Response to an Integral Mission Survey @ Micah-thon 2021

I was invited to respond to the results of an "Intergral Mission Survey" by Micah Singapore. I wrote about how these results reflected possible perceptions of individuals towards churches as being educators and advocates especially on the topic of integral mission.

"The Micah-thon survey’s questions and results reveal practices and attitudes towards the proclamation and demonstration of integral missions on these three key fronts: as an individual, as church, and as society. In this brief reflection, I will focus on a key theme that stood out from the survey results: The perception of the individual towards churches as educators and advocates on their behalf, especially on matters of societal issues.

A significant number of respondents (86.8%) would like the church to be advocates, speaking up on matters of societal issues, including creation care (82.0%). More than half (60.1%) have been inspired to live generously by example of people in church, and slightly less than half have had the opportunity to serve the poor in their community through church (47.8%).

However, there seems to be an uncertainty among respondents towards where their churches may stand on societal issues. The experience by individuals on a more long-term and in-depth actions (contra. exposure trips or one off volunteerism) by their churches is comparatively low, as less than 30% have experienced their church actively educating and advocating the needs of the poor and marginalised. Furthermore, although almost 70% say that their church is making a difference on issues of poverty and justice, it is noteworthy that only 15% are “definitely” sure.

It is therefore striking to see that while an overwhelming majority of respondents carry the perception that churches ought to highly concerned about societal issues, for many, it may seem as though their churches are not doing as much in these areas. This could be exacerbated by the perceived lack of clear education and active advocacy by their churches."

Read more here.