtheBaby
BoomgenerationandyoungadultsintheMillennialgenerationwereevenmorelikelyto
listmoneyasasourceofmaritalconflict,aswerethosefrombothlowincomeandmiddle
incomehouseholds.
Discipliningofthechildrenisasourceofconflictbetweenone infivecouples,andmore
likelyamongAsianrespondentsandthosewhohavenotgonethroughadivorce.Nagging,
continuousfaultfindingandcomplainingareamajorsourceofconflictforonecouplein
six.Sexisacauseofconflictforthesamepercentageofcouples.Theseissuesareequally
likelyamongalldemographiccategories.
OneinsevenAdventistcouplesexperienceconflictrelatedtotheirinlaws,andyoung
adults,immigrantsandethnicminoritiesareevenmorelikelyto reportthis.Oneineight
Adventistcouplesreportthatadulteryhasbeenacauseofconflictintheirmarriage.Ten
percentorlessoftherespondentsindicatedtheotheritemsonthelistwereasourceof
conflictintheirmarriageandeachofthesesegmentsistoosmalltoproducereliable
demographics.

28

Trends in Marital Conflict

Money

38%

20%

Child disc ipline

18%

11%

Nagging, etc .

16%

11%

Sex

16%

7%

In-law s

14%

7%

Adultery

13%

3%

Rec reation

6%

Employment

6%

Religion

6%

Jealousy

10%
9%
9%
8%

3%

Home-making

7%

3%

Alcohol/drugs

4%

Mental cruelty

2%

Nonsupport

1% 2%

1974-75

2009

7%
5%

Respondents could select multiple items.

Overthelast35yearsmaritalconflicthasincreasedacrossthe boardinAdventistfamilies.
Theonesingleareawhichasmallerpercentageofrespondentsmentionedin2009thanin
197475ismentalcruelty.Itisentirelypossiblethatthisislessremarkablebecauseofthe
overallincreaseinconflict.
Itisnotsurprisingthatconflictaboutmoneywasnearlydoubledin2009duetothefact
thattheU.S.wasinvolvedintheworsteconomicdownturnsincetheGreatDepressionof
the1930s.Atthesametimeconflicthasdoubledregardingsex,inlaws,jealousy,home
makingissues,andnonsupport.Theincidenceofconflictoveradulteryhasincreasedto
morethanfourtimesthepercentageinthe197475survey.

29

Positive Perceptions of Spouse

Loyaltoourmarriage

77%

Willingtoworkonconflict

56%

Stronglyreligious

56%

Expressive&loving

54%

Warm&affectionate

53%

Communicative

40%

Understandingwithme

39%

Sensitivetomyfeelings

37%

Acceptsmydifferences

36%

UnderstandswhatIsay

31%

Percent who
"Agree strongly."

Adventistmarriedadultsinthisstudywereaskedtorespondtotenstatementsabouttheir
spouse.Thelargestnumbermorethanthreeoutoffourindicatedthestrongest
possibleagreementwiththestatement,Myspouseisloyaltoourmarriage. Thoseunder
45yearsofageareevenmorelikelytogivethisresponse,asarethosewhohavenotgone
throughadivorceandthosefromhouseholdswithincomesof$50,000ormoreperyear.
Amajorityofrespondentsagreestrongly thattheirspouseiswillingtoworkonconflicts
intheirmarriage,hassstrongreligiouscommitment,oftenexpresseslovetothemandis
warmandaffectionatetowardthem.Youngeradultsaremorelikelytorespondinthe
samewaytoeachoftheseitems,asareimmigrants,thosewhohavenotexperienced
divorceandthosefromhouseholdswithannualincomesof$50,000 ormore.
Onlyaboutathirdorlittlemoreoftherespondentsagreestrongly theremainingfive
itemsonthelist.Again,youngerrespondents,thosewhohavenotgonethroughadivorce
andthosefromabovemedianincomehouseholdsaremorelikelytogivethisresponse.In
fact,thereisanegativecorrelationwithageforperceptionsofcommunicativeand
understandingspouses;theolderarespondentis,thelesslikelyitisthattheywillattribute
thesecharacteristicstotheirspouse.

30

Trends: Positive Perceptions of Spouse

77%

Loyaltoourmarriage
Willingtoworkonconflict

48%

84%

56%
64%

56%
53%
54%
54%
49%

Stronglyreligious
Expressive&loving

53%
52%

Warm&affectionate
40%
37%

Communicative
Understandingwithme

39%
35%

Sensitivetomyfeelings

37%
39%

60%

52%

36%
38%

Acceptsmydifferences

31%
32%

UnderstandswhatIsay
2009

199394

197475

Percent who
"Agree strongly."

Thetrendsintermsofhowrespondentsdescribethebehavioroftheirspouseintheir
marriagerelationshipisamixedbag.Therehasbeenadeclineinthepercentageof
respondentswhoreportthattheirspouseisloyaltoourmarriage, andthesameistrue
forthosewhosaytheirspouseiswarmandaffectionate towardthemand
communicative. Therehasbeenanincreaseinthepercentageofrespondentswho
indicatethattheirspouseisexpressiveandloving towardthemandunderstandingwith
me. Thereisnostatisticallysignificantdifferenceovertheyears inthepercentageof
respondentswhosaythattheirspouseisstronglyreligious,sensitivetomyfeelings,
acceptsmydifferences andunderstandswhatIsay.
Oneitemisparticularlyillustrativeofthemixedsetoftrends.Thepercentageof
respondentswhosaythattheirspouseiswillingtoworkonconflict inthemarriagewas
atitshighestpointinthe197475survey,droppedtoamuchlowerpercentageinthe
199394surveyandthenreboundedtoamidpointinthe2009survey.Eachofthese
differentialsislargeenoughtobestatisticallysignificant.
Althoughthereareupsanddownsinthespecificobservationsoverthedecades,theissues
involvedinmarriagerelationshipsremainmuchthesame.Fourmajoritemswereincluded
inallthreesurveys,whilesixmorewereaddedinthe199394and2009surveys.

31

Negative Perceptions of Spouse

Resistschange

11%

Isoftenimpatient

10%

Isnotverysupportive

9%

Doesnotlistentome

9%

Isuncooperative

8%
Percentwho
"Agreestrongly."

Theseriesofquestionsregardingperceptionsofthespouseincludedfivemoreitemsthat
werenegativestatements.AboutoneintenAdventistadultsindicatedthattheyagree
strongly thatthesenegativeattributesdescribetheirspouse.Thedifferentialbetween
individualitemsisnotstatisticallysignificant.Thoserespondentswhohavebeenthrougha
divorcearemorelikelytoagree,asareolderrespondents,andthosefromlowerincome
households.

32

Trends: Negative Perceptions of Spouse

11%
12%

Resistschange

10%

Isoftenimpatient
Isnotverysupportive

9%
9%

Doesnotlistentome

9%
8%

Isuncooperative

12%

11%

9%
Percentwho
"Agreestrongly."

1993-94

2009

Thenegativeperceptionsofthespousesofrespondentshavenotchangedsignificantlyin
thelast15years.Noneofthedifferencesarestatisticallysignificant.Atanygivenpointin
time,roughlyonetenAdventistshasadecidedlynegativeviewofoneormoreaspectsof
theirspousesbehaviorandattitudesintheirmarriage.Thismeansthatabouttenpercent
ofanycongregationordistrictisinneedofamarriageenrichmentorcouple
communicationclassorweekendofsomekind,orshouldpossiblybereferredfor
professionalmarriagecounseling.

33

Couple Conversation

Twoquestionsaskedspecificallyaboutthequalityofpersonalconversationsbetween
Adventistmarriedcouples.Howoftendotheytalkandhowwidely dotheirconversations
range?
Fouroutoffiverespondentsindicatethattheytalktospouseoften.Youngadultsfromthe
Millennialgenerationareevenmorelikelytoagree,asareHispanics,thosewhohavenot
experienceddivorceandthosefromhouseholdswithannualincomesof$75,000ormore.
ThesameproportionofAdventistcouplesindicatethattheytalk aboutawiderangeof
topicsintheirpersonalconversations.Again,youngadults,Hispanics,thosewhohavenot
gonethroughadivorceandthosefromuppermiddleincomehouseholdsareevenmore
likelytogivethisresponse.Thesameistrueforwhiterespondentsandseniorcitizens.

34

Trend: We Talk Often

60%
50%

50%
43%

40%

35%

30%

30%

20%

12% 12%

10%

2%

2%

8%

6%

0%
Agreestrongly

Agree
Notsure
somewhat
199394
2009

Disagree
somewhat

Disagree
strongly

Therehasbeenaverysmallimprovementinhowoftencouplestalkoverthepast15years.
Theincreaseinthetotalpercentageofrespondentswhoagreewiththisstatement,
includingbothagreestrongly andagreesomewhat, isnotenoughtobestatistically
significant,buttheincreaseinthestrongestresponseagreestronglyissignificant.
Thereisnosignificantchangeamongthosewhodisagree.

35

Trend: We Talk about Many Topics

60%
50%

45%

49%

40%

29% 32%

30%
20%

13% 12%

10%

5%

1%

8%

6%

0%
Agreestrongly

Agree
Notsure
somewhat
199394
2009

Disagree
somewhat

Disagree
strongly

Thechangeonthisitemisinapositivedirection,butitisas narrowasitgetsintermsof
statisticalsignificance.Theoverallincreaseinthepercentage ofrespondentswhoagreeis
justonepercentagepointgreaterthanthemarginoferror.Thedeclineamongthosewho
disagreeisnotstatisticallysignificant.

36

Have Children
Remember:thesamplefocusedonfamiliesand71%
ofthesechildrenarenowadults.
No
16%
Yes
84%

Fiveoutofsixofthefamiliesrepresentedinthisstudyhavechildren,butthevastmajority
ofthesearenowadultsandhavelefthome.Lessthanaquarterhaveminorchildrenliving
athome.ThismeansthatthemajorityofAdventistfamiliesinNorthAmericaareempty
nesters.
The84percentoftherespondentswhoindicatethattheyhavechildrenaremorelikelyto
beover45yearsofageandfromuppermiddleclasshouseholdswithannualincomesof
$75,000ormore.The16percentoftherespondentswhoindicatethatdonothaveany
childrenaremorelikelytobeunder45yearsofage,ethnicminoritiesandfromlow
incomehouseholds.

37

Children by Generation
Today'schildren
20%

Millennials
33%

BabyBoomers
20%

GenX
25%

Ofthechildrenreportedbytheparentsinthissurvey,22percentareover45yearsofage,
mostfromtheBabyBoomgeneration.Infact,62percentoftheAdventistpopulationfalls
intothisagegroup.Onlyafewoftheparentsofthesemiddleagedandolderadultsare
stillalive.
OneinfourofthechildrenofAdventistsarefromGenerationX, 32to44yearsofagein
2009.Theyconstitutejust10percentofthetotalAdventistpopulation.Thisclearly
illustrateshowfamilyrelationshipsrelatetochurchmembership.RogerDudleysresearch
hasshownthatabouthalfoftheGenXersborntoAdventistparentshadleftthechurchby
thetimetheywere25.
AthirdofthechildrenfromAdventistfamiliesareintheMillennialgeneration,todays
youthintheirteensand20s.TheValuegenesis2studyshowsthathigherpercentagesof
thisgenerationexpressloyaltytothedenominationandexpecttocontinuetobeAdventist
members,althoughthemajorityhavequitedifferentattitudeson certaindoctrinesand
churchstandardsthanhavebeenthenormforAdventistsformany generations.
Justoneinfiveofthechildrenreportedinthisstudyareunder15yearsofage.Thereare
stillseveralyearsyettocomethatwillbeincludedinthespanoftheirgeneration,sothis
mayreflectonlyabouttwothirdsofthefinalnumberthatwillbeincludedintheircohort.
Nonetheless,thesearethechildrenoftheGenXersandwillbea smallercohortthanthe
Millennialgeneration.

38

Families With
Noadoptedorstepchild

60%

Astepchild

Anadoptedchild

26%

7%

AboutathirdofAdventistfamiliesincludechildrenfromapreviousmarriageofoneor
bothspousesand/oranadoptedchild.Threeinfivefamiliesincludeonlythebiological
childrenofthecouple.Respondentsunder45yearsofagearemorelikelytofallintothis
largercategory,asarethosewhohavenevergonethroughadivorce,thosewhoare
immigrantsandthosefromlowincomehouseholds.
OneinfourAdventistfamiliesincludesatleastonechildfromapreviousmarriageofone
spouse.Ofcoursethosewhohavegonethroughadivorcearemuch morelikelytogivethis
response,asaremiddleagedrespondentsfromtheBabyBoomgenerationandthosewho
identifythemselveswithethnicminorities.
JustsevenpercentofAdventistfamiliesincludeanadoptedchild.Thisisasmallnumber,
butitisaboutdoublethepercentageofallhouseholdsintheUnitedStates,accordingto
theU.S.Census.ThepercentageislessinCanada.Respondents65yearsofageandolder
aremorelikelytoreportanadoptedchild,asarethosewhoare nativebornNorth
Americans.

39

Approaches to Child Discipline

Strictobediencebyanymeans

9.7%

Strictobedience,nospanking

6.4%

Mildbutconsistent

30.2%

Mildbutnotconsistent

8.2%

Mixofmild&firm
Wetalkwiththem
Wepraywiththem
Uncertain

42.5%
1.5%
0.4%
1.1%

MostAdventistparentstodayseethemselvesasrelativelymoderateinthedisciplineof
theirchildren.Thelargestnumberreportthattheyuseamixtureofmildnessand
firmness, whilealmostanotherthirdreporttheyaremildbutconsistent. Togetherthese
tworesponsesaccountofnearlythreequartersoftheparentsincludedinthisstudy.
Respondentsunder45yearsofageareevenmorelikelytosaytheyuseamixofmildand
firmdiscipline,asdothosewhoindicatetheirethnicityisCaribbeanormultiethnic.Older,
nativebornparentsaremorelikelytosaytheirdisciplinewasmildbutconsistent.
Oneinteninsistonstrictobedienceenforcedbyanymeansnecessary. Youngadultsin
theMillennialgenerationareevenmorelikelytotakethisapproachasareimmigrants,
especiallythosewhoidentifytheirethnicityasAsianorCaribbean.Anothersixpercent
insistonstrictobedience,butwillnotspanktheirchildren.Again,immigrantsaremore
likelytogivethisresponse,especiallythosewhosaytheirethnicityisAsianorHispanic.
Eightpercentsaytheyuseamildapproachwiththeirchildren,butarenotalways
consistent.Muchsmallernumbersreportother,morespecificapproaches.Noneofthese
responseshaveaspecificdemographicprofile.

40

Trends in Discipline of Children

Strictobediencebyany

5%

Strictobedience,nospanking

4%

9%
10%
7%
7%
30%
28%

Mildbutconsistent
Mildbutnotconsistent

4%

Mixofmild&firm
Wetalkwiththem
Wepraywiththem
Uncertain

38%

8%
8%
39%

42%
45%

2%
3%
1%
0.3%
2%
1%
1%
2%

2009

199394

197475

Therehasbeennorealchangeintherangeofattitudesaboutthedisciplineofchildren
amongAdventistfamiliesinNorthAmericaoverthelast35years.Manyofthechanges
displayedabovearenotstatisticallysignificantandwherethey arethedirectionofchange
iserratic.BecausetheAdventistChurchisaninstitutionwithmuchstrongerinvolvementin
thelivesofchildrenthanmostProtestantdenominationschurchschools,Pathfinder
Club,summercampinginadditiontoSabbathSchoolitisinterestingthatsuch
consistencyofdividedopinionshasbeenmaintainedduringatimeofconsiderablesocial
change.InmanywaystheAdventistChurchinNorthAmericacanbeseenasacommunity
focusedontheraisingofchildrenandthestrongmajorityofadultscontinuetofallinto
twocamps,aboutathirdfavoringmildbutconsistentdiscipline andalittleover40percent
favoringamixtureofmildandfirmdiscipline.Consistentlysmallnumbersfollowother
approaches.

41

Spouse Has the Same Attitude on

Discipline of Children

MorethantwothirdsofAdventistparentssaythattheirspousehasthesameattitudeon
thedisciplineoftheirchildrenastheydo.Respondentsfromuppermiddleincome
households($75,000peryearormore)aremorelikelytogivethisresponse,asarethose
whohavenevergonethroughadivorce,thosewhoarenativebornNorthAmericansand
thosewhoindicatetheirethnicityiswhite.
AthirdofAdventistparentsreportthattheirspousedoesnotsharetheirattitudeabout
thedisciplineoftheirchildrenwhichindicatessomeconflict.Respondentsintheir30sand
early40sfromGenerationXaremorelikelytorespondthisway, asarethosefromlow
incomehouseholds,immigrantsandethnicminorities.

42

Trend: Spouse Has the Same Attitude

toward Discipline of Children
72%

68%

32%

28%

Yes

No
199394

2009

TherehasbeenaverysmallerosioninthesolidarityofAdventistcouplesontheapproach
todiscipliningtheirchildrenoverthepast15years.Thedifferencehereisjustone
percentagepointgreaterthanthemarginoferror;thepointatwhichitwouldbecome
statisticallyinsignificant.Infact,thisvariancemostlikelyhasnorealmeaning.Thesedata
highlightanotheraspectinwhichchangeisveryslowamongAdventistfamilies.

43

Attitude on Education of Children

Shouldgetadoctoraldegree

9%

MusthaveaMaster'sdegree

7%

Musthavemorethancollege

9%

Collegedegreeisamust

35%

Musthavesomecollege

23%

Secondaryschoolisamust
Elementaryschoolisenough

16%
0.4%

Adventistparentswerealsoaskedabouttheirattitudestowardtheeducationoftheir
children.Themajoritybelievethathighereducationisessentialfortheirchildren.When
thosewhowanttheirchildrentohavesomecollege areincluded,theoverallconsensus
is83percentmorethanfouroutfiveparentswhothinkthattheirchildrenmusthave
morethanasecondarydiploma.
Immigrantsarethreetimesaslikelytowanttheirchildtoobtainagraduatedegreebeyond
college,whilenativebornNorthAmericansarefourtimesaslikelytoseeasecondary
diplomaassufficientfortheirchildrenandtwiceaslikelytooptforonlysome college
education.
ThereisalsoacorrelationbetweenthelevelofeducationthatAdventistparentswantfor
theirchildrenandthehouseholdincomeofrespondents.Thosewhofeelthatagraduate
degreeisnecessaryfortheirchildrenaremorelikelytobefromhouseholdswherethe
annualincomeis$100,000ormore.Thosewhobelievethatacollegedegreeisamustare
morelikelytobefromhouseholdswheretheannualincomeis$75,000ormore.Those
whobelievethatasecondarydiplomaisenoughfortheirchildrenaremorelikelytobe
fromhouseholdswithayearlyincomeof$50,000orless.

44

Trend: Attitude on Education of Children

9%
8%

Shouldgetadoctoraldegree

16%
15%

MusthaveaMaster'sdegree
Collegedegreeisamust

23%

Musthavesomecollege
16%

Secondaryschoolisamust
Elementaryschoolisenough

35%

15%
27%

35%

0.4%
1%
2009

199394

Overthelast15yearstherehasbeenadramaticshiftinconsensusamongAdventist
familiesregardingtheeducationoftheirchildren.Inthe199394surveythemajorityfelt
thatasecondarydiplomaandsomecollegecoursesweretheminimumeducationalgoal
fortheirchildren.Bythetimeofthe2009surveythatmajority hadshiftedtoacollege
degreeasamustandagraduatedegreeifpossible.
ThisshiftisconsistentwithamajortrendinNorthAmericansociety.Asthemajorityofthe
laborforcehaschangedfrommanufacturingtoknowledgeworkers, highereducationhas
increasinglybecomenecessarytosustainamiddleclassstandard ofliving.Thesedataare
furtherevidenceofthedegreetowhichAdventistsinNorthAmericahavebecomesolidly
middleclass.

45

Spouse Has the Same Attitude on

Education of Children

Nearlynineoutoftenrespondentssaythattheirspousesshares thesameattitudeabout
theappropriateeducationalgoalsfortheirchildren.Thissuggestsaremarkabledegreeof
agreementamongAdventistcouplesonthevalueandimportanceof education.
Respondentsintheir20sfromtheMillennialgenerationareeven morelikelytosaytheir
spouseagreeswiththemonthistopic.Soarethosewhohavenot gonethroughadivorce,
thosefromhouseholdswithanannualincomeof$75,000ormoreandthosewhoidentify
theirethnicityasAsianorPacificIslander.
Respondentsfromlowincomehouseholdsaremorelikelytosaytheirspousedisagrees
withthemabouttheeducationoftheirchildren.Thesameistrueforthosewhohave
experienceddivorceandthosewhoidentifytheirethnicbackgroundasAfricanAmerican,
Hispanicormultiethnic.

46

Trend: Spouse Has the Same Attitude

toward Education of Children
89%
72%

28%
11%

Yes

No
199394

2009

Adventistcouplesin2009aremorelikelytoagreeontheeducationalgoalsfortheir
childrenthantheywere15yearsearlier.Increasedagreementon theeducationoftheir
childrenshouldmakeiteasiertorecruitstudentsintochurchschoolsatalllevels.Clearly
AdventistsinNorthAmericavalueeducationmorethanever.

47

Attitude on Adventist Schools

45%

25%
18%
2%

4%

6%

Have/willuse Adventist
Adventist
Some
Some Publicschools
Adventist
children
schoolsare Christian
private
arefinefor
schools
shouldbein notworth schoolsare schoolsare mychildren
Adventist
extracost
better
better
schools

NearlyhalfofAdventistparentssaytheyintendtoeducateorhaveeducatedtheirchildren
inAdventistschools.AnotheroneinfourthinkthatallAdventistchildrenoughttobe
educatedinAdventistschools. Whenthesetworesponsesarecombined,seveninten
AdventistparentsbelieveinandsupportAdventistschools.
Therespondentswhoindicatethattheyalreadyhaveorintendto sendtheirchildrento
Adventistschoolsaremorelikelytobeunder45yearsofageandfrommiddleincome
households.Thosewhohavenotgonethroughadivorcearealsomorelikelytogivethis
responseasarenativebornNorthAmericans,AfricanAmericansandAsians.Thosewho
indicatethatallAdventistchildrenshouldbeinAdventistschoolsaremorelikelytosenior
citizensandliveinhouseholdswithannualincomesoflessthan $50,000.
Ontheotherhand,aboutoneinfiveAdventistparentsseethepublicschoolsintheir
communityasofhighqualityandfinefortheirchildren.YoungadultsintheMillennial
generationaremorelikelytoholdthisopinionasarerespondentsfromlowincome
households,thosewhohavegonethroughadivorce,immigrantsandthosewhoidentify
theirethnicityasAsian,Hispanicormultiethnic.Additionalsmallnumbersindicatethat
theythinksomeprivateschoolsprovidebetteracademicqualitythanAdventistschools,or
thatsomeChristianschoolsarebetterthansomeAdventistschools,orthatAdventist
schoolsarenotworththeextracost.Noneofthesesegmentsare largeenoughtoyielda
reliabledemographicprofile.

48

At which level is it most important for

children to attend Adventist schools?
Elementary

18%

Secondary
College/university

9%
6%

Allareequal
None

62%
5%

NearlytwothirdsofAdventistparentsbelievethatitisequallyimportantforAdventist
childrentoattendAdventistschoolsatallgradelevels.Senior citizensaremorelikelyto
holdthisview,asarerespondentsfromlowincomehouseholds,andthosewhoare
AfricanAmericansormultiethnic.
AboutoneinfiveAdventistparentsbelievethatitismostimportantfortheirchildrento
attendAdventistschoolswhiletheyareintheelementarygrades.Youngadultsfromthe
Millennialgenerationaremorelikelytoexpressthisviewasarethosefromuppermiddle
classhouseholdswithincomesof$75,000oremoreperyear.Thesmallerpercentageswho
viewsecondaryschoolandhighereducationasthemostimportant timefortheirchildren
toattendAdventistschoolsaretoosmalltoyieldreliabledemographicprofiles.

49

Spouse Has the Same Attitude on

Adventist Schools
No
19%
Yes
81%

FouroutoffiveAdventistadultsindicatethattheirspouseagreeswiththemaboutplacing
theirchildreninAdventistschools.Seniorcitizensaremorelikelytogivethisresponse,as
arerespondentshavenevergonethroughadivorce,thosefromuppermiddleclass
households(withannualincomesof$75,000ormore)andthosewhoindicatethattheir
ethnicityisAsian.BlackandHispanicrespondentsaremorelikelytoreportthattheir
spousedisagreeswiththemonthistopic,asarethosefromlowincomehouseholdsand
thosewhohavebeendivorced.

50

What Would Cause Greatest Stress

Deathofyourspouse

43%

Disabilityfromaccident

17%

Unfaithfulspouse

12%

Divorce

9%

Runawayteenchild

8%

Mortgageforeclosure

6%

Unwantedpregnancy

1%

Sexualproblems

1%

Inordertogetsomeideaofthefearsandworriesthatexistin Adventistfamiliestoday,
eightofthe43stressfullifeeventsfromtheHolmesRaheScalewereincludedinthis
survey.Respondentswereaskedtolookoverthelistandindicatewhichsingleitemwould
causeyouthemostconcernorthegreatestamountofadjustment?
Thelargestnumberofrespondentsselecteddeathofyourspouse whichisthemost
highlyweighteditemontheHolmesRaheScale.Respondentswhohavenotbeenthrough
adivorcearemorelikelytoselectthisitem,asarethosefrom uppermiddleclass
householdsandthosewhoidentifytheirethnicityaswhite.
Oneinsixrespondentsselectedadisablingaccident whichisintendedtoparallelthe
personalinjuryorillness whichranksmidrangeontheHolmesRaheScale.Respondents
intheir30sandearly40sfromGenerationXaremorelikelytoselectthisresponse,asare
thosefromlowincomehomes.
OneineightAdventistadultsselecteddiscoverythatyourspousehadbeenunfaithfulto
you, whichisintendedtoparallelthemaritalseparation itemontheHolmesRahe
Scale.AfricanAmericanrespondentsaremorelikelytodoso,as arethosefromlower
incomehouseholds.Lessthanoneintenselecteddivorce, whichranksat73onthe
HolmesRaheScale,andthosewhohavebeenthroughadivorceareevenmorelikelytodo
so.Smallerpercentagesselectedtheotherfouritems,allofwhichrankinthebottomthird
oftheweightingsontheHolmesRaheScale.Noneoftheseresponsesarelargeenoughto
yieldreliabledemographics.

51

Trends in Causes of Stress

43%

Deathofyourspouse
Disabilityfromaccident

12%
12%

Unfaithfulspouse
Divorce
Runawayteenchild
Mortgageforeclosure
Unwantedpregnancy
Sexualproblems

3%
1%
1%
2%
1%
1%

8%
10%
9%
8%

53%

17%

2009

197475

6%

Concernaboutcertaintroublinglifeeventshasincreasedoverthepast35yearswithafew
exceptions.Thelargestincreaseamongthesestressfuleventsis thefearofamortgage
foreclosurewhichissixtimesgreaterin2009than35yearsearlier.Respondentsarealso
nearlythreetimesaslikelytofearrunawaybyateenagechild. Fearofanunfaithfulspouse
ordisabilityfromanaccidenthasincreasedbyabouthalf.Thereisdefinitelylessconcern
aboutthedeathofaspouseandmaybethereislessconcernaboutanunwanted
pregnancy.
Thepercentageofrespondentswhoregisteredconcernaboutanunwantedpregnancyis
verysmallinbothsurveys,lessthantherangeofstatisticalsignificance.Atthesametime,
takenliterallythenumbersindicatethatthisconcernhasdroppedbyhalf.In197475birth
controlpillswererelativelynewandby2009theyaremuchmore commonplace.Thismay
havesomethingtodowiththischange.
Overall,thereismorestressandworryinAdventistfamiliestoday.Ofcourse,thishasa
negativeeffectonthequalityoffamilylifeanditrequiresgreaterskillandeffortinpastoral
carethaninthepast.

52

Relationship with Christ

Intimate

Good

16%

Uncertain

Distant

4%
43%

37%

TheAdventistadultsinthissurveywereaskedtoindicatethenatureoftheirpersonal
relationshipwithChristonafivepointscale.Duetothesmallnumbersinvolved,thetwo
mostnegativeresponseshavebeengroupedtogetherasdistant.
Thelargestnumberofrespondentsgavethemostpositiveansweronthescale,indicating
anintimate relationshipwithChrist.Almostanequalnumbergavethesecondmost
positiveresponse,agood relationshipwithChrist.Alltogetherfouroutoffive
respondentsindicatethattheyhaveaclose,richrelationshipwithJesus.Thereisastrong
correlationwithageontheseitems;theoldertherespondent,themorelikelythatthey
reportedacloserelationshipwithJesus.
Oneinsixrespondentsselectedthemiddleitemonthescale.Thesearetheuncertain in
thegraphicatthetopofthispage.YoungadultsfromtheMillennialgenerationareeven
morelikelytoselectthisresponse,asareAfricanAmericansandHispanics.
Onlyfourpercentofthesurveyparticipantsgavearesponseatthebottomofthescale.
Youngadultsaremorelikelytobeinthiscategory.

53

Trend: Relationship with Christ

41%

43%
37%
28%
17%

16%

14%
4%

Intimate

Good

Uncertain
199394

Distant

2009

GrowingnumbersofSeventhdayAdventistsreportamorepositiverelationshipwithChrist
ascomparedto15yearsago.Clearlyamoregraceoriented,relationaltheologycontinues
togaingroundamongAdventistsinNorthAmerica.
Thelargestdeclinewasamongthosewhoselecteda1or2onthe fivepointscalefrom
none (1)tointimate (5).Thegreatestincreasewasamongthosewhoselecteda4.The
decreaseamongthosewhoselecteda3identifiedasuncertain aboveisnot
statisticallysignificant.

54

Assurance of Salvation
Verycertain

Somewhatcertain

Uncertain

12%
24%
64%

ForthreedecadesakeysurveyitemtomeasurespiritualityamongSeventhdayAdventists
inNorthAmericahasbeenaquestionfirstdevelopedbyRogerDudleyattheInstituteof
ChurchMinistryonthecampusofAndrewsUniversity.Circlethenumberthatshowsthe
assurancethatyouhaveofeternallife, withafivepointscalefromnotsure (1)tovery
certain (5).
Inthissurveynearlytwothirdsoftherespondentscircledthehighestnumberonthescale
andanotheroneinfourcircledthesecondhighestnumberonthescale.Alltogether,88
percentoftheseAdventistadultsindicateaverystrongsenseofassuranceofeternallifein
theirpersonalspiritualexperience.
Thepositiveresponsescorrelatewithage.Theolderapersonis,themorelikelythatthey
willselectthetwomostpositiveresponsesonthescale.Also,thosefrommiddleclassand
uppermiddleclasshouseholdsaremorelikelytogivepositiveresponses.
Theoneineightrespondentswhogaveuncertain responsesthebottomthreenumbers
onthescalearemorelikelytobeunder45yearsofage.Theyarealsomorelikelytobe
foundinlowincomehouseholds.

55

Trend: Assurance of Salvation

64%
54%
37%

33%

30%
20%

24%

26%
12%

Verycertain

Somewhatcertain
1980

199394

Uncertain
2009

SincethisquestionwasfirstaskedinasurveyofSeventhdayAdventistsin1980,therehas
beenadefinitetrendtowardagreaterassuranceofeternallife.Thepercentageof
respondentswhoselectverycertain, the5onthescale,hasnearlydoubled.The
percentagewhoselecta1,2or3(theuncertain)hasdeclinedfromathirdofthe
respondentstolessthanoneAdventistineightinNorthAmerica.
Thesedataarefurtherevidenceofthesignificantshifttowardamoregraceoriented
theologyamongAdventistsinNorthAmerica.Overthelastthreedecadesconsiderable
emphasishasbeenplacedonpreachingandteachingaclearfocus onsalvationinJesus
Christ.Clearlythisemphasishasimpactedthemembership.

56

How is religion or spirituality

expressed in your home?
Sabbathisobserved

87%

Prayeratmeals

81%

Christianprinciples

78%

Religiousmusic

74%

ShareChristwithfriends

63%

Communityservice
Religiousart

51%
36%

ForAdventistfamiliesfaithiscentraltotheirrelationshipsandlifetogether.Howdothey
expressspiritualityorreligionintheirhomes?Nearlynineout oftenrespondentsindicate
thatkeepingtheSabbathisakeyspiritualexperiencefortheir family.Thisisequallytrue
acrossalldemographicsegmentsandshouldnotbeasurprisesincetheSabbathisoneof
thetwomostimportantbeliefsalludedtointhenameSeventhdayAdventistChurch.
MorethanfouroutoffiveAdventistsreportthattheyregularly beginfamilymealswith
prayer.YoungadultsandthosewhoidentifytheirethnicityasHispanicorCaribbeanare
evenmorelikelytodoso.ThisisacommonexpressionoffaithamongNorthAmerican
Christiansofmanydenominations.
NearlyfouroutoffiveAdventistadultsreportthattherulesofthehousearebasedon
Christsprinciples. TheyseetheirfamiliesasChristianentitiesrootedinthelifeand
teachingofJesus.AfricanAmericansandCaribbeansaremorelikelytogivethisresponse.
Threeoutoffourrespondentssaythatreligiousmusicand/orsingingisasignificantpartof
theirfamilylife.ImmigrantsfromtheCaribbeanareevenmorelikelytoreportthisactivity.
NearlytwothirdsofAdventistfamiliesfindwaystoshareChristwiththeirfriendsand
neighbors.MiddleagedrespondentsfromtheBabyBoomgenerationaremorelikelyto
saythis,asarethosefromhouseholdswheretheannualincomeis$100,000ormoreand
thosewhoindicatethattheirethnicityisHispanic,Caribbeanormultiethnic.
CONTINUEDATTHEBOTTOMOFTHENEXTPAGE

57

Trends in Religion in the Home

87%

Sabbath is observed

81%

Prayer at meals

78%

Christian principles

93%
89%

74%
80%

Religious music
63%

Share Christ with friends

51%

Community service
Religious art

95%

36%

56%

84%
81%
1993-94

2009

TherehasbeenasignificantdeclineineveryexpressionofreligioninAdventisthomesover
thepast15years.Thelargestsingledeclineisincommunityservice.Thepercentageof
respondentswhosaythatcommunityserviceisoneofthewaysthattheirfamilyexpresses
theirreligiousfaithhasdeclinedbymorethanathird.

CONTINUEDFROMTHEPREVIOUSPAGE:
HalfofAdventistfamiliesexpresstheirfaiththroughcommunity service.Respondentsin
their30sand40sfromGenerationXaremorelikelytodoso,as arethosefromupper
middleclasshouseholdswithannualincomesof$75,000ormoreandthosewhoare
immigrants.
MorethanathirdofAdventistfamilieshavereligiouspicturesorartintheirhomesasa
wayofremindingthemoftheirspiritualconnectionsandbeliefs.Middleagedrespondents
fromtheBabyBoomgenerationareevenmorelikelytodoso,asareHispanicand
Caribbeanimmigrants.

58

Ever Spent Time Not Attending Church

Because of Family or Similar Issues
Yes
19%
No
81%

Ofthosewhoarecurrentlyattendingchurchregularly,oneinfivereportthattherehas
beenatleastoneperiodintheirlifewhentheyquitattendingbecauseofissuesintheir
familyorsimilarrelationships.Thosewhoareunder45yearsof agearemorelikelyto
reportdoingso,asareimmigrantsandthosefromlowincomehouseholds.Not
surprisingly,thosewhohavegonethroughadivorcearetwiceas likelytosaytheydidnot
attendchurchforawhile.
Fouroutoffiveindicatethattheyhaveneverquitattendingchurchduetofamilylife
issues.Seniorcitizensaremorelikelytogivethisresponse,asarethosewhohavenever
gonethroughadivorceandthosefromhouseholdswithannualincomesof$100,000or
more.

59

Keeping a life-long commitment to another

person is vital, no matter how painful it becomes.
Agreecompletely

Agreesomewhat

Disagreesomewhat

Disagreecompletely

15%

Notsure

8%

4%

43%
30%

NearlythreeoutoffourAdventistadults(73percent)agreethatkeepingalifelong
commitmenttoanotherpersonisvital,nomatterhowpainfulitbecomes. Theyoungest
respondentstheyoungadultsandteensintheMillennialgenerationareevenmore
likelytoagreewiththisvalue,asarethosefromlowermiddleclasshouseholdswith
incomesof$25,000to$50,000peryear.
Nearlyaquarter(23percent)disagree.Respondentsfromlowincomehouseholdsare
morelikelytogivethisresponse,asarethosewhoidentifythemselvesasAfrican
American,Hispanicormultiethnic.

60

Trend: Keeping a life-long commitment to

another person is vital
43%
31%

32% 30%
20%
15%
6%

Agree
completely

Agree
somewhat

4%

Notsure
199394

Disagree
somewhat

11%

8%

Disagree
completely

2009

Overthepast15yearsagreementamongAdventistshassolidified aroundtheimportance
ofkeepingalifelongcommitmenttoanotherpersoninthemarriagecovenant.The
percentageofrespondentswhoagreewiththisstatementhasincreasedfromabouttwo
thirdsinthe199394surveytonearlythreequartersinthemorerecentsurvey.The
percentagewhodisagreewiththisstatementhascorrespondinglydeclined.Thisshiftin
viewsissignificantbutnotlarge.AstrongmajorityofAdventistsinbothsurveyssupported
thisvalue.Theincreasedsupportmaybetheresultofincreased preachingandteachingon
familylifeoverrecentyearsasaFamilyMinistriesDepartmenthasestablisheditselfasa
keypartofthedenominationsprogram.

61

There is a serious trend toward the

breakdown of Adventist families.
Agreecompletely

Agreesomewhat

Notsure

Disagreesomewhat

Disagreecompletely
3% 2%

19%
42%
34%

ThreeoutoffourAdventistadults(76percent)feelthatthereisaserioustrendtoward
thebreakdownofAdventistfamilies, despitethefactthatthisstudyfindslittleevidence
tosupporttheiropinion.Thosefromuppermiddleclasshouseholdswithannualincomes
of$75,000ormoreareevenmorelikelytoholdthisview,asareimmigrantsandthose
whoidentifythemselvesasHispanicorCaribbean.
Justfivepercentoftherespondentsdisagreewiththisopinion. Thosefromlowincome
householdsaremorelikelytodoso,asarethosewhoidentifythemselvesasAsianor
PacificIslanders.

62

Trend: Concern about a Breakdown of

Adventist Families
76%
63%

30%
19%
7%
Agree

Notsure
199394

5%

Disagree
2009

Overthepast15yearsthepercentageofAdventistsinNorthAmericawhoareconcerned
aboutthebreakdownofAdventistfamilieshasincreasedsignificantly.Inthe199394
surveylessthantwothirdsoftherespondentsfeltthattherewasatrendtowardmore
breakdownsofAdventistfamilies,whileinthemostrecentsurveythisviewhadincreased
tomorethanthreequartersoftherespondents.Morechurchmembersareconcerned
todayaboutthebreakdownofAdventistfamiliesthaninthepast despitethefactthatthis
studyprovideslittleevidenceforsignificantnegativetrends.

63

How many Adventist families you know personally

experienced a breakup in the last three years?

Threeormore
21%

None
33%

Two
20%
One
26%

InordertotestthegeneralimpressionofwidespreadbreakdowninAdventistfamilies
againstsomemeasurablefactor,respondentswereasked,HowmanyAdventistfamilies
withwhomyouarepersonallyacquaintedhaveexperiencedthebreakupoftheirhome
duringthelastthreeyears. Thelargestnumberofresponseswherethe33percentwho
saidnone. Respondentsfromlowincomehouseholdsweremorelikelytogivethis
response.
Oneinfourrespondentsindicatetheyknewofonesuchfamily.Thosewhohavegone
throughadivorceweremorelikelytogivethisresponse.
Oneinfiverespondentsansweredthattheyknewoftwosuchfamilies.Thosefromupper
middleclasshouseholdswithannualincomesof$75,000ormoreweremorelikelytogive
thisanswer.
Another21percentmentionedthreeormoresuchcases.Almostalloftheseresponses
wereintherangeofthreetoeightcasesoffamiliesbreakingup.Lessthanonepercentof
respondentsmentionedtencases,andahandfulofrespondents(onehalfofonepercent)
mentionednumbersthatseemtobewildguesses14,20,25,30and40ratherthan
actualreportsoffamiliesknowntothempersonally.Thosewhohavegonethrougha
divorcearemorelikelytobeincludedinthis21percent.

64

I am deeply concerned about

maintaining strong families.
Agreecompletely

Agreesomewhat

Notsure

Disagree

2% 2%
17%

79%

Fully96percentofAdventistadultsinNorthAmericaaredeeplyconcernedabout
maintainingstrongfamilies. Onlytwopercentdisagree,apercentagesosmallthatitcould
simplybeduetomistakesbytherespondentsinfillingoutthequestionnaire.Inother
words,almostallAdventiststhinkitisveryimportanttostrengthenfamiliesbothinthe
Churchandinthelargerworld.Churchleadersmaynotunderstandhowimportantthisis
tothepeopleinthepews.

65

Trend: Concern About Strong Families

83%

79%

12%

17%
3%

Agreecompletely

Agreesomewhat
199394

2%

Notsure

2%

2%

Disagree

2009

Therehasbeenasmallweakeningoftheintensityofopiniononthisissueoverthepast15
years,buttheshiftissosmallastobenearlymeaningless.Fourpercentagepointshave
movedfromtheagreecompletely totheagreesomewhat category.Themarginof
errorinthisstudyisthreepercentagepoints,sothisisalmostamarginalchange.Infact,
theagreementonthisitemsissostrongthatthereisalmostno roomforchangesin
opinionovertime.

66

Single adults are just as normal as

those who marry.
Agreecompletely

Agreesomewhat

Disagreesomewhat

Disagreecompletely

9%

Notsure

5%

11%
50%
25%

Inordertomeasuretheattitudeofchurchmemberstowardsingle adults,respondents
wereaskedtoindicatetheiragreementordisagreementwiththestatement,Peoplewho
spendtheiradultlivessinglearejustasnormalasthosewhomarry. Thereisstrong
agreementwiththisview.Threeoutoffourrespondentsagreewiththestatement.Senior
citizensaremorelikelytoagree,asarenativebornNorthAmericansandthosefrom
uppermiddleclasshouseholdswithincomesof$75,000to$100,000ayear.
OneinsevenAdventistadultsdisagreewiththisstatement.YoungadultsintheMillennial
generationareevenmorelikelytodisagree.Soarethosefromlowincomehouseholds,
thosewhohavebeendivorcedatsomepointintheirlifeandAsianandHispanic
immigrants.

67

Trend: Single adults are just as normal as

those who marry.
64%
50%

25%
17%
8%

Agree
completely

Agree
somewhat

11%

Notsure
199394

6%

9%

Disagree
somewhat

4%

5%

Disagree
completely

2009

Adventistsaresomewhatmoreinclinedtolooknegativelyonsingleadultsthantheywere
15yearsago.Thepercentagewhoagreethatsingleadultsarejustasnormalasthose
whomarry hasdeclinedfrom81percentto75percent,whilethosewhodisagreeorare
undecidedhasincreasedfrom18percentto25percent.
Itisunclearwhatmightbethecauseofthischangeinopinion. Researchhasshownthat
mostAdventistcongregationstendtobemorehospitabletomarriedpeoplethantosingle
adults,sothismysimplybetheresultofanincreaseddropoutrateamongsinglesanda
solidifyingofantisingleattitudes.

68

My local church makes single adults

feel right at home, accepted, valued.
Agreecompletely

Agreesomewhat

Disagreesomewhat

Disagreecompletely
8%

Notsure

3%

12%
46%
31%

MorethanthreeoutoffourAdventistadults(77percent)believethattheirlocalchurch
makessingleadultsfeelrightathome,acceptedandvalued. Agreementwiththisview
correlateswithage;theolderachurchmemberis,themorelikelytheyaretoagree.The
youngertheyare,thelesslikelytheyaretoagree.Respondents fromlowincome
householdsarealsomorelikelytoagree.
Oneinfivechurchmembersdisagreewiththispositiveviewoftheatmosphereintheir
localcongregationforsingleadults.YoungadultsintheMillennialgenerationaretwiceas
likelytodisagree.
Itshouldbenotedthatthedemographicsegmentsthataremorelikelytoagreewiththis
itemincludefewersingleadultsandmoremarriedpeople.Andthedemographicsegment
thatismorelikelytodisagreeincludesmoresingleadultsandfewermarriedpeople.The
positiveviewsofmanyrespondentsonthisitemmayactuallyconstituteakindofdenialon
thisissueorablindspot intheirawarenessandthinking.

69

Trend: Local Church Welcomes Singles

52%
46%
31%
23%
9%

Agree
completely

Agree
somewhat

12%

Notsure
199394

10%

8%

Disagree
somewhat

5%

3%

Disagree
completely

2009

Thereisalittlesofteninginthestrongagreementonthisitem overthepast15years.The
onlystatisticallysignificantchangereflectedinthegraphaboveistheshiftfromagree
completely toagreesomewhat. Butformostchurchmemberstheiropinionis
unchanged.

70

Abusive violence is a big problem

among families in this church.
Agreecompletely

Agreesomewhat

Disagreesomewhat

Disagreecompletely

11%

10%

Notsure

9%
17%

53%

ThereisagreatdealofuncertaintyamongAdventistadultsabouttheextentofdomestic
violenceinChurchrelatedfamilies.Askedtoindicatetheiragreementordisagreement
withthestatement,Abusiveviolenceisabigproblemamongthefamiliesinthischurch,
themajorityselected,Idontknow. Thisisabouttheonlyiteminthissurveywithsucha
response.
Oneinfourrespondents(26percent)agreethatdomesticviolenceisasignificantproblem
intheirlocalchurch.YoungadultsintheMillennialgeneration areevenmorelikelyto
agree,asarerespondentsfromuppermiddleclasshouseholdswithannualincomesof
$75,000to$100,000,immigrantsandthosewhoidentifytheirethnicityasBlackor
Hispanic.
OneinfiveAdventistadults(21percent)disagreethatabusiveviolenceisabigproblemin
thechurch.Thosefromlowincomehouseholdsaremorelikelytodisagree,asarethose
whoidentifytheirethnicityasAsianorPacificIslander.

71

Trend: Abusive Violence a Big Problem

50%

7%

9%

Agree
completely

13%

53%

17%

Agree
somewhat

14%

Notsure
199394

11%

Disagree
somewhat

16%
10%

Disagree
completely

2009

Thereisaslightincreaseinthepercentageofchurchmemberswhothinkthatabusive
violenceisabigproblemamongfamiliesintheirlocalchurch.Theincreaseinthosewho
agreecompletely isnotstatisticallysignificant,whiletheothershiftsaremarginally
significant.Themajorityarenowunsurehowtoanswerthisquestionprobablyduetotheir
lackofpersonalobservationorinformation.

72

Emotional abuse is a big problem

among the families in this church.
Agreecompletely

Agreesomewhat

Disagreesomewhat

Disagreecompletely
7%

10%

Notsure

12%
27%

44%

Thereislessuncertainlyabouttheextentofemotionalabusein thechurch.Only44
percentoftherespondentspickedtheneutral,Idontknow responsewhenaskedto
indicatetheiragreementordisagreementtothestatement,Emotionalabuseisabig
problemamongthefamiliesinthischurch.
Nearlytwoinfiverespondents(39percent)agreethatemotional abuseisabigproblem.
Adultsintheir30sand40sfromGenerationXaremorelikelyto agree,asareBlackand
Asianrespondents.
Aboutoneinsixrespondents(17percent)disagreeswiththeideathatemotionalabuseis
abigprobleminthechurch.Thosefromlowincomehouseholdsaremorelikelyto
disagree,asarethosewhoidentifiedtheirethnicityasHispanic.

73

Trend: Emotional Abuse a Big Problem

44%
39%
27% 27%
20%
12%

Agree
completely

8%

Agree
somewhat

Notsure
199394

10%

Disagree
somewhat

6%

7%

Disagree
completely

2009

Thepercentageofchurchmemberswhofeelthatemotionalabuseisabigproblemamong
familiesintheirlocalchurchhasdeclined,butthechangeinviewsisduetothefactthat
moremembersarenotsure,probablyduetoalackofpersonalobservationand
information.Theincreaseamongthosewhodisagreethatthisisaproblemisnot
statisticallysignificant.

74

Individualism vs. Social Concern

45%
36%
30%

28%
21%

19%
10%
2%

Agree
completely

Agreesomewhat

Notsure

Responsibleonlyformyself

6%

Disagree
somewhat

3%
Disagree
completely

Responsibleforothers

TwostatementswereincludedinthesurveytomeasurethebasicvaluesofAdventists.
Socialconcernismeasuredbythestatement,Ihavearesponsibilityforothersinthe
churchandneighborhood, whileindividualismismeasuredbythestatement,Iam
responsibleonly formyownbehaviorandmyownpersonalrelationshipwithGod.
Respondentswereaskedtoindicatethedegreeoftheiragreement ordisagreementwith
eachstatement.
MorethanfouroutoffiveAdventistadults(81percent)agreewithsocialconcernvalues
anda58percentmajoritydisagreewithindividualisticvalues.Thosefromhigherincome
households($75,000peryearormore)aremorelikelytotakethisview,asareimmigrants
fromtheCaribbean.Twoinfiverespondentsagreewiththestatementreflecting
individualisticvalues.Seniorcitizensaremorelikelytoagree,asarethosefromlow
incomehouseholdsandthosewhohavebeenthroughadivorce.
YoungadultsfromtheMillennialgenerationaremorelikelytodisagreewithboth
statements.Thismaysimplyindicatethatthesestatements,whichhavebeenusedin
varioussurveysforseveraldecades,needtobeupdated.Perhaps thelanguagedoesnot
haveclearmeaningforthisnewgeneration,oratleastsignificantnumberswithinthe
generation.AnotherpossibilityisthattheMillennialgenerationismovingtowardaunique
blendingofindividualismandsocialconcern.Somestudieshavesuggestedthispossibility.

75

Trend: Individualism
34%
21%

28%

29% 30%

Disagree
somewhat

Disagree
completely

22%

19%
13%
2%

Agree
completely

Agree
somewhat

2%

Notsure
199394

2009

TherehasbeenasignificantdeclineinindividualismamongAdventistsoverthelast15
years.Thepercentagewhodisagreewiththestatement,Iamresponsibleonlyformyown
behaviorandmyownpersonalrelationshipwithGod, hasgrownfrom51percentinthe
199394surveyto58percentinthe2009survey,whilethepercentage whoagreehas
decreasedfrom47percentinthe199394surveyto40percentinthe2009survey.
FormanydecadesAmericanvalueshavebecomeincreasinglyindividualistic,while
Canadianvalueshaveretainedastrongelementofsocialconcern.Therearesectorsof
Americansocietywhohavebeguntoquestionthewidespreadconsensusaround
individualismanditmayhavehititshighwatermark.Itshouldnotbesurprisingthat
SeventhdayAdventistsareamongthosewhoareturningawayfromindividualisticvalues
givenourtheologyandheritage.

76

Trend: Social Concern

60%
45%
36%
28%
4%
Agree
completely

Agree
somewhat

10%

Notsure
199394

5%

6%

Disagree
somewhat

3%

3%

Disagree
completely

2009

ThestrongAdventistvalueofconcernforothershasweakenedsomeinthelast15years,
althoughithasnotchangedsignificantly.Inthe199394surveynearlynineoutoften
respondents(88percent)agreedwiththestatement,Ihavearesponsibilityforothersin
thechurchandneighborhood. Bythe2009agreementhaddeclinedto81percent,butthe
shiftislargelytothosewhosaytheyarenotsureoftheiropiniononthisitem.The
increaseinthepercentagewhodisagreeisnotlargeenoughtobestatisticallysignificant.
Thesedatamayreflecttheshiftoverthissameperiodtowardamoreconservativepolitical
attitudeinboththeUnitedStatesandCanada.AnumberofEvangelicalwritersand
speakershavepromotedastronglyindividualisticapproachtolifeandLibertarian
philosophyhasspreadmorewidely.Thesedevelopmentscannothelpbutruboffon
Adventiststosomedegree.ItisalsotruethatmanyAdventistleadershaveinrecent
decadesnotpromotedtraditionalAdventistvaluesofsocialconcern.

77

Role of Women
Fulltimehomemakerisideal

Encouragewomentohavecareers

41%
33%

31%

30%

16%

16%
8%

6%

3%
Agree
completely

Agreesomewhat

Notsure

16%

Disagree
somewhat

Disagree
completely

Theroleofwomeninthechurchandintheworldhasbeenatopicofdebatebothwithin
theAdventistcommunityandthelargerChristiancommunityoverthepastseveral
decades.Twostatementswereincludedinthesurveytomeasuretheviewsof
respondentsonthistopic.Thetraditionalviewisrepresentedbythestatement,Itisideal
formotherstobefulltimehomemakers, andtheprogressiveviewisrepresentedbythe
statement,Womenshouldbeencouragedtohavecareerseveniftheyaremothersof
youngchildren.
AlargemajorityofAdventistadults(74percent)agreewiththe traditionalviewthat
mothersideallyshouldbefulltimehomemakers,whilemorethanoneinfive(22percent)
disagree.Seniorcitizensaremorelikelytoagree,whileyoungadultsaretwiceaslikelyto
disagree.Whitesaremorelikelytoagree,whileethnicminoritiesaremorelikelyto
disagree.Respondentslivinginhouseholdwithannualincomesof $50,000orlessaremore
likelytoagree,asarenativebornNorthAmericans.
Opinionontheprogressiveviewofwomen,encouragingthemtohavecareers,isalmost
equallydivided46percentagreeand47percentdisagreewithnomajorityoneither
side.Respondentsunder45yearsofagearemorelikelytotaketheprogressiveview,while
seniorcitizensaremorelikelytodisagreewithit.Ethnicminoritiesaremorelikelytoagree
withtheprogressiveview,whilewhitearemorelikelytodisagree.Immigrantsand
respondentsfromlowincomehouseholdsarealsomorelikelytotaketheprogressive
view.

78

Trend: Ideal for Mothers to be Fulltime Homemakers

199394

2009

69%

41%
33%
20%

16%
2%

Agree
completely

Agree
somewhat

3%

Notsure

5%
Disagree
somewhat

3%

6%

Disagree
completely

AlthoughthreeoutoffourAdventists(74percent)stillthinkthatitisidealformothersto
befulltimehomemakers, supportforthisopinionhasdroppedsignificantlyfrom89
percentinthe199394survey.Thepercentagewhodisagreewiththisstatementhasmore
thandoubledoverthelast15yearsfromeightpercentinthe199394surveyto22percent
inthe2009survey.

79

Trend: Encourage Women to Have

Careers
199394

2009
31%

30%
27%
24%

21%
18%

16%

16%
9%

Agree
completely

Agreesomewhat

8%

Notsure

Disagree
somewhat

Disagree
completely

Opiniononthisitemhasmovedoverthelast15yearsawayfromthemoreextreme
viewsagreeordisagreecompletelytowardthemoremoderateviewsagreeor
disagreesomewhatwithlittlechangeintheoveralldivisionofthinking.Thecombined
percentageofthosewhoagreehasmovedfrom42percentinthe199394surveyto46
percentinthecurrentsurvey,whilethecombinedpercentageofthosewhodisagreehas
declinedbyonlyonepercentoverthesameperiod,achangethat isnotstatistically
significant.

80

Family Worship
Regularly

44%

Atleastweekly
Atleastmonthly

16%
3%

Occasionally

10%

Never
Doesnotapply
Noresponse

12%
8%
7%

FamilyworshipisawidespreadpracticeamongSeventhdayAdventistsinNorthAmerica.
MorethantwoinfiveAdventistfamilieshaveregularfamilyworship,oftendaily.Thosein
their30sandearly40sfromGenerationXaremorelikelytogivethesamereport,asare
thoserespondentswhoareimmigrants.
Another16percentofAdventistfamilieshaveworshipatleastonceaweekandmore
oftenseveraldayseachweek.Theserespondentsaremorelikelytobefoundamong
youngadultsintheMillennialgeneration,immigrantsandthosewhoidentifytheir
ethnicityasBlackorHispanic.Combinedwiththeprevioussegment,thismeansthatthree
infiveAdventistfamiliesengageinafairlyregularpracticeoffamilyworship.
Oneineightrespondentsindicatethattheyhavefamilyworshipaboutonceamonthor
lessoften.Respondentsintheir30s,40sand50saremorelikelytogivethisresponse,as
arenativebornNorthAmericans.
Anotheroneineightrespondentsindicatethattheneverhavefamilyworship.Alarger
numberindicatedthatthisquestiondidnotapplytothembecausetheylivealoneordid
notrespondtothequestionatall.Respondentsover45yearsof agearemorelikelytogive
bothoftheseresponses,asarethosewhohavebeendivorced.

81

Trends in Family Worship

Regularly

34%
16%

Atleastweekly

Never

21%
23%

13%

Sometimes

8%

44%
41%

33%
30%

12%
14%

2009

199394

197475

Overthepast35yearstherehasbeenasteadyincreaseinthepercentageofAdventist
familiesthatpracticefamilyworshiponaregular,oftendaily, basis.Atthesametime,
thosewhodosoaboutonceaweekorlessoftenmakeupadecliningshareofchurch
relatedfamilies.Thisindicatesthatpastoralteaching,denominationalpromotionand
resourcematerialshavebeensuccessfulinmovingasignificantnumberoffamiliesfroman
occasionalpracticetoamoreregularoccurrence.Thisisapositiveindicatorofstronger
spiritualvitalityinchurchrelatedfamiliesandthepositiveinfluenceofthedenominations
DepartmentofFamilyMinistrieswhichwasinitiatedin1995.

82

Usual Sabbath Activities

98% Attend church

88% Wear Sabbath clothes
72% Friday is preparation day
69% Quiet reading
68% Singing or Sabbath music
61% A Sabbath feast
58% Only Christian radio-TV
55% Turn off radio and TV
53% A nature walk

49% Visit friends or the sick,

aged or needy
45% Children go to S.S.
42% Friday sundown worship
19% Special Sabbath activities
for children
17% Community service
16% Make love with my
spouse on Friday night

TheSabbathasa24hourspiritualretreateachweekisacentralelementofAdventist
faith.BecauseofitsimportanceandthefreedomextendedtoeachmemberbyAdventist
theologytomakehisorherowndecisionsabouthowtocelebrate theSabbath,thissurvey
includedasetofquestionsabouttheactualSabbathpracticesofchurchrelatedfamilies.
ThemajorityofAdventistadultsinNorthAmericaobservetheSabbathbywearing
Sabbathclothes whentheygotochurch,preparingthehomefortheSabbathonFridays,
engaginginquietreading,participatinginsingingasafamilyorplayingsacredmusicinthe
home,havingaSabbathfeastatlunch,eitherturningoffradioandtelevisionaltogetheror
tuningonlytoChristianstations/channels,andparticipatingin anaturewalkonSabbath
afternoons.Ethnicminoritiesandimmigrantsamongtherespondentsaremorelikelyto
havesingingorsacredmusic,aSabbathfeast,andlimiteduseofbroadcastmediaonthe
Sabbath,whilenativebornrespondentsaremorelikelytoparticipateinquietreading ora
naturewalk.
SmallerpercentagesnotamajorityofAdventistsinNorthAmericataketimetovisit
friendsorthesick,agedorneedyamongtheircongregationontheSabbath,takechildren
toSabbathSchool,welcometheSabbathwithafamilyworshipserviceatsundownon
Fridays,planspecialSabbathactivitiesfortheirchildren,engageincommunityservice
projectsandexperienceaspecialblessinginmakinglovewiththeirspouseonFridaynight.
Ineachcaseethnicminoritiesandimmigrantsaremorelikelyto engageinthesepractices,
asareadultsunder45yearsofage.

83

Trends in Sabbath Activities

98%
97%

Attend c hurc h
W ear Sabbath c lothes

77%
72%

Friday preparation day

68%

Singing or Sabbath music

A Sabbath feast

55%

53%

A nature w alk

62%
64%

45%

Children go to SS

42%

Friday sundow n w orship

Make love w ith my spouse

62%

49%

V isit friends, etc .

19%

16%

60%
49%

43%

17%

92%

72%

61%

58%

Only Christian radio-TV

Community outreac h

79%

69%

Quiet reading

Ac tivities for c hildren

88%

1993-94

2009

56%
23%

Themostsignificantdifferentialamongthedemographicdataontheseitemsisthemuch
largerpercentageofimmigrantsthannativebornNorthAmericanswhoparticipatein
communityserviceontheSabbath.Nativebornchurchmembersseemtobepracticinga
moreandmoreselfcenteredSabbathexperience,whileimmigrantsretainatraditional
notionoftheSabbathasadayforreachingouttoothers.Onlysixpercentofthe
respondentswroteinadditionalactivitiesnotonthelist.
ThelistedSabbathactivitieshavedeclinedinthelast15years withtheexceptionofchurch
attendance,wearingSabbathclothesandenjoyingaSabbathfeast.Participationin
communityoutreachandcommunityservicehasdeclinedbynearly70percent.Special
activitiesforchildrenhavedeclinedbymorethanhalfandchildrenattendingSabbath
Schoolby25percent.Quietreadinghasalsodeclinedbyaquarter.Thesedatadonot
indicatethatchurchmembersaredoingthingsthatbreaktheSabbath;thatwouldbean
entirelyunwarrantedconclusion.Infact,itismorelikelythat thedeclineinSabbath
activitiesisprimarilyrelatedtoanincreaseinthepercentage ofAdventistswhonaporrest
onSabbathafternoon.Overthelast15yearstheaveragenumberofhoursthatAmericans
workhasincreasedsignificantly.AnecdotalevidenceindicatesthatasAdventistshaveto
workmorehourstomaintaintheirfamilyincomeormeetthedemandsofemployers,they
compensatebycatchingupontheirsleeponSabbath.Noonehasyetwrittenonthe
theologyofthisdevelopment,butitclearlyhasimpactedtheoutreachcapacityof
Adventistcongregations.

84

Have you ever been physically

abused by an adult?

TogetanestimateoftheincidenceofabuseamongAdventistfamilies,respondentswere
asked,Haveyoueverbeenphysicallyabusedbyanadult(ascar,blackandbluemarks,
welts,bleeding,brokenbones,etc.)? ThreeoutoffourAdventistadultsreportthatthis
hasneverhappenedtothem.Seniorcitizensaremorelikelytogivethisresponse,asare
thosefromthehighesthouseholdincomecategory,thosewhohave neverbeenthrougha
divorceandthosewhoidentifytheirethnicityasAfricanAmericanorAsian.
Eightpercentofrespondentsindicatethattheywerephysicallyabusedonlyonceintheir
lifetime.Thosefromlowincomehouseholdsaremorelikelytoselectthisresponse,asare
immigrantsandthosewhohavegonethroughadivorceatsomepoint.
Almostanequalnumbersaythishashappenedtothemtwoorthreetimes.Again,those
fromlowerincomehouseholdsandthosewhohavebeenthroughadivorcearemore
likelytogivethisresponse.
Oneintenrespondentsreportfourormoreincidentsofphysical abuseintheirlifetime.
Hereagainthosefromlowincomehouseholdsandthosewhohavebeenthroughadivorce
aremorelikelytoreportabuse.

85

Trend: Physically Abused by an Adult

199394

2009
25%
20%

7%

8%

Once

5%

7%

8%

10%

Twoorthreetimes Fourormoretimes

Ever

Overthepast15yearstherehasbeenanincreaseinthepercentageofAdventistswho
reportthattheywereatsomepointintheirlifephysicallyabusedbyanadult.Atthesame
time,thechangesinthevariousresponsestothefollowupquestionaskinghowmany
timesthisoccurredarenotstatisticallysignificant.

86

Have you ever been sexually

abused by an adult?
Yes

21%

Itwas
Afamilymember
Achurchmember
Ateacher,minister,etc.

Evertoldsomeone

12%
3%
2%

15%

OneinfiveAdventistadultsreportthattheyhavebeensexually abusedbyanadultat
somepointintheirlife.Youngadultsaremorelikelytoreport sexualabuse,asarethose
fromlowincomehouseholds.Thosewhohavebeenthroughadivorcearetwiceaslikely
toreportabuse.
Themajorityofthosewhoreportsexualabusealsoindicatethat theabuserwasarelative.
Seniorcitizensaremorelikelytogivethisresponse,asareimmigrants.Thesedataare
consistentwithotherresearchonthistopic.
Ofthoserespondentswhoreportsexualabuse,oneinsevenindicatethattheabuserwasa
churchmember.MiddleagedrespondentsfromtheBabyBoomgenerationaremorelikely
toreportthis,asarenativebornNorthAmericansandthosefrommiddleclass
households.Oneintenoftheabusedsaythattheirabuserwasa teacher,pastoror
volunteerleaderinthechurch.
Fifteenpercentofrespondentsreportthattheyhaveevertoldanyonethattheywere
sexuallyabused.Thismeansthataboutaquarterofthevictimsofsexualabuseamong
Adventistfamilieshaveneverrevealedtheirsituationandthatthereareathirdmorethan
thereportedcases.

87

Trend: Sexual Abuse by an Adult

21%
20%

Yes
Itwas
12%

Afamilymember

8%
3%
3%

Achurchmember
0%

5%
2009

10%

15%

20%

25%

199394

Therehasbeennostatisticallysignificantchangeinthepercentageofrespondentswho
reporthavingbeensexuallyabusedbyanadultoverthepast15years.Andthereisno
increaseinthepercentagewhoreporthavingbeensexuallyabusedbysomeonewhoisnot
arelative,butwasknownbytherespondentthroughthechurch.Atthesametime,there
isadisturbingincreasebyhalfagainofthepercentagewhoreportsexualabusebyafamily
member.

88

Problems in Your Local Church

Maritalconflict
Divorce
Premaritalsex
Emotionalabuse
Cohabitation
Adultery
Physicalabuse
Homosexuality

Bigproblem

Sexualabuse

Someproblem

Abortion

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

WhatistheextentofproblematicrelationshipsinAdventistcongregationsacrossNorth
America?Respondentswerepresentedwithalistoftensuchsituationsandaskedto
indicateineachcaseifitwasabigproblem orsomeproblem ornoproblem intheir
localchurch.
Themostcommonproblemismaritalconflict.NearlytwothirdsofAdventistadultsreport
thatconflictwithinmarriagesisaproblemintheircongregation,includingoneineightwho
seeitasabigproblem.Thoseunder45yearsofagearemorelikelytoreportthis,asare
thosewhoareimmigrants,thosewhoarefromethnicminoritiesandthoselivinginhigher
incomehouseholds.
Themajorityofrespondentsindicatethatdivorceisaproblemintheirlocalchurch,
includingoneintenwhoindicatethatitisabigproblem.Thoseunder45yearsofageare
morelikelytosayso,asarethosewhoareimmigrantsandthose whoarefromethnic
minorities.
Halftherespondentssaythatpremaritalsexisaproblemintheirlocalchurch,including
aboutoneintenwhosayitisabigproblem.Youngerrespondentsunder45yearsofage
aremorelikelytogivethisresponse,asthosewhoareimmigrantsandthosefromethnic
minorities.

89

Abouttwoinfiverespondents(ineachcase)seeemotionalabuseandcouplesliving
togetheroutsideofmarriageasproblemsintheirlocalchurch,includingsmaller
percentageswhorateeachitemasabigproblem.Bothitemshaveasimilar
demographicprofile.Adultsintheir30sandearly40sfromGenerationXaremorelikely
toreporttheseproblems,asareimmigrantsandthosefromethnicminorities.
AthirdofAdventistadultssaythatadulteryisaproblemintheircongregation,although
onlyasmallpercentagesayitisabigproblem.AgainrespondentsfromGenerationX,
thosewhoareimmigrantsandthosefromethnicminoritiesaremorelikelytogivethis
response.
Alittlemorethanoneinfiverespondentsindicatethatphysicalabuseofaspouseor
childisaproblemintheirlocalchurch.Aboutoneineightsaythesameregardingsexual
abuseorincest.Inbothcasesthosefromuppermiddleclasshouseholdswithincomes
above$75,000ayeararemorelikelytoreportthebehavior,asareimmigrantsand
thosefromethnicminorities.
Abortionandhomosexualityarecontroversialtopics.Inbothcasessomerespondents
wrotenotesobjectingtotheseitemsbeingincludedinalistofproblems.Just17
percentofrespondentsseehomosexualityasaproblemintheirlocalchurchandonly
12percentsaythesameaboutabortion.Inbothcasesadultsintheir30sandearly40s
fromGenerationXaremorelikelytoreporttheseitemsasproblems,whileyoungadults
intheMillennialgenerationaremorelikelytosaytheyarenoproblem.
OverallthesedataindicatethatthereisplentyofworkforFamilyMinistriestodo.It
alsogivessomeperspectiveonthedemandsonpastorsforvariouskindsofpastoral
care.Nonetheless,itmustbekeptinmindthatthesedataareaboutperceptionsand
notactualincidencedata.Forexample,inasmallchurchasingleincidentmaybeseen
asabigproblemoveralongperiodoftime,whileinalargecongregationmostofthe
membersmaybeentirelyunawareoftheextentofthesebehaviors.

90

Any church member who divorces

should have membership dropped.
Agreecompletely
Disagreesomewhat

Agreesomewhat
Disagreecompletely

Notsure

2% 3%
7%
22%
66%

Thereisoverwhelmingrejectionoftheideathatanychurchmemberwhogetsadivorce
shouldhavehisorherchurchmembershiptakenaway. Thisisnottheofficialpositionof
theAdventistChurch,butthereareasmallnumberofmemberswhohavepromotedthis
viewovertheyears.Nearlynineoutoftenrespondents(88percent)disagreewiththis
position.Thosefromhighincomehouseholdsaremorelikelytodisagreeasarenative
bornNorthAmericans,thosewhoreporttheirethnicityasBlackorHispanic,andthose
whoindicatethattheyhavegonethroughadivorceatsomepoint intheirlife.
Justfivepercentoftherespondentsagreewiththisposition.Thosefromlowincome
householdsaremorelikelytoagree,asarethosewhoareimmigrants.

91

Trend: Any church member who divorces

should have membership dropped.
70% 66%

1%

2%

Agree
completely

2%

3%

Agree
somewhat

9%

17%
7%

Notsure
199394

22%

Disagree
somewhat

Disagree
completely

2009

Theoverwhelmingdisagreementwiththeviewthatanychurchmemberwhogetsa
divorceshouldhavehisorherchurchmembershiptakenaway hasdecayedjustalittle
overthelast15years.Thereisasmallshiftfromthosewhodisagreecompletely tothose
whodisagreesomewhat. Theotherdifferencesaretoosmalltobestatistically
significant.
Somemembersthinkthatthisofficialpositionofthedenomination.Infact,itisnot.Itisa
viewthatsomepastorsandchurchboardsmayhaveimplementedin thepast.Ithasbeen
advocatedbyafewindividuals,butclearlyAdventistsinNorthAmericadonotbelievein
thisposition.

92

Only the guilty party should have

their church membership dropped.
Agreecompletely

Agreesomewhat

Notsure

Disagreesomewhat

Disagreecompletely

12%
16%

41%
17%

14%

Theofficialpositionofthedenominationisthatafteradivorcehasoccurred,achurch
memberhasnorighttoremarryunlesstheyarethevictimofadulteryorabandonment by
an unbelieving spouse. Church discipline is appropriate only at the time of an unbiblical
remarriage, which can be years after the divorce. In practice this has been perceived in
terms of the statement presented in this item: "Only the guilty party [the spouse
committing adultery] should be disfellowshipped when a church couple gets a divorce."
This is not a precise statementofofficial policy, but seeks to capture the widespread

understanding of the policy.

Astrongmajorityoftherespondents(58percent)disagreewithwhat theyinmost
casesunderstandtobeAdventistChurchpolicy.Thosefromhighincomehouseholdsare
morelikelytodisagree,asarethosewhohavegonethroughadivorceandthosewho
reporttheirethnicityasAsianorPacificIslander.
Alittlemorethanaquarterofrespondents(28percent)agreewithwhatiswidely
understoodtobetheofficialpositionondivorce.Thosefromlowincomehouseholdsare
morelikelytoagree,asareimmigrantsandthosewhoindicateBlackorHispanicethnicity.
Thereisacorrelationwithageinbothresponses.Theolderarespondentisthemorelikely
theyaretoagreewiththestatement.Theyoungerarespondentisthemorelikelytheyare
todisagreewiththestatement.

93

Trend: Only the guilty party should have

their church membership dropped.
41%
35%
22%
12%

Agree
completely

13%

16%

Agree
somewhat

16% 14%

Notsure
199394

14%

17%

Disagree
somewhat

Disagree
completely

2009

Thisviewcomesclosesttotheofficialpositionofthedenominationandithaslesssupport
todaythanithad15yearsagowhennearlyhalftherespondents(49percent)disagreed
withit.Disagreementhasgrowntoasolidmajority(58percent) ofAdventistsinNorth
America,althoughitmaycontinuetohavewidesupportoverseas. Thosewhoagreewith
thispositionhavedeclinedfrom35percentinthe199394surveyto28percentinthe
2009survey.
Anecdotalevidenceindicatesthatchurchdisciplinerelatedtobrokenmarriagesisveryrare
intheAdventistChurchinNorthAmericatoday.Thesedatashowthatthereislittle
supportamongthemembershipforsuchinterventionsandwhatsupportremainsisrapidly
waning.Clearlychurchleadersneedtofindnewwaystodealwiththisareaofneed.

94

Divorced members should not be

allowed to be ordained elders.
Agreecompletely

Agreesomewhat

Disagreesomewhat

Disagreecompletely
7%

Notsure

10%
14%

47%
22%

Anotherapproachtotheproblemofdivorcehasbeensuggestedandwidelydiscussed,
althoughnotofficiallyadopted.Thisisexpressedinthestatement,Anychurchmember
whohaseverbeendivorcedshouldneverserveasanordained,localelder. Morethan
twothirdsoftherespondents(69percent)disagreewiththisview.Thoseunder45years
ofageareevenmorelikelytodisagree,asarethosefromuppermiddleincome
households,thenativebornNorthAmericansandthosewhohaveevergonethrougha
divorce.
Lessthanoneinsixrespondents(17percent)agreewiththisposition.Thosefromlow
incomehouseholdsandimmigrantsaremorelikelytoagree.

95

Trend: Divorced members should not

be allowed to be ordained elders.
40%

17%
11%

7%

Agree
completely

10% 10%

Agree
somewhat

47%

22% 22%
14%

Notsure
199394

Disagree
somewhat

Disagree
completely

2009

Supporthasalsodwindledfortheconceptthatchurchmemberswhogetadivorceshould
bebannedfromservingasanordainedlocalelder.Inthe199394surveynearlytwothirds
oftherespondents(62percent)disagreedwiththispositionand inthe2009survey
rejectionhasgrownto69percent.Only17percentofchurchmembersstillagreewiththis
idea.
Thesedataarefurtherevidenceofthenewconsensusthatchurch disciplineisnotthe
appropriatewayforthechurchtorespondtomemberswhogetadivorce.Mostlocal
churchesinNorthAmericaareignoringtheChurchManual instructionsinthisregard.The
situationcriesoutforstudyandrevisionofofficialpolicy.

96

In dealing with divorce, my local

church is too

Harsh

Liberal

Agreecompletely

Agreesomewhat

Disagreesomewhat

Disagreecompletely

2% 4%

4% 12%

36%

Notsure

19%

36%

39%

16%

32%

Inanattempttounderstandtherangeofopinionabouthowcongregationshandledivorce,
respondentswereaskedtoindicatetheiragreementordisagreementwitheachoftwo
statements.Mylocalchurchistooliberalinhowitdealswithdivorcesbychurchmember
couples, and,Mylocalchurchistooharshinhowitdealswithdivorcesbychurch
membercouples. Foreachitemdisagreementoverwhelmedagreementbymanytimes.
Only16percentofrespondentsagreethattheirlocalchurchistooliberal indealingwith
divorceandjustsixpercentsaythatitistooharsh. Amajorityrejectthetooharsh
statementandnearlyhalf(48percent)rejectthetooliberal statement.Ineachcase36
percentsaytheyarenotsure,whichisevidencethatthereareveryfewcasesinwhich
localchurchesinitiateanypublicaction.
Thesedatamayseemcontradictoryatfirstglance.Thereareatleastthreepossible
explanations.(1)Churchesarenotdealingwithdivorce.Itisbeingignoredandthereisa
probablyaparalleltrendthatchurchmembersdropoutwhendivorcebecomesa
possibility.(2)Churcheshavefarfewerdivorcestodealwithbecauseoftheagingofthe
membership.(3)Pastorsaredoingbetterathandlingdivorcesthantheydidinthepast,
possiblyduetoincreasedemotionalintelligenceamongthepastoralworkforce.Therefore,
thereiswidersupportforthewaydivorcesarebeinghandledandmostmembersdonot
feelitiseithertooharsh ortooliberal, butjustright.

97

Trends: In dealing with divorce,

my local church is too
Agreecompletely

Agreesomewhat

Disagreesomewhat

Disagreecompletely

Harsh(199394)

4%5%

Harsh(2009)

2%4%

Liberal(199394)

8%

Liberal(2009)

4% 12%

34%

36%

Notsure
19%

38%

19%

39%

38%

15%

36%

17%

16%

22%

32%

Boththepercentageofmemberswhothinkthattheirlocalchurch istooharshindealing
withdivorceandthosewhothinktheirlocalchurchistooliberalonthistopichave
declined,increasingthesharesthatdisagreewithbothviewpoints.Theendresultis
greaterconsensuswhichmay,infact,supportignoringdivorceswhentheyoccuror
approachingthemasprivatemattersthatneedonlypastoralcare,notchurchdiscipline.

98

Does your local church have an active

program for family life education?
Yes
29%

Don'tknow
25%
No
46%

LessthanathirdofAdventistsinNorthAmericareportthattheirlocalchurchhasactive
FamilyMinistries.Adultsintheir30sandearly40sfromGenerationXaremorelikelyto
reportthattheirchurchhasanactiveprogram,asareBlacks,immigrantsandthosefrom
highincomehouseholds.Inviewofthefactthatoneinfourrespondentssaytheycannot
answerthisquestionbecausetheydontknow,itmaybethatthesedemographicsreflect
awarenessmorethanthetypeofcongregationsthathaveactiveFamilyMinistries
programs.Ontheotherhand,thereisconsiderableevidencefrom officialreportsthatthe
RegionalConferences,withthecongregationsthatservemostoftheBlackmembershipin
theAdventistChurchinNorthAmerica,havestrongerFamilyMinistriesstaffing,andthat
congregationswithactiveFamilyMinistriesdobetteratattractingyoungfamilies.
Nearlyhalfoftherespondentssaythattherelocalchurchdefinitelydoesnothavean
activeprogramoffamilylifeeducation.YoungadultsfromtheMillennialgenerationare
morelikelytogivethisresponse,asarethosefrommiddleclasshouseholdswithannual
incomesof$50,000to$75,000,nativebornNorthAmericansandthosewhoidentifytheir
ethnicityaswhite.
ClearlytheFamilyMinistriesDepartmenthasmuchroomtogrowatthelocallevel.There
isaneedtoinitiateministriesinmanymorecongregations.Becausetraditionallywhite
congregationstendtobemuchsmallerthancongregationsmadeup ofethnicminorities,
FamilyMinistriesmayneedtoadaptitsapproachtoreachmoreoftheselocalchurches.

99

Trend: Churches with Family Ministries

63%
46%
29%
20%

16%

Yes

No
199394

25%

Don'tknow
2009

Thenumberofchurchmembersinacongregationwithafamilylifeeducationprogramof
somekindhasnearlydoubledinthelast15years.Inthe199394surveyaboutoneinsix
AdventistsinNorthAmerica(16percent)reportedthattheirlocalchurchhadanactive
familyministriesprogramandinthe2009surveythishasgrownto29percent.Thatisa
significantachievementforthenewFamilyMinistriesDepartment whichwaslaunchedin
1996.
Thenumberofchurchmemberswhosaythattheirlocalchurchdefinitelydoesnothave
anykindoffamilylifeeducationactivitieshasdroppedfromnearlytwothirdsinthe1993
94surveytolessthanhalfinthe2009survey.Thepercentagewhodonotknowremains
aboutthesame.

100

Does your local church do enough

to meet the needs of single adults?
9%
10%

33%

Ithasasinglesministry
Ithashadactivities
24%
24%

Ittriestobecaring
I'mnotsure
No

AthirdofAdventistadultssaythattheirlocalchurchsimplydoesnotdoenough(if
anything)tomeettheneedsofsingleadults,whileanotherquarterareevidentlyunaware
ofanysuchactivity.MuchresearchhasshownthatProtestantcongregationstendtolean
towardmarriedpeopleandnotmeettheneedsofsingles.Younger respondentsaremore
likelytoagreewiththisnegativeview,asarethosewhoareimmigrantsorfromethnic
minorities.Thisisclearlyanareaofministrythatneedsattention.
Justninepercentofrespondentsindicatethattheircongregationhasasinglesministryof
somekind.Thisresponseismorelikelyfromrespondentslivinginhighincomehouseholds
andthosewithaCaribbeanethnicbackground.Anothertenpercentofrespondentswith
asimilardemographicskewsaythattheirlocalchurchhashadsomeactivitiesforsingles
onoccasion.
Oneinfourrespondentssaythattheirlocalchurchtriestobecaring towardsingle
adults.Seniorcitizensaremorelikelytogivethisresponse,asarethosefromlowincome
households,nativebornNorthAmericansandthosewhoreporttheirethnicityaswhite.

101

Trend: Local Church Efforts to Meet

the Needs of Single Adults
48%
33%

27% 24%
9%
1%
Hasasingles
ministry

6%

18%

24%

10%

Hashad
activities

Triestobe
caring
199394

Iamnotsure

Nothing

2009

Overthepast15yearstherehasbeenasignificantincreaseinthenumberofAdventist
Churchmemberswhoreportthattheirlocalcongregationhasasinglesministryorhashad
atleastsomeactivitiesforsingleadults.Respondentswhoreportthattheirlocalchurch
hasasinglesministryhasgrownfromonlyonepercentinthe199394surveytonine
percentinthe2009survey,aneightfoldincrease.Atthesametimethenumberof
respondentswhosaythattheirlocalchurchhashadatleastsomeactivitiesforsingleshas
nearlydoubledfromsixpercentinthe199394surveytotenpercentinthe2009survey.
Therehasbeenacorrespondingdecreaseinthepercentageofrespondentswhosaythat
theirlocalchurchprovidesnothingspecificallyforsingleadults.
ThisisanothersignificantachievementforthenewFamilyMinistriesDepartmentinthe
SeventhdayAdventistChurchinNorthAmerica.Earlierresearchhasshownthat
congregationstendtoignoreandevendiscriminateagainstsingleadults,focusingonthe
needsofmarriedpeople.ClearlythenewFamilyMinistriesDepartmenthasbeguntoturn
thissituationaround.

102

How important is it for the local

church to provide
Marriagepreparation
Moralguidance
Marriageenrichment
Parenteducation
Counselorreferrallist
Griefrecovery
Conflictclass
Singlesministry
Divorcerecovery
Communicationclass
Addictionrecovery
Sexeducation
Counselingservices
0%

10%

Absolutelyessential

20%

30%

Veryimportant

40%

50%

60%

70%

Somewhatimportant

80%

90%

100%

Notimportant

AdventistadultshavehighexpectationsforFamilyMinistries.A totalof13specific
programsandservicesweretestedinthissurvey.Respondentswereaskedtoindicateona
fourpointcontinuumhowimportantitwastothemforeachofthesetobeofferedintheir
localchurch.Foreveryprogrammorethan70percentoftherespondentsfeelthatitis
absolutelyessential orveryimportant forittobeofferedinthelocalchurch.
Theservicewiththehighestdemandispremaritalcounselingoreducation.Thereisstrong
supportforthedenominationalpolicythatcallsforeverypastortoprovideforpremarital
preparationpriortoeachweddingheorsheconducts.Twothirds sayitisabsolutely
essentialandmorethannineoutoftenseeitasimportant.Adultsover30areevenmore
likelytoseetheneedforthisprogram.
Nineoutoftenrespondentsalsothinklocalchurchesmustprovideguidanceinmoral
decisionmakingbychurchmembersandmarriagestrengtheningprograms.Adultsover30
aremorelikelytoseeaneedformoralguidance,whilethoseunder45aremorelikelyto
seeaneedformarriageenrichmentactivities.Inbothcasesrespondentsfromlower
incomehouseholdsaremorelikelytosupportsuchprogramming,asarethosewhohave
gonethroughadivorce.
Nearlynineoutoftenrespondentswantparenteducationtobeprovidedinthelocal
church.Thoseunder45yearsofageareevenmorelikelytoseeaneedforparent
education,asarethosefromlowincomehouseholdsandthosewhohavebeenthrougha
divorce.

103

MorethanfouroutoffiverespondentswanttheirpastororlocalFamilyMinistries
leadertomaintainareferrallistofChristiancounselors.Anequalpercentagewanta
seminaronfamilyconflictmanagementandagriefrecoveryprogramintheirlocal
church.Blackrespondentsaremorelikelytosupporteachoftheseitems,asarethose
whohavebeenthroughadivorce.Thoseover45yearsofagefeelmorestronglyabout
theneedforagriefrecoveryprogram,whilethoseintheir30sandearly40saremore
interestedinthereferrallistofChristiancounselorsandthosefromlowincome
householdsaremorelikelytoseeaneedforaclassonfamilyconflictmanagement.
Morethanthreequartersofrespondentswantasinglesministryintheirlocalchurch.
Adultsintheir30s,40sand50saremoresupportiveofthis,asarethosewhohavebeen
throughadivorce.
Threequartersoftherespondentswanttheirlocalchurchtoprovideaclasson
communicationskills.Midlifeadultsaremorelikelytoseethisneed,asarethosefrom
lowincomehouseholds,immigrantsandBlackandHispanicrespondents.
NearlythreequartersofAdventistadultssayitisabsolutelyessentialorvery
importantforlocalchurchestohaveanaddictionrecoverysupportgroupofsomekind.
Thoseover30yearsofagearemorelikelytoseethisneed,asarethosefromlow
incomehouseholds,thosewhohavebeenthroughadivorceandthosewhoreporttheir
ethnicityasBlackorHispanic.
NearlythreequartersofAdventistChurchmembersinNorthAmericawanttheirlocal
churchtooffereducationregardingsexualityandafamilycounselingcenter.Adults
under45aremorelikelytowanttheseservices,asarethosefromhouseholdswith
annualincomesoflessthan$50,000,thosewhohavebeenthroughadivorce,
immigrantsandthosefromethnicminorities.

104

Median Age

56

57
50

Respondents

Spouses

TotalSample

Therespondentsrecordedtheyearofbirthforthemselves,their spouseandeachchild.
Thesedatafortherespondents,spousesandminorchildrenwerebroughttogetherina
datasetthatincludedtheyearofbirthfor3,443individuals.Thisprovidedasamplethat
yieldsamedianagecalculationthatiscomparablewiththedata fromthecensus.
ThedemographicprofileofSeventhdayAdventistsinNorthAmericapublishedlastyear
reportedthemedianageas51.Thedifferenceinthisstudyisonlyoneyearandreflects
thefactthatasampleoffamiliesyieldsaslightlyyoungergroupthanageneralsampleof
alladherents.
ThemedianagefortheUnitedStatesiscurrently36andforCanadaitis35.Thereisa
significantagegapbetweenAdventistfamiliesandthatofthegeneralpublicinNorth
America.TheChurchisengagingfarfeweryoungpeoplethanolderpeople.Seethe
bibliographyforotherpublicationsthatprovidefurtherresearchandanalysisonthistopic.

105

Generations
GenX
18%

Millennials
6%

Seniors
32%

Boomers
44%

NorthAmericanadultstodayconstitutefourgenerationsormajor agecohortsstudiedby
demographersandotherresearchers.Itisimportanttounderstandthedefinitionsofthese
generationsastheyarereferredtothroughoutthisreport.
Seniorcitizens arethosebornin1945andearlier,theyoungestofwhomareturning65in
2010.Theymakeupathirdofthesampleinthisstudyandarethefastestgrowing
segmentofboththenationalpopulationsinNorthAmericaandtheadherentstothe
AdventistChurch.
BabyBoomers arethosebornfrom1946through1964,whoare46through64yearsof
agein2010.TheyconstitutethelargestgenerationofNorthAmericansingeneralandthe
largestsegmentofthissample.NearlyhalfofAdventistadultsareBabyBoomers,asare
themajorityofpastorsandchurchboardmembers.
GenerationX isthesomewhatdisrespectful,butwidelyused,identifierforthoseborn
from1965through1977,whoare33through45yearsofagein2010.Thisisthe
generationwiththelargestshareofminorchildrenintheirhomesandperhapsthosemost
interestedinbuildingstrongmarriagesandfamilies.
TheMillennialgeneration ismadeupofthosebornfrom1978through1994,whoare16
to32yearsofagein2010.Thesearetodaysyoungadultsandteenagers.Theyarethe
smallestagesegmentofthissurvey.

106

Generations of Respondents Compared

to NAD Demographic Profile Survey
44%
32% 31%

30%
18%

Seniors

Boomers

AdventistFamilySurvey

10%

GenX

6%

14%

Millennials

NADDemographicSurvey

RespondentsfromGenXandtheBabyBoomgenerationareoverrepresentedinthis
survey,butthatistobeexpectedtheadultsintheir30s,40sand50saretheprimaryheads
offamilies.Youngerandolderpeoplearelesslikelytobepart ofafamilyunitasaremid
lifeadults.
InthisgraphtheyearofbirthorganizedbygenerationsfromthisstudytheAdventist
FamilySurveyiscomparedtothedatacollectedayearearlierandpublishedintheNorth
AmericanDivision(NAD)DemographicProfile.ThefullcitationoftheNADreportis
includedinthebibliography.

107

Gender of Respondents

Twiceasmanywomenasmenfilledoutthequestionnairesusedin thissurvey.
Informationwascollectedinthequestionnaireforbothspouses, butitshouldbekeptin
mindthattheperspectiveofwomenistwiceasstrongastheperspectiveofmeninthis
study.Thereisconsiderableresearch,bothfromtheAdventistChurchandotherChristian
bodies,indicatingthatwomenaremoreactiveinchurchthanare men.Thisfactexplains,
inpart,theimbalanceamongtherespondents.Anotherfactoristhatwhenthe
questionnairepacketwasopenedbythecoupleswhoresponded,it islikelythattherewas
atendencyonthepartofsomementofeelthatitwasmoreappropriatefortheirwifeto
fillitoutbecausetheyseefamilylifeaspartofthefemalegenderrole.

108

Ethnicity of Respondents
2% 2%
12%

AfricanAmerican

11%

Caribbean
5%

60%

8%

Asian
Hispanic
White
Other
Multiethnic

Significantlymorewhitesthanrespondentsfromethnicminoritiesreturneda
questionnaireinthissurvey,despitethefactthattherewasan oversamplinginhistorically
AfricanAmericanandimmigrantcongregations.Considerableresearchhasshownthat
individualsfromethnicminoritiesinNorthAmericaareoftenmorereluctanttorespondin
surveysthatwillbedominatedbymajorityperspectives.Despite ourbesteffortsinthis
study,itisapparentwedidnotentirelyovercomethistendency.Despitethisreality,40
percentoftherespondentsarefromvariousethnicminoritygroupsandthatprovidesa
strongsampleoftheviewsandexperienceofpeopleofcolorintheAdventistChurchin
NorthAmerica.Throughoutthisreportstatisticallysignificantdifferencesinminority
responseshavebeennotedsothatthevoicesofthesepeopleare highlighted.

109

Immigrants
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Respondents

Spouses

NADMembers

Asomewhatsmallerpercentoftherespondentsinthisstudyidentifiedthemselvesas
immigrantstotheU.S.orCanadaasisknowntobepresentinthemembersoftheNorth
AmericanDivisionoftheSeventhdayAdventistChurch.ThepercentageofNAD
Members aboveisfromSeventhdayAdventistsinNorthAmerica:ADemographicProfile
byMonteSahlinandPaulRichardson(2008,CenterforCreativeMinistry),astudy
commissionedbytheNADSecretariat.
Thedifferencemaybedue,inpart,tothesamereluctanceofethnicminoritiestorespond
tosurveysdominatedbymajorityperspectivesasnotedonthepreviouspage.Itmayalso
bedue,inpart,tolanguagebarriers.AversionofthequestionnaireinSpanishwasmade
availabletothosewhopastorswhorequestedit,butthequestionnairewasnottranslated
intoFrenchorotherlanguagespresentamongtheimmigrantcommunitiespresentinthe
AdventistChurchinNorthAmerica.Despitethesedifficulties,oneinfourofthe
respondentsinthisstudyareimmigrantsandalargernumberoftheirspousesforwhom
informationwasalsoreportedareimmigrants.Thevoiceofimmigrantsisasolidpartof
thisstudy.

110

Education
60%
50%
40%
30%

Respondents
Spouses

20%

NADMembers

10%
0%
Secondarydiploma Collegedegree
orless

Graduatedegree

Theeducationoftherespondentstothissurveyisaboutthesameasthatfoundinthe
recentprofileofmembersoftheNorthAmericanDivision(NAD)oftheSeventhday
AdventistChurch.(Seebibliography.)Aslightlylargernumberoftherespondentsinthis
studyhaveagraduatedegree.Theotherdifferencesarenotstatisticallysignificant.
Respondentswithasecondarydiplomaorlesseducationaremorelikelyamongsenior
citizensandthosefromhouseholdswithannualincomesbelow$50,000.Thesameistrue
fornativebornrespondentsandthosewhohavebeenthroughadivorce.
Respondentswithacollegedegree,butwhohavenotalsocompletedagraduatedegree,
aremorelikelyamongthoseunder45yearsofage.Thesameistrueforimmigrantsand
thosefromhouseholdswithannualincomesbelow$50,000.
Respondentswithgraduatedegreesaremorelikelybefromhigherincomehouseholds
withannualincomesof$75,000ormore.Theyarealsomorelikelytobefoundamong
adultsintheir30sandearly40s,AsianandCaribbeanimmigrants,andthosewhohavenot
experiencedadivorce.

111

Trend in Education
41%

40%

41%
36%
23%

23%

22%
11%
4%

Secondarydiplomaorless

Collegedegree
197475

199394

Graduatedegree
2009

AgrowingpercentageofAdventistsinNorthAmericaarecompletingcollegeandgraduate
degrees.Theproportionofcollegegraduateshasnearlydoubledinthelast15years,while
theproportionwithhigherdegreeshasmorethandoubled.TheAdventistfamilytodayis
highlyeducated,andthereforemuchmorelikelythantheaverage NorthAmericanfamily
tovalueeducation.

112

Annual Household Income

28%
23%
18%

18%
13%

Under$25,000

$25,000to
$49,999

$50,000to
$74,999

$75,000to
$99,999

$100,000or
more

Thereisaspikeinthelowermiddleclass,whichisthesameprofilethattheAdventist
populationhadfromthe1950sintothe1970s.Duringthe1980sand1990s,thespike
movedtothemiddlemiddleandthentheuppermiddlesegments.Itappearsthat
Adventistshavelostsomegroundintermsofeconomicstatusinthelastdecade.Thismay
beduetofactorssuchasadisproportionatelossfromdropoutamonghigherincome
householdsandanincreasingpercentageofethnicminoritieswhichhavealarger
percentageoflowerincomehouseholds.
Lowincomehouseholds(under$25,000peryear)havelargerproportionsofbothsenior
citizensandyoungadults,aswellasAfricanAmericans,nativebornrespondentsandthose
whohavebeenthroughadivorce.Lowermiddleincomehouseholds($25,000to$49,999
annually)havethesameprofileaslowincomehouseholdsexceptthattherearefewer
AfricanAmericansandmoreHispanicsandwhites.Middleincomehouseholds($50,000to
$74,999annually)havedisproportionatenumbersofimmigrants,especiallyfromthe
Caribbean.Uppermiddleincomehouseholds($75,000to$99,999annually)aremorelikely
tohaverespondentsintheir30sandearly40s.Themostaffluenthouseholdswithannual
incomesof$100,000ormorehavelargerpercentagesofmiddleagedrespondentsand
immigrantsfromAsiaandthePacificIslands.

113

Trend in Annual Household Income

46%

32%

31%

28%
23%
18%

16%
6%

Lowerincome

Lowermiddle

Middlemiddle

Uppermiddle

Althoughtheactualdollarsinvolvedineachcategoryhaschangedinthepast15years,
therehasalsobeenasignificantshifttowardalargerportionofAdventistfamiliesamong
themiddlemiddleincomeanduppermiddleincomecategorieswithacorresponding
decreaseinthepercentagesamongthelowerincomeandlowermiddleincome
categories.AdventistsinNorthAmericaareincreasinglyamongthemiddleclassandless
presentamongtheworkingclassandlowincomesegmentsofthepopulation.Historic
dataispublishedinTrends,Attitudes&Opinions:TheSeventhdayAdventistChurchin
NorthAmericabyMonteSahlin(1998,CenterforCreativeMinistry).

114

Bibliography
Crider,C.C.andKistler,R.D.(1979).TheSeventhdayAdventistFamily:AnEmpirical
Study.BerrienSprings,MI:AndrewsUniversityPress.
Dudley,RogerandWalshe,Allan(2009).MinisteringwithMillennials.Lincoln,NE:
AdventSource.
Gillespie,V.B.,M.Donahue,R.GaneandE.Boyatt(2004).ValuegenesisTenYearsLater:
AStudyofTwoGenerations.Riverside,CA:HancockCenterforYouthandFamily
Ministry.
Sahlin,Monte(1995).TheAdventistFamilyintheUnitedStatesandCanada.Silver
Spring,MD:NorthAmericanDivisionoftheSeventhdayAdventistChurch.
Sahlin,Monte(1996).FamilyBreakdown:WhyDoesItHappentoAdventistsandWhat
CanBeDonetoPreventIt?WestlakeVillage,CA:ChurchResourceCenterofthePacific
UnionConference.
Sahlin,Monte(1998).Trends,AttitudesandOpinions:TheSeventhdayAdventistChurch
inNorthAmerica.Lincoln,NE:CenterforCreativeMinistry.
Sahlin,MonteandNorma(1997).ANewGenerationofAdventistFamilies.Lincoln,NE:
CenterforCreativeMinistry.
Sahlin,MonteandRichardson,Paul(2008).SeventhdayAdventistsinNorthAmerica:A
DemographicProfile.MiltonFreewater,OR:CenterforCreativeMinistry.

Technical Appendix
In interpreting survey results, it should be borne in mind that all sample surveys are
subject to sampling error. That is the extent to which the results may differ from what would be
obtained if the whole population had been interviewed or completed a questionnaire. The size of
such sampling errors depends on the actual number of interviews or questionnaires, not the
number of responses as a percentage of the population.
The following tables may be used in estimating the sampling error of any percentage in
this report. The computed allowances have taken into account the effect of the sample design
upon sampling error. They may be interpreted as indicating the range (plus or minus the figure
shown) within which the results of repeated samplings in the same time period could be expected
to vary, 95 percent of the time, assuming the same sampling procedures, the same interviewers
and/or the same questionnaire.
Table A shows how much allowance should be made for the sampling error of any
percentage reported. This table would be used in the following manner: If a reported percentage
is 33 for a group that includes 1,250 respondents ... then, go to the row that says "percentages
near 30" in the table and go across to the column headed "1,250." The number at this point is 3,
which means that the 33 percent obtained in the sample is subject to a sampling error of plus or
minus 3 points. This means that very probably (95 chances out of 100) the actual figure would be
somewhere between 30 percent and 36 percent, with the most likely figure the 33 percent
obtained in the survey.
In comparing survey results in two sub-samples, for example, men and women, the
question arises as to how large a difference between them must be before one can be reasonably
sure that it reflects a real difference. Table B and Table C indicate the number of points which
must be allowed for in such comparisons to make them "statistically significant." Table C is for
percentages near 20 or 80. Table B is for percentages near 50. For percentages in between, the
factor to be allowed for is between those shown on the two tables.
Here is how these tables are used: If 50% of men respond a certain way and 40% of
women respond that way also, for a difference of 10 percentage points between them, can we say
that the 10 point difference reflects a real difference between the two groups on that question?
Let's say the sample contains about 750 of each gender.
Since the percentages are near 50, consult Table B. Since the total sample is 1,500, look
for the number in the column headed "1,500." Since the two sub-samples are 750 persons each,
look for the row designated "750." Where the row and column intersect, you will find the
number 6. This means that the difference between the two groups must be greater than 6
percentage points to be "statistically significant." In other words, we can conclude with
considerable confidence that a real difference exists in the answers of men and women to this
question.

Table A
Recommended Allowance for Sampling Error
Size of Sample ....
Percentages
Percentages
Percentages
Percentages
Percentages
Percentages
Percentages
Percentages
Percentages

near
near
near
near
near
near
near
near
near

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90

1,500

1,250

1,000

750

500

250

2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2

2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2

2
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
2

3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3

3
4
5
5
5
5
5
4
3

5
6
7
8
8
8
7
6
5

100

Table B
Recommended Allowance for Sampling Error of the Difference
In Percentage Points for Percentages near 50
Size of Sample ....
1,500
1,250
1,000
750
500
250
100

1,500
4
5
5
6
6
8
13

1,250

1,000

750

5
5
6
6
8
13

5
6
7
9
13

6
7
9
13

500

8
9
13

250

100

11
14

17

Table C
Recommended Allowance for Sampling Error of the Difference
In Percentage Points
For Percentages near 20 or Percentages near 80
Size of Sample ....
1,500
1,250
1,000
750
500
250
100

1,500

1,250

1,000

750

4
4
4
4
5
7
10

4
4
4
5
7
10

4
5
5
7
10

5
6
7
10

500

6
8
11

250

100

9
12

14

7
10
11
12
12
12
11
10
7

The Adventist Family Survey2009

1. What is your marital status?

Married once and still living with that spouse

Married once and divorced from that spouse
Married once and lost that spouse by death
Married more than once and still living with the last spouse
Married more than once and divorced from the last spouse (now single)
Married more than once and lost the last spouse by death (now single)
Never marriedSkip to Question 38.

9999

2. What year were you first married?

3. How was your marriage solemnized?

Married by a minister of your faith

Married by a minister of your spouses faith
Married by a minister other than the faith of you or your spouse
Married by a Justice of the Peace, magistrate, clerk or other civil official
Other (please specify) _________________________________________
4. Were you married in a church?

Yes No

5. What was the age relationship between you and your spouse?

Same age
No more than two years difference
Three to five years difference
6 to 10 years difference
11 to 15 years difference
More than 15 years difference
6. How long had you known your spouse before you became engaged?

Less than six months

Seven months to one year
13 to 24 months
Two to five years
Over five years
7. What was the length of time between your engagement and marriage?

Less than six months

Seven months to one year
13 to 24 months
More than two years

8. Where did you first meet your spouse?

At home (yours or spouses)

At church (yours or spouses)
At school
At work or through professional activities
Traveling or on vacation
Public gathering, concert, theater, bar, lounge, etc.
At a party, convention, etc.
At a neighborhood organization, PTA, recreation group, etc.
On the street, at a bus stop, airport, etc. (public place)
On line via the Internet or World Wide Web
Other: ______________________________________________
9. Who introduced you to your spouse?

We introduced ourselves
Parents or other relatives introduced us
A friend introduced us
Pastor or other church worker introduced us
Business or work associate introduced us
We were never really formally introduced.
10. How many years of school did you have when you married?

A graduate or professional degree

A college degree
Some college but had not yet graduated
Secondary (high school) diploma or GED
Some secondary school but had not yet graduated
Less than Grade 9
11. How many years of school did your spouse have when you married?

A graduate or professional degree

A college degree
Some college but had not yet graduated
Secondary (high school) diploma or GED
Some secondary school but had not yet graduated
Less than Grade 9
12. What was your relationship to the Adventist Church at the time of your marriage?
Check the answers that best describe the facts at the time.

I was raised an Adventist and was a member in good standing.

I was raised in an Adventist home but was not an active church member.
I had recently become an Adventist.
I joined the Adventist Church within a year of the wedding.
I joined the Adventist Church more than a year after the wedding.
I never did join the church.

13. What was the relationship of your spouse to the Adventist Church at the time of your
marriage? Check the answers that best describe the facts at the time.

Was raised an Adventist and was a member in good standing.

Was raised in an Adventist home but was not an active church member.
Had recently become an Adventist.
Joined the Adventist Church within a year of the wedding.
Joined the Adventist Church more than a year after the wedding.
Never did join the church.
14. During the first year of marriage, did you ...

immediately establish a home of your own.

live with relatives for three months or more.
have another arrangement: _____________________________________
15. How many of the following situations have you experienced?
Check as many as are true for you.

Marriage annulled
Separated by mutual consent
Separated by legal process
Abandoned by spouse
Divorced
Widowed
Spouse institutionalized by mental illness
Spouse institutionalized for criminal behavior
Other: _____________________________________
Yes

No

17. Did you every have sexual intercourse prior to your wedding? Yes

No

18. Did you and your spouse live together prior to being married? Yes

No

16. Did you bear or father a child prior to being married?

19. All other things being equal, who is the chief decision maker in your family?

The husband
The wife Both spouses
By family council, including the children
Other: _______________________________________________
20. Which of the following areas has produced the major source of conflict in your marriage?
Check no more than three items.

Religion
Sex
Money
Jealousy
In-laws
Adultery
Alcohol
Drugs
Disciplining the children
Mental cruelty
Food, care of the home
Refusal to provide financial support
Recreation, hobbies, television, the Internet, etc.
Nagging, continuous faultfinding and complaining
Work or employment of self or spouse

About your marriage, please check the box following each of these statements which
best indicates your agreement or disagreement.
Agree
strongly

Agree
somewhat

I dont
know

Disagree
somewhat

Disagree
strongly

21. My spouse is loyal to our marriage.

22. My spouse is willing to work through
problems.
23. My spouse has a strong religious
commitment.
24. My spouse is warm and affectionate to
me.
25. My spouse often expresses love to me.
26. We talk with each other often.
27. We talk about a wide range of topics.
28. My spouse does not really listen to me.
29. My spouse keeps our communication
channels open.
30. My spouse is often impatient with me.
31. My spouse accepts my differences.
32. My spouse is not very cooperative.
33. My spouse usually understands what I
say.
34. My spouse is not very supportive.
35. My spouse is usually sensitive to my
feelings.
36. My spouse resists changes in our life.
37. My spouse is understanding with me.

38. Do you have any children?

Yes No

If No, then skip to Question 51.

39. Please list the gender and year of birth of each your children:
Gender

Year of Birth

Gender

Year of Birth

40. Were all of these children born to you and your spouse?
If Yes, skip to Question 44.

Yes

No

41. Were any of these children born to you and a previous spouse? Yes

No

42. Were any of these children born to your spouse before you married? Yes No
43. Were any of these children adopted?

Yes No

44. What is your approach toward the discipline of children?

Check the one answer that comes closest to your view.

Strict obedienceenforced by any means necessary

Strict obedience, but no corporal punishment
Mild but consistent discipline
Mild but not always consistent
A mixture of mildness and firmness
We talk with them only
We pray with them only
Uncertaindont really know how to discipline
45. Does your spouse have substantially the same attitude as you?

Yes

No

46. What is your attitude toward the education of children?

Check the one answer that comes closest to your view.

If children get an elementary education, that is enough.

A high school education is a must for all who are able to get it.
A person has to have some college to get along in todays world.
Nothing less than a college education is adequate.
College is not enough, one must have some graduate education.
One has to have a Masters degree to get a decent job today.
All who can should get a doctoral degree.
47. Does your spouse hold basically the same attitude toward education? Yes No

48. What is your opinion about where a child should be educated?

Check the one answer that comes closest to your view.

I intend to educate or have educated my children in Adventist schools.

All Adventist children ought to be educated in Adventist schools.
Some Christian schools are better than some Adventist schools.
Some private schools provide better academic quality than Adventist schools.
Adventist schools are not worth the extra cost, etc.
Public schools available to me are of high quality and fine for my children.

49. Which level of education is most important for children to be in an Adventist school?

Elementary school (Grades K-8)

Secondary school (Grades 9-12)
College or university
All levels are equally important.
None of the above
50. Does your spouse share your views on where to educate children? Yes No
51. Which of the following would cause you the most concern or the greatest amount of
adjustment?

Foreclosure of your mortgage or eviction from your home

Death of your spouse
Unwanted pregnancy
Divorce
Runaway teenager (your child)
Sexual problems and difficulties
A disabling accident that left you or your spouse crippled for life
Discovery that your spouse had been unfaithful to you
52. Please circle the number below that best describes your relationship with Jesus
Christ:
Distant 1 2 3 4 5 Intimate
53. Circle the number that shows the assurance that you have of eternal life:
Not Sure

Very Certain

54. How is religion or spirituality expressed in your home?

Check as many as are true for your home.

The rules of the house are based on Christ's principles.

The Sabbath is observed in our family.
We share Christ with friends and neighbors.
We get involved in Christian service in the community.
We have prayer at most meals.
Religious music and/or singing
Religious pictures or art objects
55. Have you ever spent a period of time not attending church because of issues in your
family relationships or similar relationships (dating, sexuality, etc.)?
If, Yes, please explain a little more about the situation.
Yes No

Please check the box following each of these statements which best indicates your
agreement or disagreement.
Agree
completely

Agree
somewhat

I dont
know

Disagree
somewhat

Disagree
completely

56. Keeping a life-long commitment to

another person is vital, no matter how
painful it becomes.
57. There is a serious trend toward the
breakdown of Adventist families.
58. I am deeply concerned about
maintaining strong families.
59. People who spend their adult lives
single are just as normal as those who
marry.
60. Abusive violence is a big problem
among the families in this church.
61. Emotional abuse is a big problem
among the families in this church.
62. I have a responsibility for others in
their church and neighborhood.
63. I am responsible only for my own
behavior and my own personal
relationship with God.
64. It is ideal for mothers to be full-time
homemakers.
65. Women should be encouraged to
have careers even if they are mothers
of young children.
66. My local church makes single
adults feel right at home, accepted and
valued.

67. How often do you have family worship in your home?

Regularly
Once a week
Once a month
Less than once a month
Never

Does not apply to me.

68. Which of the following are usually involved in your Sabbath activities?
Check as many as are true for you.

Attend church
Children go to Sabbath School
Wear Sabbath clothes
Friday is preparation day
Welcome the Sabbath with sundown worship on Friday
Quiet reading
Singing or Sabbath music
We turn off the radio and television
We listen only to Christian radio and/or television
A nature walk
A Sabbath feast or special meal
Visit friends or the sick, aged or needy
Special Sabbath activities are planned for the children
Get involved in a community service project
Make love with my spouse on Friday night
Others: __________________________________________________
69. How many Adventist families with whom you are personally acquainted have
experienced the breakup of their home during the last three years?
______
70. Have you ever been physically abused by an adult (a scar, black and blue marks,
welts, bleeding, broken bones, etc.)?

Never
Once
Two or three times
Four to ten times
More than ten times
71. Have you ever been sexually abused by an adult?

Yes

If Yes, was it a family member?

Was it a church member?
Was it a teacher or minister or
volunteer in youth or
childrens ministries?

Yes
Yes

No
No

Yes

No

Have you ever told anyone about it?

Yes

No

No

To what extent are the following things problems in your local congregation?
No
problem

Check the appropriate box following each item.

Some
problem

A big
problem

72. Adultery
73. Pre-marital sex
74. A man and woman living together without marriage
75. Abortion
76. Marital conflict
77. Divorce
78. Homosexuality
79. Physical abuse (spouse or child)
80. Emotional or verbal abuse (spouse or child)
81. Sexual abuse or incest

On the topic of how the church relates to divorce, please check the box following
each of these statements which best indicates your agreement or disagreement.
Agree
completely

82. Any church member who gets a

divorce should have his or her
church membership taken away.
83. Only the guilty party should be
disfellowshipped when a church
couple gets a divorce.
84. Any church member who has
ever been divorced should never
serve as an ordained, local elder.
85. My local church is too liberal in
how it deals with divorces by
church member couples.
86. My local church is too harsh in
how it deals with divorces by
church member couples.

Agree
somewhat

I dont
know

Disagree
somewhat

Disagree
completely

87. Does your local church have an active program for family life education?

Yes
No
I am not sure.
88. In your opinion, does your local church do enough to meet the needs of single
adults?

No
I am not sure
It tries to be caring
It has had activities for singles
It has a singles ministry
For each of the following items, indicate how important you feel it is for the local
church to provide these programs or services.
Check the box that shows your opinion
following each item:
89. Premarital counseling or education
90. Marriage strengthening programs
91. Parent education
92. Education regarding sexuality
93. Singles ministry
94. Communication skills seminar
95. Divorce recovery
96. Family conflict management seminar
97. Grief recovery
98. Addiction recovery support groups
99. A referral list of Christian counselors
100. Family counseling center
101. Guidance in moral decision-making
using Bible principles

Absolutely
essential

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

For statistical purposes, please answer these demographic questions:

102. What year were you born?

9999
9999

103. What year was your spouse born?

104. What is your primary ethnic background?

1 African American
5 Caribbean
2 Asian or Pacific Islander
6 Multi-ethnic
3 Hispanic
7 Other
4 White (Not Hispanic)
105. What is your spouses primary ethnic background?
1 African American
5 Caribbean
2 Asian or Pacific Islander
6 Multi-ethnic
3 Hispanic
7 Other
4 White (Not Hispanic)
106. Were you born a citizen of the country you now live in?

1 Yes

2 No

107. Was your spouse born a citizen of the country you now live in? 1 Yes
108. What was the last year of school that you have completed?

1 Less than a high school diploma

3 High school diploma or GED

6 College degree
7 Post college degree

109. What was the last year of school that your spouse has completed?

1 Less than a high school diploma

3 High school diploma or GED

6 College degree
7 Post college degree

110. Please check the category nearest your yearly family income:

1 Under $10,000
2 $10,000-$24,999
3 $25,000-$49,999

4 $50,000-$74,999
5 $75,000-$99,999
6 $100,000 or more

111. What is your gender?

1 Male

112. Have you ever been divorced?

Yes

2 Female
No

If Yes, please fill out the additional questionnaire enclosed.

2 No

Index
Abandonedbyspouse23
Abortion8990
Abuse7174,8588,8990
Adoptedchild39
Adultery5152,6061,8990
AdventistChurch,relationship1820
Adventistschools4850
Age105
Agedifferencebetweenspouses89
Alcohol2829
Annualhouseholdincome113114
Annulment23
Assuranceofeternallife5556
Attitudetowardsingles6768
Birthoutofwedlock2425
Brokenfamilies6264
Causesofstress5152
Children2829,3750,5152,7879
Childrenfrompreviousmarriage39
Christ,relationshipwith5354
Church,problemsin8990
Churchandabuse7174
Churchandsingleadults6970,101102
Churchattendance59,8384
Churchdisciplineanddivorce9198
Churchministries99104
Churchwedding45
Cohabitation2425,8990
Commitment6061
Communication3436
Communitarianism75,77
Communityservice5758
Concernaboutfamilies6266
Conflictinmarriage2829
Conversation3436
Couplesandpower2627
Couplescommunicate3436
Courtship1018
Dealingwithdivorceinchurch9198
Deathofspouse23,5152
Decisionmakinginmarriage2627

Demographics105114
Disability5152
Disciplineofchildren2829,4043
Divorce23,5152,6264,89,9198
Domesticviolence7172,8586
Drugs2829
Economicstatus113114
Educationattimeoffirstmarriage17
Educationcompleted111112
Educationofchildren4450
Egalitarianmarriage2627
Emotionalabuse7374,8990
Employment2829
Eternallife,assuranceof5556
Ethnicity109
Expressionsofreligioninhome5758
Familybreakdown6264
Familyministries99104
Familyproblems7174
Familystrengthening6566
Familyvalues6061,7580
Familyworship8182
Firstmetspouse,location1415
Foreclosure5152
Gender108
Genderroles2627,7880
Generations106107
Home,religionin5758
Homefirstyearofmarriage2122
Homemaking2829
Homosexuality8990
Immigrants110
Income,annualhousehold113114
Introducedtospouse18
Inlaws2829
Individualism7576
Lengthofcourtship1013
Maritalconflict2829,89
Maritalstatus12
Marriage6061
Marriage,negativefactors3233

Marriage,positivefactors3031
Marriedbyapastor67
Marriedinachurch45
Mothersstayathome7879
Money2829,5152
Needsoffamilies7174,8990,103104
Negativesinmarriage3233
Nonsupport2829
Numberoffamilybreakups64
Perceptionsofspouse3033,4243
Positivesinmarriage3031
Prayer5758
Premaritalsex2425,89
Problemsinchurch8990
Problemsinhome7174
Race109
RelationshipwithChrist5354
Religion1820,2829,5359,8184
Roleofwomen7880
Runawayteen5152
Sabbath5758,8384
Salvation,assuranceof5556
Separation23
Sex2425,2829,5152
Sexualabuse8790
Singleadults6770,101102
Singlesministries6970,101102
Socialconcern75,77
Socioeconomicstatus113114
Sourcesofconflictinmarriages2829
Spirituality5358,8384
Spouse,perceptionsof3033,4647,50
Stayathomemoms7879
Stepchild39
Stress5152
Strongfamilies6566
Substanceabuse2829
Talkinginmarriage3436
Trends2,5,7,9,1213,15,1920,22,
25,27,29,31,33,3536,41,43,45,47,
52,54,56,58,61,63,66,68,70,72,74,
7677,7980,82,84,86,88,92,94,96,
98,100,102,104,112,114

Unfaithfulspouse5152
Unwantedpregnancy5152
Values6061,7580
Weddingpresidedoverby67
Wherefirstmetspouse1415
Whomakesdecisionsinfamily2627
Witnessing5758
Women7880
Worship,family8182
Yearoffirstmarriage3