The Potluck Factor — Does Fellowship Meal Culture Predict Member Retention?

Executive summary

The Adventist potluck is one of the denomination's most recognisable cultural practices — a weekly or bi-weekly shared meal following Sabbath worship. While often treated as mere social tradition, research on church member retention consistently identifies fellowship meals as a critical factor in forming the social bonds that prevent departure. The "7 friends in 6 months" principle — new members who form at least 7 friendships within their first 6 months are far more likely to remain — directly ...