Know Thy Consumer: CTI and Zondervan Christian Segmentation Study ECPA Executive Leadership Summit Dallas, Texas May 6, 2008 © 2006 Knowledge Networks, Inc. Research Sponsored By:
All say they are Christians Everyone says they’re a Christian but what does that mean?
What are the  different groups or segments  within the Christian population? Who are the members  of these subgroups? (size of each group, demographics, attitudes, beliefs, practices, expressions of faith, etc.) Can these subgroups be more effectively identified by a composite of their  beliefs and practices , rather than the traditional definitions of denomination or agreement with theological statements? What are the Christian  media and purchase habits  of each subgroup, and how can they best be reached? Research Objectives
Research conducted by Knowledge Networks, using their online KnowledgePanel ™ KN asks panelist to regularly complete profile surveys about topics such as media usage, general social attitudes, etc.  One standard questions is “What is your religion?”  74% self-identify as some type of Christian Sample Size: 1,017 Self-Identified Christian Adults, 18+ Timing: Fielded September 2006 Research Methodology
Latent Class Segmentation allows integration of  multiple dimensions  for a comprehensive perspective Segments are based on a combination of input including  experiences, behaviors, attitudes  and other variables that are important in understanding American Christians Needs Behavior Usage of Christian  Media Practices and Expressions Involvement   Segments Attitudes Beliefs,  Descriptors Latent Class Segmentation Where? When? Who? What? Why?
Methodology: birds of a feather flock together
Questionnaire Outline Media Habits Usage of any media Usage of Christian media Participation in Christian activities Sources of information about faith,  religion, and spirituality Awareness and Usage Awareness of and involvement with* Christian publishing companies and book titles Christian magazines Christian websites Behaviors – Church Involvement Activities to help grow spiritually Church attendance  Denomination or affiliation of the  church attended most often Description of personal theological or  doctrinal perspective (from aided list) Participation outside of worship, including leadership roles Bible usage – number in home, purchased past 12 months,  readership outside of church, translation Faith Background Prayer practices Definition of being a Christian Belief Statements Agreement of five-point scale Preference Exercise Practice Statements Agreement of five-point scale Preference Exercise Lifestyle Questions Sharing ideas on religion, faith, or spirituality with others Life events experienced and their impact Issues that cause stress or concern and their impact *Secular titles included as benchmarks
Segmentation Overview Key variables that define and differentiate the segments Church attendance Prayer outside of worship Bible usage outside of worship Sharing information about the faith Total involvement in spiritual activities Church leadership positions Participation beyond worship Use of Christian media What makes you a Christian Belief Statements Only those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in this life will enter heaven Faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation Salvation is by the grace of God, on the basis of Jesus’ death and resurrection Jesus was the son of Mary and the Son of God, fully human and fully divine There are many paths by which to enter heaven Practice Statements Regular Bible reading and prayer are important disciplines for all Christians God is a loving creator more than a punishing judge A person cannot be a true Christian by simply believing in God, but must also follow Jesus’ teachings Evolution is a superior theory to creationism The Pope of Rome is God’s appointed leader of the Church The Bible contains valuable lessons but it is not without error The teachings of Jesus are just one approach to God
Segmentation Overview Active Christians (19%) (High Belief, High Church Involvement) Professing Christians (20%)   (High Belief, Moderate Church Involvement) Liturgical Christians (16%)   (Predominantly Catholic, Active Church Involvement) Private Christians (24%)   (Personally Spiritual, Low Church Involvement) Cultural Christians (21%)   (Secularly Oriented, Low Church Involvement) The analysis yielded five discrete groups within the Christian population
Segmentation Overview Segment sizes projected to total population including non (self-identified) Christians * 2001 American Religious Identification Survey (N=50,281) 13% None 8% Other Non-Christian 1% Mormon 1% Jewish <1% Muslim <1% Buddhist <1% Hindu
Start at 30,000 foot view Start at 30,000 foot view What Makes You a Christian?
What Makes You a Christian? - By Segment - - Total Christians - Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
What Makes You a Christian? - By Segment - - Total Christians - Being Born Again Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
What Makes You a Christian? - By Segment - - Total Christians - Believing in God Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
What Makes You a Christian? - By Segment - - Total Christians - Doing good things Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
What Makes You a Christian? - By Segment - - Total Christians - Being raised as a Christian Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
 
 
5,000 foot view Beliefs
Agreement – Belief Statements (% Strongly Agree) - By Segment - - Total Christians - Salvation is by the grace of God, on the basis of Jesus' death and resurrection Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
Agreement – Belief Statements (% Strongly Agree) - By Segment - - Total Christians - Only those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in this life will enter heaven Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
Agreement – Belief Statements (% Strongly Agree) - By Segment - - Total Christians - There are many paths by which to enter heaven Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
Agreement – Belief Statements  Faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation Salvation is by the grace of God, on the basis of Jesus' death and resurrection Jesus was the son of Mary and the Son of God, fully human and fully divine The Bible is the authoritative guide for faith and Christian living After He died, Jesus was resurrected bodily The entire Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit To become a Christian, a person must be born again Only those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in this life will enter heaven The teachings of Jesus are just one approach to God The things I do (prayer, read the Bible, help others) help get me into heaven All people will be reconciled with God, going to heaven after death There are many paths by which to enter heaven The Bible contains valuable lessons but it is not without error There is not a literal hell Jesus was a good teacher and a good example but he was not divine =  Significantly higher than total at the 95% confidence level =  Significantly lower than total at the 95% confidence level Percent within Segment Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
On The Ground Behavior – Where the rubber meets the road!
Church Attendance (at least monthly) Attend Church At Least Once a Month - By Segment - Attend Church At Least Once a Month - Total Christians - Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
Participation at Church Beyond Worship Participation at Church Beyond Worship - By Segment - Participation at Church Beyond Worship - Total Christians - Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
Church Leadership Positions  Church Leadership Positions - By Segment - Church Leadership Positions - Total Christians - Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
Reading the Bible Outside of Worship Bible Usage Outside of Worship - By Segment - Bible Usage Outside of Worship - Total Christians - Mean Times per Week Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians 0.5 0.4 1.5 1.6 3.4
Bible Purchasing Bible Purchasing - By Segment - Bible Purchasing - Total Christians - Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
Read Christian Books: 1 hr or more per week Read Christian Books: 1 hr or more per week - By Segment - Read Christian Books: 1 hr or more per week - Total Christians - Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
Usage of Christian Media Usa g e  of Christian Media - By Segment - Usage of Christian Media - Total Christians - Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
Listen Christian Radio: 1 hr or more per week Listen Christian Radio: 1 hr  or more per week - By Segment - Listen Christian Radio: 1 hr  or more per week - Total Christians - Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
Listen Christian CDs/Tapes/MP3/Downloads:  1 hr or more per week Listen Christian CDs/Tapes/MP3/Downloads: 1 hr or more per week - By Segment - Listen Christian CDs/Tapes/MP3/Downloads: 1 hr or more per week - Total Christians - Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
Read Christian Magazines/Newsletters:  1 hr or more per week Read Christian Magazines/Newsletters: 1 hr or more per week - By Segment - Read Christian Magazines/Newsletters: 1 hr or more per week - Total Christians - Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
Spiritual Growth Activities Read the Bible Read other inspirational materials Attend worship services Meet with a group of your peers to discuss faith Share your faith with others Read materials other than sacred writings Visit religious websites Watch religious TV or listen to religious radio programs Meditate Do some other form of exercise other than yoga Spend time outdoors Spend time with family =  Significantly higher than total at the 95% confidence level =  Significantly lower than total at the 95% confidence level Percent within Segment Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
Spiritual Growth Activities Spend time with friends Spend time alone Meet with clergy/pastor/priest Fast Listen to/play music Donate your money to church or charity Donate your time to church or charity Pray to God Pray with others Receive communion Serve at church Serve in the community Continued Percent within Segment =  Significantly higher than total at the 95% confidence level =  Significantly lower than total at the 95% confidence level Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
Involvement in Spiritual Activities I n v o l v e m e n t   i n   Spiritual Activities - By Segment - Involvement in Spiritual Activities - Total Christians - = 1-10 ACTIVITIES = 11+  ACTIVITIES = NO ACTIVITIES Cultural Christians Inner  Christians Catholic  Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
Denomination By Segment  Among Those Who Attend Church Baptist (any type) Catholic/Roman Catholic
Denomination By Segment  Among Those Who Attend Church Methodist (any type) Lutheran (any type)
Political Affiliation by Segment Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical  Christians Professing Christians Active Christians Political Affiliation - By Segment - Political Affiliation - Total Christians - = REPUBLICAN = INDEPENDENT/ UNDECIDED/OTHER = DEMOCRAT
Christian Segments: Comparison Knowledge Networks  National Study Bowker PubTrack Panel
Christian Segments: NationalChristianPoll.com CTI’s NationalChristianPoll.com* * 4,400 current panel size
 
Read Christian Books: 1 hr or more per week Read Christian Books: 1 hr or more per week - By Segment - Read Christian Books: 1 hr or more per week - Total Christians - Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
If Active Christians are the primary book and Bible buyers, how can we most effectively reach them? What unmet needs do Active Christians have for other media products besides books and Bibles? Professing Christians are a logical market, but low in Christian book and media usage.  Are there any products or services that could activate this latent market?  How can Evangelical publishers tap into the sizable and active Catholic and Liturgical Christian segment? Know Thy Consumer – Strategic Questions
 
 

Keith Stonehocker

  • 1.
    Know Thy Consumer:CTI and Zondervan Christian Segmentation Study ECPA Executive Leadership Summit Dallas, Texas May 6, 2008 © 2006 Knowledge Networks, Inc. Research Sponsored By:
  • 2.
    All say theyare Christians Everyone says they’re a Christian but what does that mean?
  • 3.
    What are the different groups or segments within the Christian population? Who are the members of these subgroups? (size of each group, demographics, attitudes, beliefs, practices, expressions of faith, etc.) Can these subgroups be more effectively identified by a composite of their beliefs and practices , rather than the traditional definitions of denomination or agreement with theological statements? What are the Christian media and purchase habits of each subgroup, and how can they best be reached? Research Objectives
  • 4.
    Research conducted byKnowledge Networks, using their online KnowledgePanel ™ KN asks panelist to regularly complete profile surveys about topics such as media usage, general social attitudes, etc. One standard questions is “What is your religion?” 74% self-identify as some type of Christian Sample Size: 1,017 Self-Identified Christian Adults, 18+ Timing: Fielded September 2006 Research Methodology
  • 5.
    Latent Class Segmentationallows integration of multiple dimensions for a comprehensive perspective Segments are based on a combination of input including experiences, behaviors, attitudes and other variables that are important in understanding American Christians Needs Behavior Usage of Christian Media Practices and Expressions Involvement Segments Attitudes Beliefs, Descriptors Latent Class Segmentation Where? When? Who? What? Why?
  • 6.
    Methodology: birds ofa feather flock together
  • 7.
    Questionnaire Outline MediaHabits Usage of any media Usage of Christian media Participation in Christian activities Sources of information about faith, religion, and spirituality Awareness and Usage Awareness of and involvement with* Christian publishing companies and book titles Christian magazines Christian websites Behaviors – Church Involvement Activities to help grow spiritually Church attendance Denomination or affiliation of the church attended most often Description of personal theological or doctrinal perspective (from aided list) Participation outside of worship, including leadership roles Bible usage – number in home, purchased past 12 months, readership outside of church, translation Faith Background Prayer practices Definition of being a Christian Belief Statements Agreement of five-point scale Preference Exercise Practice Statements Agreement of five-point scale Preference Exercise Lifestyle Questions Sharing ideas on religion, faith, or spirituality with others Life events experienced and their impact Issues that cause stress or concern and their impact *Secular titles included as benchmarks
  • 8.
    Segmentation Overview Keyvariables that define and differentiate the segments Church attendance Prayer outside of worship Bible usage outside of worship Sharing information about the faith Total involvement in spiritual activities Church leadership positions Participation beyond worship Use of Christian media What makes you a Christian Belief Statements Only those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in this life will enter heaven Faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation Salvation is by the grace of God, on the basis of Jesus’ death and resurrection Jesus was the son of Mary and the Son of God, fully human and fully divine There are many paths by which to enter heaven Practice Statements Regular Bible reading and prayer are important disciplines for all Christians God is a loving creator more than a punishing judge A person cannot be a true Christian by simply believing in God, but must also follow Jesus’ teachings Evolution is a superior theory to creationism The Pope of Rome is God’s appointed leader of the Church The Bible contains valuable lessons but it is not without error The teachings of Jesus are just one approach to God
  • 9.
    Segmentation Overview ActiveChristians (19%) (High Belief, High Church Involvement) Professing Christians (20%) (High Belief, Moderate Church Involvement) Liturgical Christians (16%) (Predominantly Catholic, Active Church Involvement) Private Christians (24%) (Personally Spiritual, Low Church Involvement) Cultural Christians (21%) (Secularly Oriented, Low Church Involvement) The analysis yielded five discrete groups within the Christian population
  • 10.
    Segmentation Overview Segmentsizes projected to total population including non (self-identified) Christians * 2001 American Religious Identification Survey (N=50,281) 13% None 8% Other Non-Christian 1% Mormon 1% Jewish <1% Muslim <1% Buddhist <1% Hindu
  • 11.
    Start at 30,000foot view Start at 30,000 foot view What Makes You a Christian?
  • 12.
    What Makes Youa Christian? - By Segment - - Total Christians - Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
  • 13.
    What Makes Youa Christian? - By Segment - - Total Christians - Being Born Again Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
  • 14.
    What Makes Youa Christian? - By Segment - - Total Christians - Believing in God Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
  • 15.
    What Makes Youa Christian? - By Segment - - Total Christians - Doing good things Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
  • 16.
    What Makes Youa Christian? - By Segment - - Total Christians - Being raised as a Christian Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
  • 17.
  • 18.
  • 19.
  • 20.
    Agreement – BeliefStatements (% Strongly Agree) - By Segment - - Total Christians - Salvation is by the grace of God, on the basis of Jesus' death and resurrection Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
  • 21.
    Agreement – BeliefStatements (% Strongly Agree) - By Segment - - Total Christians - Only those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in this life will enter heaven Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
  • 22.
    Agreement – BeliefStatements (% Strongly Agree) - By Segment - - Total Christians - There are many paths by which to enter heaven Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
  • 23.
    Agreement – BeliefStatements Faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation Salvation is by the grace of God, on the basis of Jesus' death and resurrection Jesus was the son of Mary and the Son of God, fully human and fully divine The Bible is the authoritative guide for faith and Christian living After He died, Jesus was resurrected bodily The entire Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit To become a Christian, a person must be born again Only those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in this life will enter heaven The teachings of Jesus are just one approach to God The things I do (prayer, read the Bible, help others) help get me into heaven All people will be reconciled with God, going to heaven after death There are many paths by which to enter heaven The Bible contains valuable lessons but it is not without error There is not a literal hell Jesus was a good teacher and a good example but he was not divine = Significantly higher than total at the 95% confidence level = Significantly lower than total at the 95% confidence level Percent within Segment Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
  • 24.
    On The GroundBehavior – Where the rubber meets the road!
  • 25.
    Church Attendance (atleast monthly) Attend Church At Least Once a Month - By Segment - Attend Church At Least Once a Month - Total Christians - Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
  • 26.
    Participation at ChurchBeyond Worship Participation at Church Beyond Worship - By Segment - Participation at Church Beyond Worship - Total Christians - Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
  • 27.
    Church Leadership Positions Church Leadership Positions - By Segment - Church Leadership Positions - Total Christians - Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
  • 28.
    Reading the BibleOutside of Worship Bible Usage Outside of Worship - By Segment - Bible Usage Outside of Worship - Total Christians - Mean Times per Week Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians 0.5 0.4 1.5 1.6 3.4
  • 29.
    Bible Purchasing BiblePurchasing - By Segment - Bible Purchasing - Total Christians - Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
  • 30.
    Read Christian Books:1 hr or more per week Read Christian Books: 1 hr or more per week - By Segment - Read Christian Books: 1 hr or more per week - Total Christians - Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
  • 31.
    Usage of ChristianMedia Usa g e of Christian Media - By Segment - Usage of Christian Media - Total Christians - Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
  • 32.
    Listen Christian Radio:1 hr or more per week Listen Christian Radio: 1 hr or more per week - By Segment - Listen Christian Radio: 1 hr or more per week - Total Christians - Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
  • 33.
    Listen Christian CDs/Tapes/MP3/Downloads: 1 hr or more per week Listen Christian CDs/Tapes/MP3/Downloads: 1 hr or more per week - By Segment - Listen Christian CDs/Tapes/MP3/Downloads: 1 hr or more per week - Total Christians - Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
  • 34.
    Read Christian Magazines/Newsletters: 1 hr or more per week Read Christian Magazines/Newsletters: 1 hr or more per week - By Segment - Read Christian Magazines/Newsletters: 1 hr or more per week - Total Christians - Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
  • 35.
    Spiritual Growth ActivitiesRead the Bible Read other inspirational materials Attend worship services Meet with a group of your peers to discuss faith Share your faith with others Read materials other than sacred writings Visit religious websites Watch religious TV or listen to religious radio programs Meditate Do some other form of exercise other than yoga Spend time outdoors Spend time with family = Significantly higher than total at the 95% confidence level = Significantly lower than total at the 95% confidence level Percent within Segment Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
  • 36.
    Spiritual Growth ActivitiesSpend time with friends Spend time alone Meet with clergy/pastor/priest Fast Listen to/play music Donate your money to church or charity Donate your time to church or charity Pray to God Pray with others Receive communion Serve at church Serve in the community Continued Percent within Segment = Significantly higher than total at the 95% confidence level = Significantly lower than total at the 95% confidence level Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
  • 37.
    Involvement in SpiritualActivities I n v o l v e m e n t i n Spiritual Activities - By Segment - Involvement in Spiritual Activities - Total Christians - = 1-10 ACTIVITIES = 11+ ACTIVITIES = NO ACTIVITIES Cultural Christians Inner Christians Catholic Christians Professing Christians Active Christians
  • 38.
    Denomination By Segment Among Those Who Attend Church Baptist (any type) Catholic/Roman Catholic
  • 39.
    Denomination By Segment Among Those Who Attend Church Methodist (any type) Lutheran (any type)
  • 40.
    Political Affiliation bySegment Cultural Christians Private Christians Liturgical Christians Professing Christians Active Christians Political Affiliation - By Segment - Political Affiliation - Total Christians - = REPUBLICAN = INDEPENDENT/ UNDECIDED/OTHER = DEMOCRAT
  • 41.
    Christian Segments: ComparisonKnowledge Networks National Study Bowker PubTrack Panel
  • 42.
    Christian Segments: NationalChristianPoll.comCTI’s NationalChristianPoll.com* * 4,400 current panel size
  • 43.
  • 44.
    Read Christian Books:1 hr or more per week Read Christian Books: 1 hr or more per week - By Segment - Read Christian Books: 1 hr or more per week - Total Christians - Active Christians Professing Christians Liturgical Christians Private Christians Cultural Christians
  • 45.
    If Active Christiansare the primary book and Bible buyers, how can we most effectively reach them? What unmet needs do Active Christians have for other media products besides books and Bibles? Professing Christians are a logical market, but low in Christian book and media usage. Are there any products or services that could activate this latent market? How can Evangelical publishers tap into the sizable and active Catholic and Liturgical Christian segment? Know Thy Consumer – Strategic Questions
  • 46.
  • 47.