In August/September 7 people answered our questions about using the Internet. Of this group, everyone uses e-mail and 6 of the 7 also buy things, search for information, do social networking and read news online. 5 people do banking and 4 people receive news and use instant messaging. Three people pay their bills electronically.
In June/July 10 people answered our questions about the content of this magazine and the majority gave very positive responses. Six people strongly agreed and four people agreed that the CL content make it clear that this is a Mennonite Brethren publication. Eight people strongly agreed and two people agreed that the magazine helps bring attention to the values of U.S. MBs. The next two questions prompted some negative response. While four people strongly agreed and five people agreed that the content of the CL is varied enough to attract readers of a wide range in ages, one reader disagreed. Six people strongly agreed and three people agred that the CL fulfills its mandate to better connect U.S. MBs, to celebrate the work and character of Jesus and to cultivate readers as Christ's disciples, one reader disagreed.
In April 18 people answered the question: Do you have a page on Facebook or another social networking site? Of this group 14 currently are involved in social networks and four are not.
In March 4 people answered the question: How many times a week do you interact (in a meaningful way) with someone who does not yet know Christ as personal Savior. That's not a lot of people! For what its worth, this survey reveals that two people have regular weekly contact and two people reported contact a couple of times a week.
In February 6 people answered our question: How often do you engage in personal Bible study? Two people said several times a week. Two people said weekly. One person said daily and one person said seldom.
In January 9 people answered our question about personal experience with depression. Five people said they have thought they were depressed but did not seek treatment. Two people responded that they have never considered themselves depressed. One person said he/she has experienced depression and treated it using alternative medicine. One person replied that he/she was diagnosed with depression and followed the prescribed treatment.
In December 8 people answered the question: How much has the national economic downturn affected your family? Five people said "Not much. We haven't really made any changes in budget or lifestyle." Three people said "Some. We have made minor changes in budget or lifestyle." No one answered: "It's been huge! Life has turned upside-down and we're hurting."
In November 8 people answered the question: How often do you converse with a Muslim? Five people said "never" and three answered "occasionally."
In October a record-setting 26 readers answered the question that asked them to describe their view of the emerging church. Readers could select from seven responses. Nine people describe themselves as enthusiastic, five as "positive but with reservations" and one as "interested but concerned." No one describes their view as "cautious" or "concerned but interested." One person describes their view as "apprehensive" and 10 as "strongly opposed."
In September, 9 readers answered the question: The three issues that will most influence how I vote in the 2008 presidential election are.... The economy was listed six times, abortion was listed four times, foreign policy and the war in Iraq were each listed three times, homosexuality, health care and immigration were each listed two times and candidate's religious views, farm policy, party affilication, education and the environment each received one time each.
In August, 3 readers answered the question: If I were a single adult in my church...?
Two readers said nothing specifically is planned for single adults in their church. One readers said he/she would be uncomfortable because of an age difference between him or herself and the people attending single events planned for the congregation.
In July, 14 readers answered the question: Why don't you memorize Scripture?
The top answer was that "I'm not disciplined enough," given by 9 readers. A poor memory was cited by two readers and two readers also said that "memorizing is too hard." One responder said he/she didn't have enough time.