BBC Planning Update

Have done quite a lot of work for the past month or so.
The Senior Pastor, the Youth Minister, and I are the
strategic planning team. The Dean of Adult Education
provides advice and guidance to me on important issues.

We have a census form drawn up to answer the question:
"Who are our present members." It is in the nature of
a market research survey. Launch is expected in late
Summer or early Fall.

A partial answer to the question: "How well is our market
served?" comes from various demographic reports. The
most useful are the Pew Forum's reports on their U.S.
Religious Landscape Survey. We also obtained forecasts
of demographic trends from Claritas, a subsidiary of
Nielsen. A noted demographic consultant gave his
summary of Cape Cod population vs. economic factors
in a report to the Chamber of Commerce.

Taken together, the news is not good. The profile is
of an increasing population of oldsters (like me) and
a diminishing amount of residents under the age of 50.
Further, a decreasing number are attending church on
a regular basis, as far as we can tell. A partial answer
to the question: "Who are our real competitors?" is
the golf course, and fifty-four churches in our area
of S. Eastham through E. Barnstable.

BBC's net growth is stalled. It is still the largest
Protestant Church in our area, with over 600 members.
Increasing the growth rate will require some
imagination and innovation, as well as superb
marketing. No longer can we just open the doors
and welcome people who walk in.