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Integral Mission Survey 2020-2021

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Micah Singapore conducted a cross-sectional study from December 2020 to February 2021. Its aim was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, practices and behaviours (KAPBs) of Christian youths and young adults in Singapore towards integral mission in: (a) individual practice; (b) the local church; (c) the community and Asia.

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Summary

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  • Most participants were unfamiliar with the term “integral mission”.

  • While many were practising elements of it, less did so in the societal arena.

  • Not knowing where to start is a major barrier towards participation in integral mission

  • Church platforms should be harnessed to promote awareness of societal issues and the missional role of all believers.

  • Churches should also look into connecting and training members towards involvement in social initiatives.

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Reflection & Insights

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Contact & queries: thejusticedemand@gmail.com

Organised by Micah Singapore https://www.micahsingapore.org/

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Follow us on Instagram (@micahsingapore), Facebook and Telegram (https://t.me/micah2021), or feel free to email us!

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Survey methods

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Literature review, crafting of questions and creation of online questionnaire by Micah Research Team.

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Dissemination via Micah Team Connectors through various channels: social media, internal church comms, contacts in Christian organisations.

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Collation of data and performance of statistical analysis.

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Characteristics of Participants

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  • Total number: 228

  • 99 (43%) male

  • 219 (96%) Chinese ethnicity

  • 220 (97%) Singapore citizens / PRs

  • 126 (55%) Bachelor’s degree and above

  • 168 (74%) have been followers of Christ for >10 years

  • Median age 24yrs (Interquartile range 21-29 yrs)

 

(In view of the highly selected nature of participants, our findings are likely more representative of young adults/youths who have spent more time in church and are more active in ministry, and not the entire Christian young adult/youth population.)

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When was a recent time you thought deeply about what Integral Mission could look like?

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  • At a church small group meeting - 31.1%

  • While reading up or watching videos on the topic - 26.8%

  • During church service - 25.0%

  • At an external Christian group meeting - 21.9%

  • While volunteering with an organization - 21.5%

  • During a mission trip - 14.9%

  • At a training course/workshop - 13.2%

  • During a church camp - 11.8%

  • NA — I have not thought deeply about integral mission - 29.8%

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Attitudes towards Integral Mission

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Which of these were areas of concern that you noticed among your peers during COVID-19?

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  • Physical/Emotional isolation - 71.5%

  • Mental health / psychological distress - 69.7%

  • Relationship issues within families - 62.7%

  • Relationship concerns with friends - 39.9%

  • Faith-related questions that are not adequately answered - 37.7%

  • Loss of income - 32.0%

  • Loss of job - 25.9%

  • Gaming/social media addiction - 24.1%

  • Physical health concerns - 18.9%

  • Pornography / Sexual addiction - 18.4%

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Personally, which particular areas of need do you feel burdened to help out with?

 

  • Low income families in your church’s neighbourhood - 39.0%

  • Migrant workers in your church’s immediate vicinity - 31.6%

  • Children and youth within your church’s neighbourhood - 30.7%

  • Elderly within your church’s neighbourhood - 25.9%

  • Rough sleepers and displaced workers within your church’s neighbourhood - 23.7%

  • None - 18.9%

  • Those working at the frontline during COVID-19 - 11.8%

  • Persons with disabilities within your church’s neighbourhood - 11.0%


COVID-19 has highlighted some societal issues in Singapore. Which of these do you feel personally burdened by?

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  • Inequality (of access to resources) - 68.4%

  • Mental health concerns - 65.8%

  • Welfare of migrant workers - 61.4%

  • Poverty - 46.9%

  • Xenophobia (prejudice against people from other countries) - 43.4%

  • Racism (prejudice against people from other races) - 42.5%

  • Environmental effects - 27.2%

  • Sex trafficking - 17.1%

  • None - 0.9%


What might be some reasons that you would not be drawn to any of these issues?

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  • Don’t know where to start - 44.7%

  • Other personal commitments - 33.8%

  • Already involved with other ministries in church - 29.4%

  • Don’t think I am able to meaningfully contribute - 26.3%

  • I’m still too young to get involved - 7.5%

  • Not relevant to me - 4.4%

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What are the areas that you would like your church to be doing more in?

 

  • Train members in specific skills to participate in community projects - 47.4%

  • Draw attention to societal issues - 46.5%

  • Teach about our missional social responsibility - 46.5%

  • Mobilise small group to action - 36.4%

  • Link members up with Christian NGOs - 34.2%

  • Organise community-outreach projects - 28.9%

  • Provide church funds for members to use for the community - 21.9%
     

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Which of the following, if any, have you experienced in your church?

 

  • I have been inspired to live generously based on the example of people at my church - 60.1%

  • I have had the opportunity to serve the poor in my community through my church - 47.8%

  • I have taken a trip that helped broaden my understanding of the world - 35.1%

  • My church has helped me better understand the needs of the poor - 26.8%

  • My church has helped me better understand the needs of marginalised people - 26.8%

  • My church has helped me better understand social justice - 22.8%

  • I have been inspired to be a missionary based on the example of someone else in my church - 18.9%

  • I have found a cause or issue that I’m passionate about through my church - 16.2%

  • My church has helped me better understand what is happening for the poor globally - 15.8%

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