ELC VITAL SIGNS CHURCH ASSESSMENT SUMMARY C.A.T. Task Force Team Presentation, March 16th Church Assessment Tool Summary March 2014
2 Vital Signs Church Assessment Summary This presentation will address: Background Survey Task Force Findings Timeline Next Steps Inquiries
Background 3 Why did ELC conduct the assessment? To obtain an understanding of the overall health and vitality of ELC When did ELC take the assessment? C.A.T. (Church Assessment Tool ) was conducted in October of 2013 Russ Crabtree presented Vital Signs Report Who participated in the assessment? Issued to 1000 individuals who regularly attend worship at ELC 295 responses were received (54% of average weekly attendance)
Background (cont d) 4 Why did ELC use this tool? Based on evidence-based discernment: A process of discovery that integrates organizational intelligence, core values, and inspired imagination to establish a course of action Statistically valid sample of ELC (voice of the congregation) Great data for baseline and continued conversations
Survey Task Force 5 A volunteer Task Force of 10 members is meeting biweekly to: Review and understand the results of the C.A.T. Identify and report ELC s unique perspectives, experiences and aspirations to Council and the congregation Task Force members will: Solicit the congregation for ideas to address high priorities identified in Vital Signs Report Share these findings with church committees for their further review and implementation, as appropriate
Participant Demographics 6 Ages of Respondents Years of ELC Attendance 65+ 32.0% Below 19 2% 55-64 27% 19-24 1% 25-34 4% 35-44 12% 45-54 23% > 20 Years, 43% 16-20 Years, 10% < 1 Years, 5% 11-15 Years, 15% 1-2 Years, 8% 3-4 Years, 6% 5-10 Years, 14% 85% of Respondents > 45 years old 68% of Respondents > 11 years attendance Participants by Gender Male 31% - Female 69%
Key Priorities 7 Task Force is initially focusing on these two key priorities: How best to expand outreach ministries to those living on the margins of society? How best to attract new members and families to join the ELC family?
Key Indicators 8 Overall Satisfaction On the whole, I am satisfied with how things are in our church Cleary Agree 54% On the Fence 31% Cleary Disagree 15%! (benchmark Average ) Overall Energy This level indicates polarization and requires attention 3% is typical for most congregations 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 Cleary Agree 20% On the Fence 54% Cleary Disagree 26% (benchmark Average ) Value of Activity Beyond Worship On the whole, participation in church activities is very meaningful to me. Cleary Agree 59% On the Fence 33% Cleary Disagree 8% (benchmark Low )
Drivers or Focus 9 Drivers of Member Satisfaction (Clergy Focused) Driver #1) Our Pastor helps us accomplish our mission by bringing out the best in everyone. Driver #2) The worship services at our church are exceptional in both quality and spiritual content. Driver #3) Our Pastor is present in times of crisis. Driver #4) Our Pastor communicates with people in a way that keeps us informed and connected. Driver #5) Our Pastor articulates a clear vision for our church and keeps it before the people in a compelling way.
Drivers or Focus (cont d) 10 Drivers of Congregational Energy Driver #1) The whole spirit in our congregation makes people want to get as involved as possible. Driver #2) There is a disturbing amount of conflict in our congregation. Driver #3) The worship services at our church are exceptional in both quality and spiritual content. Driver #4) In preaching, our Pastor engages people with a message that enriches their lives in the world. Driver #5) Our Pastor communicates with people in a way that keeps us informed and connected.
ELC s Challenge is to Grow Towards a Transformational Congregation 11 Churches in Recovery require major changes in order to regain vitality Chaotic Transformational ELC needs to increase Energy and Satisfaction through changes C.A.T. Results show our congregation here in recovery Recovery Static Changing the drivers are likely to have significant impact on Satisfaction and Energy
C.A.T. Process Timeline (Church Assessment Tool ) 12 We have collected assessment data What does the data tell us? What changes move ELC towards High Energy / High Satisfaction Transformational Congregation? Assessment Vital Signs Russ Crabtree Data Analysis Task Force Advice, Insight Recommendations Potential Changes??? Implement Discipleship??? Implement Vision? Implement Org. Intelligence??? Changes Task Force Recommendations TRANSFORMATIONAL Started Oct 2013 June 2014 Late 2014, 2015, 2016 Task Force solicits feedback
Next Steps 13 Near Term 8 weeks Mid Term 5 months Longer Term 1-3 years Solicit Ideas (suggestion boxes and online) Meet with various committees for input/ideas Review feedback and refine goals Outline, prepare and submit recommendations Implementation of Potential Changes??? Implement clearer ELC vision and mission??? Implement ideas from committees and congregation??? Implement Organizational Intelligence???
Inquiries For Task Force 14 Thank You & Any Questions???