Post on 05-Jan-2016
Epiphany Lutheran Church
Call Committee Meeting –
Congregational Survey Results
September 18, 2011
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Agenda
Call to Order
Opening Devotion & Prayer
Congregational Survey Results Questions Closing Prayer Adjourn
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
A Thought for Today
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work."
John 4:34
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Congregational Survey
• Members• Background• History• Results
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Congregational Survey
• Voting Members
Lynne Cheney, Bruce DeSoto (Chairman), Becky Durham, Darwin Hesebeck, Kyla Sikorski, Katharyn Wheeler
• Non-Voting Members
Ralph Neeper, Becki O’Loughlin, Denise Shoemaker (Secretary), Jessica Stokes McNeil
Call Committee Members
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Congregational Survey
• The Congregational Survey was created to assist the Call Committee in developing the Congregational Profile and to gain a better understanding of what the congregation is seeking in calling a new pastor
• The survey was provided to the congregation on 2 June (both in electronic & paper format)
• The initial date for surveys to be returned was 26 June
• The date was extended to 10 July to allow for additional participation – initial response was low
• The survey was closed on 10 July
Background
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Congregational Survey
• Total of 165 surveys were provided to the congregation (both voting & non-voting members)
• Call Committee convened on 19 July to validate submissions
• 77 surveys were returned (19 paper & 58 on-line)
• Seven surveys could not be validated for the following reasons: No responses; no control number; duplicate surveys
• Total of 70 surveys were validated – 42.4% participation
History
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Congregational Survey
Results – Pastor Background (1 response allowed)
• Gender of Pastor• Majority of responses had no preference (79%)• Preferred a male (20%)
• Age of Pastor• Majority of responses had no preference (53%)• Preferred age 40-60 (37%)
• Marital Status of Pastor• Majority of responses had no preference (83%)• Preferred married (17%)
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Congregational Survey
• Results – Pastor Background (Up to 2 responses)
• Amount of Career Experience of Pastor• Majority of responses preferred at least one prior pastoral call (42%)• No preference (37%)• Preferred a first call candidate (5%)
• Employment Expectation of Pastor• Majority of responses preferred full time (51%)• Preferred part time with Sunday & two days (21%)• Preferred shared with other congregation (16%)• No preference (12%)
• Language of Pastor• Majority of responses preferred English (51%)• No preference (24%)• Preferred bilingual (20%)
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Congregational Survey
• Important Professional Qualities In A Pastor – Five survey questions – Top seven responses will be considered in the Congregational Profile
– Preaching/Worship Leadership
– Interpreter of Theology
– Spiritual Development
– Building Sense of Community/Congregational Climate
– Ministering in Crisis
– Communication Skills
– Children’s Ministry
Results – Professional Qualities
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Congregational Survey
• I would support calling an openly gay/lesbian pastor that abstains from a sexual relationship.
• 52% of the responses said no
• 24% of the responses had no preference
• I would support calling an openly gay/lesbian pastor that is part of a publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationship.
• 56% of the responses said no
• 19% of the responses had no preference
Results – Sexuality Questions
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Congregational Survey
1) What current strengths does Epiphany possess that you would like to either see maintained or developed in the immediate future?
– Sense of community
– Warm, friendly, caring atmosphere
– Fellowship
– Leadership
– Study
Results – Open Ended Question (Current Strengths)
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Congregational Survey
Results – Open Ended Question (Short-Term)
2) What are the main things you would like the congregation to accomplish or get involved in within the next three to five years?
– Outreach
– Growth in size
– Financial Security
– Active members/membership
– Fellowship
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Congregational Survey
3) What current church problems/issues concern you and how do you see them changing?
– Financial security
– Lack of growth
– Lack of member participation
– Not engaging Youth/Young Adults
– Keeping leadership fresh
Results – Open Ended Question (Current Issues)
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Congregational Survey
4) Would you like to see the church's membership grow and what would be the advantages and disadvantages of growing?
Yes – 52 No – 3
Advantages Disadvantages
- More resources-money & volunteers - Loss of family feeling
- More ideas - Limited space
- Stability
- Living into Mission/Purpose
- Afford a full-time pastor
- More Outreach/Evangelism
Results – Open Ended Question (Church Growth)
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Congregational Survey
5) What special issue(s) would you like the Call Committee to consider?
Committee will prayerfully consider all responses as we develop the Congregational Profile.
Results – Open Ended Question (Other Considerations)
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Congregational Survey
QUESTIONS ???
Congregational Survey - Sep 18, 2011
Adjourn
Go In PeaceGo In Peace
Share the Good NewsShare the Good News
Serve the LordServe the Lord