Who is My Neighbor?

CNH District
1 day ago
4 min read

Get to Know Your Community with the Mission Insite Demographics Tools

The more we understand those who live in our neighborhoods and communities, the more we increase our likelihood of succeeding with our invitation both personally and collectively as a congregation or school. As we understand who we are serving, we can tailor a ministry plan around their needs. The truth of God’s word and the Gospel message never change, however our packaging or style or approach to sharing the message might look different from one neighborhood to the next. Plain and simple: the more we understand our target audience the more accurately we can connect with them!

The ACS Technologies Mission Insite tool is made available to all CNH District congregations and schools thanks to a partnership with LCEF. Reach out to your LCEF District Vice President, Matt Molinari or request access to the system:

» HOW TO SET UP AN ACCOUNT https://app.missioninsite.com/start-registration

Use the “Agency Code” = 99BHN

DISCLAIMERS & WARNINGS

DON’T SPEND TOO MUCH TIME in the data over analyzing or over emphasizing the numbers. You might miss the people right in front of you.
The data analysis is only ONE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE which will inform ministry programming and outreach.
LISTEN WELL and ALWAYS BE LEARNING in real life. Be the most curious person in the room about the people groups and culture around you.

BACKGROUND

Demographics is the study of physical characteristics about people. The word comes from the Greek word for people: demos. As an academic discipline, it is generally considered to be part of sociology. Technically, demographics refer to geo-demographics because of the relationship of people to place. At the most basic level, demographics counts people in geographic places. Once the total population is counted, then attributes about those people can be collected and quantified. Attributes such as age, sex, education level, marital status, occupation are all characteristics of people. Households are also part of demographic study. In this case, it is characteristics of particular households that are captured and reported. Demographic data (income, population, age, ethnicity, etc.) is always related to some kind of geographic space.

Where does all this data come from?

Synergos Technologies PopStats (Demographic Data) www.synergos-tech.com/popstats
Experian (Mosaic Household Portraits of Income, Attitudes & Behaviors) www.experian.com/marketing/consumer-view/mosaic
Epsilon (Household Level Demographic Data that Empowers MissionInsite “Neighbor Center”) www.epsilon.com/
American Beliefs Study - Every 4 years www.acstechnologies.com/american-beliefs

HOW TO RUN A REPORT

1. Identify a geographical region

- Radius, Polygon, City/Zip, Travel Polygon

2. Select the desired report based on your needs

- Quick Insite = 9 key demographic variables (population, age, income, mosaic…)

- Executive Insite = expanded version with 12 variables

- Religious Insite = religious attitudes, social/moral values, and faith involvement

- Ministry Insite = provides practical applications of data from the ReligiousInsite

GOING DEEPER

Process with your Leadership Team

Both the executive insite and quick insite reports have a corresponding worksheet for your leadership team to process the data step by step. Download the PDF's for use in a team exploratory workshop...

Mosaic Segments Paint a Picture of ‘Customer Behavior’

Mosaic is a cross-channel consumer classification system which segments the population into 15 groups and 66 types that helps you to understand an individual's likely customer behavior. The mosaic segment describes specifically their use of technology, household makeup, education, income, etc.

Look for the top 2 or 3 segments on your “quick insite” and “executive insite”. These reports will show a percentage breakdown of each segment in the report’s geographical region. You'll probably see a few that stand out at the top of the list. Write down those segment names and find the descriptions in the Mosaic Handbook...

The Mosaic USA E-Handbook (above) provides a simple, clear and comprehensive guide that gives you all the information you need at your fingertips to help you in your day-to-day use of Mosaic. It helps you build a detailed understanding of your customers and locations, and become conversant with the dimensions of the new American consumer and their household dynamics.

Mosaic Definitions:

MEANS show the percentage of this group of type with a particular characteristic The INDEX provides further insight by comparing the characteristics of a Mosaic group/type with all households in the USA. An INDEX of 100 is the average
TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION is defined on 4 levels with the smartphone icon: Novices » Apprentices » Journeymen» Wizards

FOLLOW UP LISTENING

Let's go back to the disclaimers and warnings: don't get so buried in the data that you miss the people around you! The following are 5 ideas you can run with tomorrow to begin your follow up listening...

Police Ride-A-Long: Gain an understanding of community needs and opportunities to serve. Spending a few hours with law enforcement can be eye opening.
Neighborhood Prayer Walks: Go out intentionally into the surrounding neighborhoods around your church property to pray, watch, listen & reflect
Neighborhood Trash Pick Up: This simple act of service shows you care. Kindness without expecting anything in return.
Partner With Local Non-Profits: These organizations most likely have had a direct pulse on the needs of a community. Food bank, homeless services, chamber, rotary, neighborhood associations, etc.
Offer Your Facilities: Perhaps there is a way for your building to be a good host and a blessing in the community the other 6 days of the week