Unification Task Force Survey Results

Transcription

1 Unification Task Force Survey Results 1. Are you a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (CPCA) or Cumberland Presbyterian Church (CPC)? (s) CPCA % CPC % No (s) % 2. Which category describes your age? Answer 0% 100% (s) Younger than 18 1 <1 % % % % % % 65 or older % Prefer not to answer 3 <1 % No (s) % 3. What is your gender? (s) Male % Female % Prefer not to answer 3 <1 % No (s) % Page 1

2 4. Which of the following categories best describes your church involvement? (additional categories may be added in the comment box below) (s) Lay Person % Elder % Deacon % Ordained Minister % Youth Minister 3 <1 % Christian Educator % Provide leadership/active in the Presbytery Level Provide leadership/active at the Synod Level Provide leadership/active at the Denominational Level Provide leadership/active in the local congregation % 2 <1 % % % Other % No (s) % 5. What are some of the benefits of uniting the two denominations? 450 (s) Comments: <15 none, no benefit (<25 out of 441); 8-10 don t know enough; majority stated a wide variety of benefits, including theological reasons, talents of all, strengthened, diversity enhances ministry, etc. 6. What are some of the challenges of uniting the two denominations? 429 (s) Comments: fear of change, few money comments, leadership sharing, few comments about property 1-2, worship styles, cultural challenge, loss of identity, need to define union vs merger; most challenges covered in our myths document 7. If and/or when the two denominations are united, what are some suggestions for a "new name" for the united church (e.g. United Cumberland Presbyterian Church, The Cumberland Presbyterian Church)? 441 (s) Comments: Over 25% keep CP in some way; 162 said include United, Union, or Unified in name; some say Cumberland is too local Page 2

3 8. If and/or when the two denominations are united, what are some suggestions for a "new logo" for the united church? 285 (s) Comments: 39 combo of two existing logos- cross, lamp, globe; 54- CPC logo, 82 no suggestion 9. Are there new doctrinal and/or governmental issues that require discussion before the two churches are united? If so, what are they? (s) Yes % No % No (s) % Comments: Discussed what these may be, such as Elders serving communion in CPC but not in CPCA, different in constitution Ordination standards- standards are same, but practical implementation differs; call required in CPC, for CPCA, fulfill requirements only Certification of youth ministers in CPC not CPCA, not constitutional issue Chinese, Colombians- long time for ordination, cultural differences Catechism- CPC adopted, CPCA did not; had been in 1883 CofF CPC Ministry Council structure practical matter Other issues other agencies would have to discuss 10, Should presbyteries and synods remain as they are? If so, why? If not, why not? (s) Yes % No % No (s) % Comments: same yes 31%, no 46%, n/a 11%; GA has no authority to redraw Presbyterial lines, synod has that responsibility; equal representation main issue on survey; length of phase- in time, most three years out begin change, varies out to twenty years; indicates people want change at local level; the diversity will be most visible at presbytery and synod levels; need to make coming together feel like a family affair 11. What steps could be taken to afford every opportunity for persons representing both former denominations to have equal input in shaping the program life of the new united church (e.g. staffing, board representation)? 345 (s) Comments: Representation/Input- 105 say equal representation, how? Check out numbers 69, 87, 101, 90/59, 108; nominating committee; moderator alternating- 101, work toward being one- 90, 59; ask for special day for unification focus in worship- 187; several emphases upon UTF- 198 Page 3

4 12. What kind of organizational structure would best serve a unified church at the denominational level. (Rank the following in order of priority, with 1 = least preferred). 1 = Least Answer A combination of the current denominational structures Multiple program board, agencies, committees, commissions (s) Ranking Score* A One Program Board Other *The Ranking Score is the weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all weighted rankings by the number of total responses. Comments: most say combo, but all close; question may have been confusing judging from answers Took time to discuss current structures of CPCA & CPC CPCA- National Missionary Society (not all women; president on Executive Board), National Youth Work, National Sunday School Convention; GA Boards= Executive Board- GAEB (mission and evangelism part of GAEB; Huntsville Presbytery has committee, GA directed all to do so), Judiciary; chart on cpcachurch.org Joint- Unified Committee on Theology & Social Concerns, Historical Foundation, Joint Committee on Amendments CPC- Ministry Council (Missions, Discipleship, Pastoral Development, Communications Ministry Teams), Judiciary, Board of Stewardship, Nominating Committee, Commission on Military Chaplains, MTS, Corporate Board, OUO Memo going to CPCA GA to meet every year again Is there tension with women of both churches? Mission similar, execution different; CPC- CPW transition eleven years ago, very little committee work 13. Please indicate your preference regarding the location of the Denominational Offices (Center) for the united church (Rank the following in order of priority, with 1= least preferred), 1 = Least Ranking Answer (s) Score* Huntsville, AL Memphis, TN New Location Consider Regional Centers No Preference *The Ranking Score is the weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all weighted rankings by the number of total responses. Comments: high support of new location- fresh start in new location if enhances process of unification- #22, CPC denomination center is debt free; transitional phase then relocate to somewhere like Nashville or Dallas- #9; talked about regional offices- decentralize? Merits a closer look (hard to discern from results will of people) Page 4

5 14. How likely is it that we will celebrate the union of the two denominations? (s) Very likely % Somewhat likely % Neutral % Somewhat unlikely % Very unlikely % No (s) % Comments: Mixed interpretation of question; Will it happen vs. will people be happy about it happening; mostly optimistic, positive comments; varied responses from don t push it to urgency to do it now 15. When would you like to see unification of the two denominations to take place? (s) As soon as possible % At the General Assembly meeting in % Other % Totals % Comments: 82% between now and 2016; comments say need more education & worship, let s do it! Some lack of knowledge of what s currently happening on joint levels 16. Do you have any suggestions for moving us towards unification? 237 (s) Comments: Emphases upon prayer, education, worship 17. I would like to help with unification efforts in my (check all that apply): (s) Local Church % Presbytery % Synod % Denomination % Totals % Page 5

6 18. Personal Information (personal information shared is optional, though the name of your presbytery & church would be helpful to the task force. All survey responses will be treated confidentially, and will only be made available to members of the task force). Answers (s) First Name 359 Last Name 359 Work Phone 220 Home Phone 289 Address 328 Address Address 2 21 City 338 State/Province<br />(US/Canada) 359 Postal Code 343 Country 343 Church 352 Presbytery 379 Page 6