December 15-31, 2022, Ruth Israel Initiative conducted a survey among Christian parents to determine their familiarity and the value they place on 37 Key Christian Practices and 11 Calendar Rhythms for their families. They survey was conducted in English only and included 42 participating families. The link was distributed to known Vineyard pastors and friends and non-denominational friends who were also asked to pass the link on to their parent-friends to complete as well. The timing of the survey during the Christmas school break likely contributed to a lower response rate, but 100% of participants who began the survey completed each question.  

Where Respondents live

15 families from Birmingham, AL and suburbs
7 families from Champaign, IL and surrounding IL areas
6​ families from Cincinnati, OH and surrounding areas
5 families from Bloomington, IN and surrounding areas
4 families from Washington DC and suburb Fairfax, VA
1 family each from Memphis & Lima

Respondent's current children's ages

Children's special needs

Editor's note on data: 41 of 42 families answered this question. The average number of children per family was 3.6. (148 total children of all ages). Of 41 families, almost 50% (n=48.78%) indicated that at least one of their children had/has special needs in learning.

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Practices Data:
In both of the following two charts: Green indicates "Very Important."   Blue indicates "Somewhat Important."   Yellow indicates "Not very Important."
Turquoise indicated an additional option if the parent was unfamiliar with good practices on this topic and wanted more information or training. 

Christian Practices these parents value by degree of importance.

Editor's note on the response rate for three questions. (Feasts of the Lord, Sabbath rest, & Servant outreach). Only our beta reader answered those 3 questions in the original version, then we added those practices to the Sacred Rhythms question with results posted below this chart.

Christian Calander Rhythms these parents value by degree of importance.

A special thanks to all who participated and contributed to our learning what Christian practices are most important to you at this time. Thanks especially for indicating where you'd like some training on particular practices you'd like to pass on to your children! That really helps us know where to do some concentrated teaching models.