Communicant—Page 1

January 2012

VOLUME 24  ISSUE 1

 

Vision Journey Survey Results

We want to share with you a summary of the survey’s results completed in November.  Over the next several months this information will serve as one of the compasses for our committee and focus groups as we dive deeper into the opportunities and areas for improvement revealed through the survey.  This will help our leaders to prepare a long term strategic plan to better enable us to fulfill our mission.

 

We had 109 surveys submitted.  Thank you all for your great support and feedback.  This gives your strategic planning team – a.k.a. The Vision Journey Committee - a wealth of information and feedback that will enable us to focus our efforts around the prospects that surfaced from the survey.

Here’s the breakdown on the profile of the respondents:

64% were women

78% have college or post graduate degrees

59% attend the 9:15, 28% the 11:00 and 8% the 8:00 service

74% are either married or in a committed relationship

16% are life-long members, 28% have been here 20 or more years and 24% over 5 years.  Just 10% are new to St. Paul’s in the last 4 years.

 

Your feedback on the ministries that matter most to you:

Highest ranked Out-Reach ministries:

1. Rummage Sale and Food Pantry

2. Respite Care

3. Christmas Auction/Emergency Fund

Highest ranked In-Reach ministries:

1. Fellowship Dinners/Wonderful Wednesdays

2. Gifts to the Christ Child

3. Coffee Hour and New Member Dinners/Orientation

Highest ranked Christian Education programs:

1. Sunday school

2. Vacation Bible School

3. Junior High Youth Group/Youth Summer Work Camp

 

We had many positive comments about a wide range of issues.  Most noted how we are a family and that we care for each other.  The survey showed a love for our worship experience, a strong support for Paul and our staff, and recognition that we are an active “mission” church as we perform good works in God’s name.

 

We also received many comments seeking and/or suggesting improvements in the following areas:

Youth ministry – this is currently a focus area by Paul, the parents of our youth and the Christian Ed Committee.

Church finances – we have strains on our finances and fear was expressed as it relates to our ability to sustain our current ministries.

Paul’s workload and the impact on his ability to perform all that is expected of our Rector.  Many see the challenges a church of our size represents for our Rector in trying to meet the many expectations of our members and our active programs.

The desire for more contemporary music in our worship experience.

This is only a summary of the surveys.  We will be using all of the feedback as we develop plans to help St. Paul’s meet the needs of our members and larger community in the years to come.  Thank you again for your contribution to this important process.                                                                       

~Jerry Martz