The Lutheran Witness > Polls
NOVEMBER
2009
PAST ISSUES
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Polls
It’s that time of year again. Reformation and All Saints’ are barely past and Christmas decorations and music already permeate stores and shopping centers, If you had your way, stores would not begin the Christmas season until

3: Veterans Day is past;
26: the Friday after Thanksgiving;
7: the Feast of St. Nicholas (Dec. 6);
18: Christmas is never about shopping and gifts.
Do you plan to read the final report of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance? (http://www.lcms.org/?15930)

47: Yes. I am very interested in the task force's recommendations
4: No. I don't plan to read the report.
Which team is your pick to be the ultimate World Series winner?

1: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - American League
0: Los Angeles Dodgers - National League
5: New York Yankees - American League
12: Philadelphia Phillies - National League
There continues to be much debate today about health care and health-care reform. How do you feel about your health-care arrangements and the state of the health-care industry in this country?

3: I am satisfied and see no need for a health-care makeover.
9: I am satisfied but I believe our health-care system could be improved.
6: I am worried and believe we need to reconsider how we provide health care in this nation.
12: I am worried but concerned also about a government “takeover” of the health-care industry.
17: Government should keep its hands off my health care and the health-care industry.
3: Government should play an important role in our health-care industry.
10: Our health-care industry is fine. We simply need to cut waste and fraud.
Do you ever witness to the Gospel of Christ to a person outside your comfort zone?

12: Yes, I am completely at ease about this and witness to others every chance I get.
28: Yes, I do this on occasion.
15: No, it makes me too nervous, but I’ll keep trying.
4: No, I can’t picture myself doing this except with someone I intimately know.
Generally speaking, and realizing it's impossible to know right now what the final product might look like, are you in favor of the Obama health-care plan or against it?

21: Yes, I am in favor of it.
110: No, I am opposed to it.
7: I am not sure yet.
Do you "tweet" on Twitter, participate in Facebook, or engage in any other form of online social networking?

49: Yes, I love this stuff.
35: No, I have no use for it.
12: No, but I'm kind of curious about it.
Who's going to win the Major League Baseball All-Star Game July 14th at Busch Stadium in St. Louis?

8: The National League.
7: The American League.
6: Don't know. Don't care.
With the energy bill in Congress making headlines, it's timely to ask, Where do you stand on global warming?

3: I think it's entirely true.
13: It's a concern, but overstated.
19: I don't buy it at all.
Have you ever served as a volunteer at your congregation's Vacation Bible School?

49: Yes.
7: No.
5: No, but I hope to one day.
This year, will you pick your vacation spot based on:

10: Family get-togethers (graduations, reunions, marriages, etc.)
6: Location, location, location! (faraway islands, snow-capped mountains, rain forests, etc.)
3: Outdoor activities (hiking, biking, boating, fishing, etc.)
3: Popular tourist attractions (popular theme parks, popular museums, science and the arts)
11: I'm not taking a vacation this year
Do you typically fly an American flag at your home, particularly on national holidays?

39: Yes.
8: No.
There is a lot of talk about the benefits of home gardening today. Will you plant a vegetable garden this year?

33: Yes.
10: No, I don't like gardening.
7: I'd like to but don't have time.
10: I'd like to but don't have room.
2: I'd like to but don't know how to garden.
Baseball season is here. Will you be attending a professional game this year, either Major League or minor?

26: You bet!
21: No.
5: I'd like to, but there's no practical way for me to go.
Who's going to win the men's NCAA basketball tournament?

5: Connecticut
10: Michigan State
12: North Carolina
2: Villanova
15: I don't care
A new daily devotional, provided by Lutheran Hour Ministries, recently was introduced on the Synod's home page. Do you ever read the daily devotional on LCMS.org?

17: Yes.
9: No.
8: No, but I may start.
Certain Christian traditions have encouraged the practice of giving something up for Lent. Are you giving up anything these next several weeks?

61: No.
14: Yes, a favorite food.
11: Yes, an unhealthy habit.
4: Yes, a favorite pastime.
6: Yes, something other than listed above.
So far, to me, this winter has been . . .

11: A perfect delight!
8: Quite tolerable, thank you.
14: Bearable, but a nuisance at times.
35: Enough already! Bring on Spring!
Does your congregation have an immigrant ministry?

0: Yes.
13: No.
1: We are developing one.
Who do you think will win Super Bowl XLIII?

32: Arizona Cardinals
19: Pittsburgh Steelers
21: I don't care who wins.
In terms of the economy and life in general in the United States, I think 2009 will be . . .

41: Better than 2008.
27: About the same as 2008.
47: Worse than 2008.
This Christmas season, when it comes to buying presents, I (or my family) will be spending

67: Less money than last year.
5: More money than last year.
23: About the same as usual.
How many mid-week services do you think you'll attend this Advent season?

8: None
5: One
6: Two
34: All three
How many people will be at your Thanksgiving table?

7: One.
19: Two to four.
29: Five to eight.
22: Nine to 12.
10: 13 to 16.
13: We're having a very large gathering.
How do you deal with the leaves in your yard?

20: I rake them.
4: I use one of those leaf blowers.
13: I bag them up with my lawn mower.
24: I just let them lie there.
How do your kids participate in Halloween?

33: They go trick-or-treating in our neighborhood.
9: We take them to a school-, church-, or community-sponsored event.
8: We don't believe in participating in any activity related to Halloween.
Are you getting a flu shot this year?

41: Yes
29: No
1: If it's free, yes; if it costs, no.
Is your mind made up on how you will vote for U.S. President?

53: Yes
5: No
In light of all the recent financial crises on Wall Street and elsewhere, I am:

5: Beside myself with worry.
37: Very concerned.
40: Somewhat concerned.
22: Not fazed at all.
Are you excited about the start of the new National Football League season?

45: Yes.
53: No.
14: Maybe a little.
Now that the Games of the XXIX Olympiad are over, are you experiencing Olympic TV-viewing withdrawal?

12: Yes.
17: No, I'm glad it's over.
6: No, I didn't watch any Olympic TV coverage.
Would you be willing to suggest future poll questions for this site? (If "yes," please send ideas to lutheran.witness@lcms.org)

3: Yes
3: No
The Summer Olympics are upon us. Which will be your favorite sport to watch?

7: Track and field.
11: Swimming.
14: Gymnastics.
4: Basketball.
1: Opening and closing ceremonies.
9: Other
13: I don't plan to watch the Olympics.
Would your congregation use electronically downloadable bulletin inserts in its weekly worship bulletin or folder?

10: Yes, we do already.
16: Yes, we would consider it.
6: No.
20: Perhaps...it depends.
What are you planning to barbecue for the 4th of July?

6: Hamburgers
2: Hot Dogs
9: Brats
5: Chicken
2: Steak
2: Pork Steak
13: A combination of the above
19: I don't plan on barbecuing
At what point in the price of gasoline will you radically alter your transportation arrangements?

6: $4.50
11: $5.00
6: $6.00
12: $7.00 or higher
82: The price already has altered my habits
With gasoline prices at record highs, my budget is feeling:

36: Seriously crunched
42: Somewhat crunched
5: Not affected at all
Have you seen, or are you planning to see, the movie "Expelled"? (to read our movie commentary, click here.

48: Yes
21: No
Does your congregation operate a food pantry or clothing bank or both?

36: Yes
23: No
Do you know of any youth in your congregation considering professional church work?

20: Yes
31: No
Do you more often than not attend midweek worship during the Lenten season?

202: Yes
55: No
How many baptized members does your congregation have?

21: Less than 100
33: 100-299
23: 300-499
51: 500+
Who's going to win the Super Bowl?

11: New York Giants
28: New England Patriots
Do you want to see the New England Patriots achieve a perfect season by going undefeated all the way through the Super Bowl?

38: Yes
56: No
42: Don't Care
Have you used the services of the Church Information Center at 888.843.5267 (888-THE-LCMS) or infocenter@lcms.org?

20: Yes, by e-mail.
4: Yes, by phone.
8: Yes, by phone and e-mail.
10: No, I've never needed the service.
50: No, I didn't know about the service.
Does your congregation have any active-duty military personnel or chaplains in the field?

50: Yes.
13: No.
2: No, but we have at least one reservist who could be called to active duty.
Does your congregation offer English as a Second Language classes?

3: Yes
15: No
Does your congregation have a Parish Nurse?

5: Yes.
6: Yes. In fact, we have more than one.
49: No.
9: No, but we'd like to have one.
Does your congregation still offer the common cup for Holy Communion, or do you use only individual cups?

11: We offer a common cup.
49: We offer individual cups.
188: We offer both.
Who will win the World Series?

2: Arizona Diamondbacks
10: Colorado Rockies
7: Boston Red Sox
8: Cleveland Indians
14: Don't know, don't care
Do you think "The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod" is still the best name for our church body, or do you think we should consider a different name?

99: Keep the name the way it is.
67: Let's consider a different one
How long has your pastor been at your church?

93: Less than 5 years
81: 5 - 10 years
76: 10 - 20 years
47: 20+ years
Are you ready for summer to end?

64: Yes, I'm eager to get busy on a host of autumn activities.
50: No, I wish summer could linger a good while longer.
Are you noticing a dramatic drop-off in your congregation's summertime church attendance?

85: Yes
15: No
32: Somewhat, but not bad
Have you seen President Bush's video greeting to the LCMS convention in Houston?

20: Yes
28: No
22: No, but I intend to by going to www.lcms.org/?12076
Are you planning to view any of the LCMS convention, July 14-19 in Houston, via video stream at www.lcms.org/convention?

63: Yes
11: No
Is it your custom to make the sign of the cross at appropriate times in the worship service?

82: Yes
67: No
18: Sometimes
Do you watch videos on the Internet?

73: Yes
42: No
Does your congregation support an international missionary (www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=4239)?

8: Yes
2: No
Are any of the youth in your congregation attending the 2007 LCMS National Youth Gathering in Orlando?

24: Yes
12: No
Do you subscribe to one or more of the 30 e-newsletters available from the Synod's national office (http://www.lcms.org/enews)?

37: Yes
12: No
Do you have and iPod or other portable MP3 player?

40: Yes
19: No, but I want one
28: No, I don't want one
Do you normally access the Internet using a dial-up connection or a dedicated high-speed connection (DSL, cable, network or satellite)?

3: Dial-up
54: High-speed
If you haven't already, might you be prone to listen by 'audio stream' to the Synod's KFUO-AM (www.kfuo.org) or KFUO-FM (www.classic99.com)?

88: Yes
4: No
Which hymnal is your congregation currently using?

73: Lutheran Service Book
25: Lutheran Worship
27: The Lutheran Hymnal
15: Other/None
What information do you enjoy most?

1: Lifeline
1: Letters To the Editor
0: From The President
0: Feature Story