6 October 2022 | St. Albans, UK [Róbert Csizmadia with tedNEWS]
An invitation to respond
The General Conference, Trans-European Division (TED) is inviting all members to complete the Global Church Membership Survey 2022 (GCMS 2022). The findings of the last GCMS survey conducted in 2017, provided valuable insight in giving direction for TED mission and discipleship efforts.
“The 2017-2018 GCMS showed that TED Adventists have really strong biblical basis for their beliefs, in comparison to other territories,” said pastor Róbert Csizmadia, TED Executive Secretary. “It particularly showed how strongly they apply Bible principles to their daily lives, which is especially reassuring.” TED Adventists also have a “strong support for Adventist core teachings such as the trinity, marriage, the state of the dead, and creation, to name a few. There is also a strong and living personal faith at work in our members.”
But the 2017-2018 survey also highlighted areas of concern. “Many members were worried that youth are not fully involved or able to serve enough in church life,” Csizmadia reflected. “In response to this concern, two studies were conducted, and the results published: The Beliefs and Practices of Adventist Adolescents, and The Beliefs and Practices of Adventist Young Adults. This illustrates how data provided by the survey is used to guide the church where it is most vitally needed: to help us understand and serve the younger generation.”
The survey also shed light on the dissatisfaction felt by some members with their local church or the qualification of their pastors. “While there may be many reasons for this, since the 2017-2018 survey, the TED has made bold steps in reconstructing pastoral education,” said Csizmadia. “The TED has spearheaded efforts towards making the local church need and service oriented, with the hope of creating living and vibrant churches whose positive influence reaches not only the members but also their community.”
Why should I participate?
A survey is a snapshot, or an X-ray of the present reality that is only valid for a certain length of time. And just as we want to find and preach ‘present truth’ in every age, we also want to be able to see the ‘present reality’. The GCMS is an important tool in helping us capture this reality, and in response, develop relevant actions that will make us a better community and a better witness for Jesus.
How long does the survey take to complete?
The survey takes around 45 minutes to complete.
Please click here to take the survey.
When is the deadline?
The deadline for completion is 31 October 2022.
“We appreciate and value your response and have shared already how important it is to directing mission. To each who responds, I wish we could send a bouquet of flowers as thanks. Impractical as this is, we say ‘thank you’ through these beautiful flowers and trust they inspire.”
