The Lutheran Witness > Polls
NOVEMBER
2009
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Polls
Do you plan to read the final report of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance? (http://www.lcms.org/?15930)

46: Yes. I am very interested in the task force's recommendations
3: 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