"Why should I care about whether Living Water Unity thrives or dies (apart from the personal connection offered with the many present and potential friends I have established here)?" Closely related to that question is, "How can I help this ministry thrive?"
A demographic study was made for our present location to understand our “market” more completely. The study was based on the 2000 US Census data (and updated in 2008 with estimates by the Census Bureau of changes to the data). Coupled with two rules of thumb used in the church growth consulting community and several other national surveys, we compiled the estimates of the potential audience of our ministry. The analysis is available for anyone with MS Excel or Open Office and an email address. Contact the church office for a copy (livingwaterunity@comcast.net).
Several national surveys conducted over the last 15 years have estimated the theological and religious opinions held by the US population. In one survey conducted by CNN and USA Today about 10 years ago (and substantiated in other surveys), about 40% of the adult population of the US say they they are a member of a church community (the survey stipulated attendance of at least once a month to be considered “a member” – no other commitment of affiliation was required). Of the population, more than 90% stated that their world-view included a “higher power” (no name of the Divine was specified). Where do the unaffiliated “50%ers” receive their inspiration to explore their relationship with that Divine Presence which is part of their world-view?
As we look at the contrast between new thought theology (as taught by Unity, Religious Science, Divine Science, Johnnie Colemon Ministries, etc) and mainstream/evangelical Christian theology, one salient difference that new thought students likely agree upon is that a theology of empowerment is taught in new thought communities and a theology of dependence is taught in mainstream and evangelical churches. That is, on the one hand, “I have the power and responsibility to be in the awareness of the presence of Divinity all the time” (empowerment theology). On the other hand, 1) “Jesus must have interceded for me because I couldn’t redeem myself” and 2) “because I am naturally a sinner, the ‘grace of God’ is all that’s keeping me from eternal damnation” (dependence theology). The reality of this difference is not important – it is the perception of the reality of this difference that is critical to those considering affiliation with any given ministry. Why are the “50%ers” unaffiliated with a church? Obviously, there are lots of reasons, but one significant reason could be that they find the dependence theology does not work for them. THOSE people could find the empowerment theology of new thought to be an effective way to explore their relationship with the divine AND more effectively construct their lives.
How many of the “50%ers” are there in our market area? The market area is defined by two rules of thumb mentioned above: 1) a person will typically travel no more than 5 miles to try out a new church, 2) a person presently affiliated with a church (or ‘denomination’ such as Unity) will typically not travel more than 20 minutes to attend if the church moves or if they move. The following map shows the 5 mile service area associated with each closest Unity church (Columbine Unity, Unity Temple, Mountain Light Unity and High Country Unity), the approximate 20 minute commute range and the line marking the area within which the residents are closer to Living Water than to other Unity communities. This megaphone shaped area represents our marketplace. Obviously, the “shadow” of Mile High Church of Religious Science affects this demographic study, and because of its extensive programs will draw congregants from a greater distance. But as we have recently seen, its size can also be a deterrent for some potential congregants.
Nonetheless, for purposes of this study, we can use the census data to estimate the number of people within our five mile service area (red circle above) or closer to our church than other Unity churches (green lines above) AND within the 20 minute commute (blue circle above).
The total number of families in the five mile service area and 20 minute commute (and outside the 5 mile service area) are 63,000+ and 131,000+, respectively. The total population is 195,000+ and 400,000+. How many “50%ers” are in the five mile area? 32,500 families and 97,500 people. Within a 20 minute commute beyond the 5 mile service area? 65,000 families and 200,000 people. This is a huge potential audience for our uniquely located ministry!
Back to the original question: why should we invest our efforts in continuing this community? Because we have an extraordinary opportunity to make our teachings available to a significant number of people that will find our theology useful and fulfilling. This was our founding minister’s motivation to get into ministry in the first place – and it could be your motivation to help this ministry thrive. Our ministry’s challenge, of course, is to “get the word out.”
Charles Arn, of the consulting firm Church Growth, Inc., states that within growing churches, over 70% of the congregants that have been in the church for more than one year were invited by a friend. Further, the typical member of a growing church met at least 7 new friends in the church.
Two keys to a thriving ministry are: 1) congregants make a habit of inviting friends that are unaffiliated with another church or find their other church unfulfilling, and 2) the church have programs in place that allow people to meet new friends.
How can you help Living Water Unity thrive? Perhaps these two words will inspire you: invite your friends and participate in its programs. Simply put: help others make new friends at Living Water Unity.
