COMMUNITY MINISTRIES SURVEY In what community ministries are you currently involved? What community ministries have you been involved with in the past that are not listed above? All together, how many years have you participated in any community ministry? What is your primary community ministry at this time (the one that means the most to you)? For the following questions, please refer to this primary ministry. Where does this community ministry take place? (Please select one): On our church property On the property of another organization In the homes or neighborhood of the people we serve Other (explain) What group of people does this ministry serve? (e.g. pre-school children, the homeless, substance abusers)? What do you do? How long have you been involved with this particular activity? Please go on to the next page 1
How often do you participate in this activity? (Please select one): more than once a week once a week 2-3 times a month monthly less than once a month How much time do you spend on this activity each time you do it? How were you prepared for this activity? Circle one answer to the right of each statement. Someone: Provided information about the problem and persons in need 1 2 3 Provided information about program goals 1 2 3 Gave me written guidelines 1 2 3 Explained the guidelines 1 2 3 Trained me in helping skills 1 2 3 Gave me the opportunity to practice the necessary skills before I began 1 2 3 Other (explain): 1 2 3 Yes, but not enough Yes, enough No training Does your congregation support the community ministry you are involved in? Circle one answer to the right of each statement. My congregation provides: Organized prayer support for this ministry 1 2 3 Child care or other programs for my family while I am involved 1 2 3 Publicity for the ministry, such as newsletter articles and/or announcements to the 1 2 3 congregation Financial support for this ministry 1 2 3 Recognition for those involved 1 2 3 Ongoing Bible study or other spiritual guidance related to this activity 1 2 3 Other (explain): 1 2 3 Yes No Don t Know Please go on to the next page 2
Did your involvement in this ministry give you the opportunity to gain new knowledge or information in the following areas? Circle one answer to the right of each statement. I had the opportunity to learn about: The needs of the people who benefit from this ministry 1 2 3 Other programs in the community that help people 1 2 3 My own gifts and abilities 1 2 3 Problems faced by other church groups who do similar ministries 1 2 3 Networks and support groups who do similar ministries in the 1 2 3 community The personal life experiences of one or more people I serve 1 2 3 Other kinds of knowledge or information. Please describe: 1 2 3 Yes, but not enough Yes, enough No opportunity As a result of your involvement with this community ministry, are you aware of any changes in your values or attitudes? Yes No If yes, please describe these changes: As a result of your involvement with this community ministry, are you aware of any changes in your behavior or lifestyle? Yes No If yes, please describe these changes: Please go on to the next page 3
Community ministry frequently involves working with persons who are different from you. How frequently do you encounter the following kinds of differences carrying out your ministry? (Circle your answer to the right.) In my community, I help people who differ from me in the following ways: Sometimes Some Always Race and ethnicity Income Education Personal habits, such as style of dress, grooming, or use of language Physical/mental/emotional disabilities Religious beliefs Sexual orientation Political ideas Please indicate how often the following statements describe your community ministry: (Circle your answer to the right.) Never Ra Sometimes I do meaningful work in my community ministry. I have important responsibilities in my community ministry. My community ministry involves challenging tasks. My community ministry is in neighborhoods where I don t feel safe. I work face-to-face with the people we are caring for. I receive support from ministry leaders. Doing community ministry raises new questions for me about living the Christian life. Before the community ministry began, leaders encouraged me to think about and discuss my expectations about the work. Those of us serving in the community ministry talk about our experiences with one another. I have opportunities to discuss connections between my community ministry and biblical and church teachings. Leaders encourage critical reflection that challenges me to think in new ways about my ministry. (Continued on next page) Always s Please go on to the next page 4
(Continued from previous page) Please indicate how often the following statements describe your community ministry: (Circle your answer to the right.) Never Ra Sometimes Leaders provide me with both supportive and challenging feedback. We plan and organize the community ministry together with those receiving the ministry. Ministry leaders provide me with information about the problem(s) of those receiving the ministry. My involvement in this ministry creates stress in other areas of my life. There have been conflicts or disagreements to work through in my community ministry. Always s Please indicate how much the following statements describe your approach to your community ministry. (Circle your answer to the right.) Strongly Disagree Never Disagree Ra Slightly Disagree The best way to meet the needs of people is by sharing the Christian gospel with them. Meeting people s needs provides an opening for sharing the Christian gospel. Meeting people s needs is my way of sharing the Christian gospel through what I do more than through what I say. Meeting people s needs and sharing the Christian gospel are the same thing like two sides of the same coin. Working toward social change is a way to share the Christian gospel. Community ministry is a way to make the Christian gospel more attractive to those who are turned off by Christianity. Community ministry is not related to sharing the Christian gospel. No Opinion Slightly Agree Agree Strongly Agree s What does sharing the Christian gospel in community ministry mean to you? Please go on to the next page 5
As a result of your involvement in the community ministry, are you aware of any changes in your Christian faith? Yes No If yes, please describe these changes: Contact Information: Name: Mailing Address: Daytime Phone ( ) Evening Phone ( ) Email Thank you very much for your participation. 6