Church Assessment Tool Results April 12, 2015€¦ · Church Assessment Tool Results! April 12, 2015. Christ Church April 2015

Church Assessment Tool Results April 12, 2015

Christ Church April 2015

• Survey tool used by mainline Protestant congregations across the country

• Transitions • Strategic Planning • Standardized - comparisons over time • Benchmarked - comparisons between different churches

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What is the CAT?


Why use the CAT?• Recommended by Diocese of Chicago every 3-5 years

• Gauge health and vitality • Allows broader view of parish life • Beginning of a parish-wide conversation about what’s next for Christ Church

• Development of Strategic Vision

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Survey Respondents• 197 surveys completed • 78% response rate (ASA of 252)

- 2% ages 16-34 - 8% 35-44 - 32% 45-54 - 25% 55-64 - 33% 65+

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Energy & Satisfaction

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Transformation Quadrant

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Transformation (20%)

StaticRecovery (20%)

Chaos

High Energy • compared to other

churches our size, our energy level is “very high”

High Satisfaction • compared to other

churches our size, our satisfaction level is “high”


Overall Satisfaction

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On the whole, I am satisfied with how things are in our church. 2015 2011 clearly agree 75% 70% on the fence 20% 26% clearly disagree 5% 4%


Overall Energy

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It seems to me that we are just going through the motions of church activity. There isn’t much excitement about it among our members. !

2015 2011 clearly agree 5% 6% on the fence 27% 33% clearly disagree 67% 61%


Where should we put all that energy…?

What does this mean?

•Churches in the Transformation Quadrant are sources of new meaning and purpose for their members.

•These churches may also serve as mentors to other churches.

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Priorities

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Top 5 Priorities1. Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to reach new

people and incorporate them into the life of the church. 2. Develop ministries that work toward healing those broken by

life circumstances. 3. Expand outreach ministries that provide direct services to those

living on the margins of society (e.g., homeless, immigrant, transient persons).

4. Make necessary changes to attract families with children and youth to our church.

5. Strengthen the process by which members are called and equipped for ministry and leadership.

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How could we be more welcoming to newcomers?

Priorities Shared by All Age Groups

•Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to reach new people and incorporate them into the life of the church.

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Does this mean pastoral care? Outreach? Or both?


•Develop ministries that work toward healing those broken by life circumstances.

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How is Christ Church called to expand its outreach ministries?


•Expand outreach ministries that provide direct services to those living on the margins of society (e.g., homeless, immigrant, transient persons). - Compared to other churches our size, this

priority is ranked VERY HIGH

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Priorities by Group

Larger Bubbles • indicate higher priorities

Smaller Bubbles • indicate lower

priorities - either because they are less important

- or they are already being done well

Performance

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When compared to other churches our size, we excel in these areas.

Excellent Performance

•Morale - 94th percentile (91) •Conflict Management - 96th (96) •Engagement in Education - 94th (90) •Worship & Music - 98th (88)

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How could our decision-making be more inclusive?

Good Performance

1. Governance - 80th percentile (88) - The Governance Index measures the

degree to which members believe that the decision-making structures and processes of the church are open to their concerns and input.

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How could we better equip our parishioners for ministry?

Good Performance

2. Readiness for Ministry - 82nd (88) - The Readiness for Ministry Index measures

how well a church has helped members identify their gifts and connect to ministries that best fit those gifts.

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How could Christ Church become more hospitable?

Areas for Discernment

1. Hospitality - 65th percentile (50) - The Hospitality Index seeks to measure

the degree to which members perceive that the parish is engaged in offering themselves and their resources to people who are new, different, or in need.

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What would “spiritual vitality” look like at Christ Church?

Areas for Discernment2. Spiritual Vitality - 9th percentile (1st)

- The Spiritual Vitality Index measures the degree to which members believe their faith is central to their lives. !

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- Tends to be low in Episcopal churches.

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“Although my faith is important to me, I feel there are other things more pressing in my life right now.” 85 (92)

Core Values

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Progressive-Adaptable

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Theological Perspective • theologically progressive • low theological diversity

Flexible Style Index • on the border between

adaptable and settled • degree of flexibility

should be consistent with strategic priorities


What are the strengths and weaknesses of our style?

Flexible Style Index

•The more flexible a church, the more likely it is to adapt to meet the needs of its members and the community.

•The less flexible a church, the more likely it is to believe that a particular style is central to its identity.

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Supplemental Questions

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Outreach at Christ Church

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Level of Engagement 38% of respondents indicate that their current level of engagement is lower or much lower than they would like


What are your top priorities? Your interests? Your gifts?

Top Priorities for Involvement in Outreach

1. The degree to which opportunities are a good fit for my gifts and interests.

2. The effectiveness of the opportunity in making a real difference in my life and in the lives of others.

3. How well opportunities fit into my schedule and lifestyle.

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The CAT is the beginning of a parish-wide conversation.

Open Response Themes

•Rummage is a very meaningful ministry at Christ Church

•Music program is unparalleled •Opportunities for growth in welcoming

newcomers and pastoral care •Desire for a strategic vision

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Next Steps

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copyright 2014

Small GroupsSign up for a small group TODAY! !

- Sunday, April 19 at 10:45am - Tuesday, April 21 at 10:45am - Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00pm - Sunday, April 26 at 10:45am - Monday, April 27 at 7:00pm - Wednesday, April 29 at 1:00pm - Thursday, April 30 at 7:00pm - Sunday, May 3 at 10:45am

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Church Assessment Tool Results April 12, 2015€¦ · Church Assessment Tool Results! April 12, 2015. Christ Church April 2015

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