The results of this, our first poll, are in. Let me first point out that I’m not a statistician, not only that, I’m so mathematically challenged it is not funny. This by way of a caveat that says the following interpretation, while interesting, may not be the best interpretation.

Here are the numbers:

Poll question: “I consider myself to be an indie-sacramental Christian”
Participants: 38
Yes: 82% (31 responses
No: 8% (3 responses)
Don’t Know: 11% (4 responses)

Approximate number of “hits” to this site since 9 March 07 when this poll started: 975 with an average visit length of about 3 minutes.

Strictly speaking this suggests that 30 people are visiting the site about 32.2 times a month. . . .erm. . . . I would like to suggest fresh air, some good wine, and erm. . . . therapy!

Thankfully, this number is deceptive for while only 34 people responded to the poll, I know that many more indie folk visit the site on a regular (though, thankfully, not an obsessive) basis.

Roughly 60% of regular visitors come from the US (most along the E. coast); and about 27% are from the UK with the remainder being taken up by other countries including Canada, Australia, Poland, Sweden, France, and Malaysia.

Regular readers tend to spend more time here – so the “average” visit length is skewed by this fact that a smaller number than visit is taking time to look around. Quite a few of the daily “visitors” are not here long enough for the clock to start ticking. It may be that they “fall into” the site, quite by accident – realise what its about and run away screaming.

The first thing that emerges from the small sample of this first poll is the fact that this site appears to be reaching its target audience – OC, IC, or ISM whichever you prefer this blog is for you; for us really. You may have noticed that on the whole this corner of cyber-space is narrowly dedicated to things indie; that is no accident. When preparing to undertake this project, I decided I needed to know more about the mysteries of Blog. I knew nothing, and was frankly suspicious. I did some reading and one of my sources suggested that “successful” blogs are those that tend to have a particular focus, and stick to it – they seek to fill a niche, I think is what the article said. While I do enjoy a wide range of theo-blogs, my aim here is to remain focussed on OC/IC (ISM) issues and ideas. I believe we need places like this in our community and hope that I’m contributing to filling that need.

What exactly a “successful” blog is – I’m not entirely sure – but I think if the goals of the blogger are achieved then that must count as “successful blogging”.

The other thing that stands out for me, looking at the numbers from this small sample, is the 11% of respondents who said that they do not know if they are indie sacramental Christians. This number (4 responses) is not big – but it does raise some interesting questions. Are we indie folk effectively developing and communicating our message; our identity? Are we reaching those who might have a natural affinity for our communities, but who have never heard about us – or if they have, are afraid of us because of the outrageous reputation of certain quarters within our movement? Are we being effectively available to those who are curious and seeking, without overwhelming or pressuring them? There is another side to these answers – people who are currently worshipping in indie communities, who may have been doing so for some time now, but who, do not have a clue about what it means to be an OC/IC sacramental believer. This is not beyond the realm of possibilities, indeed given the nature of some of the communities in our movement, I am surprised that this number is not significantly higher.

If you think my interpretation of this (11%) figure is over-reaching (and it may well be) I pose this question: if the poll was on an Anglican site, for example, and asked “I consider myself to be an Anglican” – do you think that this number would have even registered? I don’t.

Finally we come to the 8% (3 responses) who said that they are not indie. First I should like to say: ‘Welcome!” whoever you are, whatever your tradition, I’m glad you visit. I’m also glad for those non-indie folk who over the course of the past 12 months have asked some tough questions, and made interesting contributions to the discussions here.

This little exercise was fun, and I’m looking forward to playing with the results of the next poll – which will be posted shortly.