blue print to take over ?? Update

[Ed Pettibone]

Ed; Honestly I am afraid I am too late to do anything about this. But I need to sound off.

Last Thursday a letter containing a survey form arrived with a letter on Judson Press Letterhead. The letter tells us that participation by our church is essential "to produce an accurate survey." It also says "In order to understand how churches are meeting the needs of people within our denomination, input from your church is needed"

My first thought was if they do not have a rather good idea of the need of the churches after 185 years it is probably too late.

In another paragraph it says "The information from this questionnaire will help us develop resources to meet the needs of Churches." But here is what has my ire up. Hold on! "LifeWay Research has been enlisted to conduct this survey. If you have any questions as yoo complete this survey, you may contact Daniel Price at Lifeway Research (615-251-5002)

The the boiler plate "Please be assured that your participation in this project is anonymous and individual responses are completely confidential." Keep in mind we got this letter on Feb 29th, they wanted the survey mailed by YEP1 Feb 29th. The letter was singed by Laura Alden (no title given) At the bottom is a tear off offering a $15,00 discount on your next order from Judson Press and as with the other parts of the letter the offer is repeated in Spanish.

What did they say about anonymity? Also Also Item 84. From the following list. which best describes your employment (check One)
___ Full-time earning income only from your church with no other ministerial employment

___ Part-time earning part-time income from your church with no other ministerial employment

____ Bi -Vocational-Earning income from your church and from other non non-ministerial employment

____ Volunteer--earning no income from your church

_____ Not sure


85. What is your pastors age? _____ Pastor's age

86. Would you be willing to receive survey invitations to further surveys at you e-mail address

==== No ==== Yes (Email___________________)

Please mail in the envelop provided , or Mail to LifeWay
LifeWay Research, One LifeWay Plaza , MSN, 127 Nashville TN 37203


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They also give you the option to complete the survey on line at http://www.lifewayresearch.com/discipleship


They did provide a postage paid envelope for the paper form

Also here are the first thee questions fro that survey; Thank you for your participation in this important research study . Your input will help your denomination’s publisher better serve churches by providing a current understanding of churches today. This survey is completely confidential. Only one survey should be completed per church.

1. In what year was your church established? (If you are not sure, please give your best estimate.)

Year Established

2. In what state/province is your church located?

State/Province

3. Which of the following best represents where your church is located? (Check One)
Within a large city (100,000 or more) In or near a small city (less than 100,000)
In suburbs of a large city (100,000 or more) In a rural area
Not sure

Ed: To me It sound like they are asking for takeover blue print.

The update is below in a reply to Haruo about the reply from Judson Press.

[Neil Heath]

Sounds to me like they could probably identify the church with a little more info. And with what you posted they could narrow it down quite a bit. Even more if done online and sources are noted. So much for anonymity...

[Haruo]

Have you contacted Judson Press with your concerns, Ed? It sounds like maybe there's some naiveté over there. I do not think LifeWay is who I would turn to for such research if I were Valley Forge.

[Haruo]

I've linked to this thread on the Evergreen Facebook group page, to see if anyone locally has received this survey and if so what they make of it.

[Haruo]

Cathy Kernen at Grace Baptist of Tacoma (where my dad pastored in the late 1940s) replied, "The staff at Judson Press can answer your concerns about the connections. They replied to my email and phone call." So again, Ed, have you contacted Judson?

[TrudyU]

[Ed Pettibone]