Christ Lutheran Church

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Ministry Site Profile

RESULTS - Congregational Survey – Part A (as of 2/19/10) N = 55

CHARACTERISTICS:

Please check either ‘a’ or ‘b’ from each set of items below, based upon which one you think best describes our congregation:

As a community….

a. _16___ We tend to be formal and programmatic, or

b. _38___ We tend to be informal and spontaneous

a. _39___ We have clearly defined goals and plans for our future

b. _11___ We have no stated goals or plans

a. _33___ We are racially and economically diverse

b. _20___ We are demographically homogeneous

Comments:

· I would love some more diversity in age, race, and economic background

· Informal yes; more well thought out than spontaneous

· We have a mission statement; we have been a formal worship church until recently

· If we have goals I’m not aware of them

· We try to be informal and spontaneous bit don’t do a lot to be informal except for Sunday school maybe?

· Christ cares, share the faith (when it is convenient)

· As a congregation we are dull, boring, and lifeless

· We need to state our goals

· Would like to see a combination of a & b in the first two above; not rigid on either

Our leadership style…

a. _28___ We welcome ideas that are provoking and challenging

b. _24___ We prefer ideas that are tried and true

a. _19___ We rely on our leaders for direction

b. _29___ We rely on group decision making

a. _37___ We have learned how to use conflict constructively

b. _15___ We tend to perceive conflict as something destructive

Comments:

· Leaders must be in touch with the attitudes of the congregation

· We work well at conflict and coming to agreement

· I’m not sure we have a leadership style; Pastor Schwartzkopf had no leadership skills

· Our leadership provides direction but the congregation makes the decisions

· We rely on leaders (if we have a leader) to do everything, especially if conflict or difference of opinion occurs

· It seems to me that anyone with good ideas and the desire to introduce new things is met by resentment

· We seem to be “stodgy old fogies”; leadership style needs changing; we need to get people involved. We should look at conflict constructively. We need to have our hands held to learn new ways – or else we’ll run away from the challenge!

· For the 2^nd set of a & b above, on major issues a group approval provides a good check & balance

Our programming…

a. _52___ Our facilities are often used by community groups

b. __0___ Our facilities are only used for our own activities

a. __16__ We train people to minister outside our walls

b. __24__ We train people to minister inside our walls

a. __34__ We focus on ideas and beliefs

b. __14__ We focus on skills and action

Comments:

· We’re not able to do many things due to low number of volunteers

· Don’t know; never been offered any training

· This church tends to reach out to the community in many ways with programs that support the needs in the area

· The children need more instruction on serving during worship service

· Our programming is rather hit and miss

· Newcomers and girl scouts

· I have not been offered any training

· We focus on skills and action only if someone steps up

· We can do both; where do we get the training? Are our ideas, skills, and actions not wanted or are we stuck on the belief of being spoon fed by our minister and council? New ideas and ways of looking at our beliefs and actions are needed. It says how we’re to act and serve in the Bible; are we afraid to do these things?

Our theological perspective…

a. _49___ We are obviously Lutheran in identity and practice

b. __2___ We are less obvious about our Lutheran heritage

a. _27___ We participate in synod & ELCA activities

b. _19___ We are not very active in the synod & ELCA

a. _38___ We focus on Biblical studies and doctrine

b. __9___ We focus on contemporary issues and topics

Comments:

· I want more liberal, flexible, and tolerant attitudes

· Keep them more traditional

· We relate to Biblical studies and doctrine as we discuss contemporary issues/topics

· We don’t focus on contemporary issues and topics as they are too scary for this congregation

· We have adult Sunday school but depend on the pastor to provide our theological lesson of the week during the sermon

· Would like to see more contemporary issues and topics discussed

· Our congregation seems to feel that contemporary topics and issues – and of course politics – all belong outside the church

PURPOSE, GIFTEDNESS, AND MISSION (use a separate piece of paper if additional space is needed):

Purpose…

How do we, as a congregation, understand our reason for being in light of God’s call to mission and service? Who are we? Why are we here?

· We give a lot to the community and world relief

· Servants of God and filled with the Holy Spirit

· Relatively conservative

· Decently active in the community for a church our size

· We are here to share the promises of God through faith and love

· We are a family of Christians who care for one another and believe in God’s grace

· We are here to both administer to our congregation and to reach out to other groups

· We minister to those in need through Ploughman’s, X-mas baskets, Red Cross blood drives, prayers, Lenten services, unmet needs committee

· Middle class Lutheran

· Provide a place for worship

· Bring Christ to others – outreach

· We tend to live our mission – Christ Cares, Share the Faith

· We are here to serve God, each other, and the community

· Strong people who love one another and give ourselves to one another

· There are many ways the members help one another, especially through prayer

· I don’t believe we know who we are or why we are here. Pastor S didn’t have the leadership skill or didn’t want to lead us to know what our mission is or why we are here

· I’m not sure that we do understand our reason. We are people who believe in Christianity and we are here because we prefer the ELCA way of worshipping

· As a congregation we reach out to the community to share our faith with others

· We provide community service in a number of ways

· We are here to share the faith with everyone with whom we come in contact and to serve and minister to all people

· Our mission statement sums up our understanding of who we are and why we are here; we are here to strengthen our Christian faith through a caring congregation, in order to share that faith with others

· We will help anyone who asks

· Our mission statement says it all

· God’s children – to spread the word of Christ

· We do more with money than action as it is easier; it’s hard enough to get our council members to attend our planned events

· It is our call as Lutheran Christians at CLC to have a home for God and a place of worship and fellowship for all that pleases God; this includes taking care of God’s home following our Lutheran beliefs and procedures, being a beacon of light for community needs, and ready and willing to help all others throughout the world that are less fortunate than we are

· We don’t’ discuss our purpose as a congregation and we should

· We are to reach out to others as a congregation by how we act, speak, and by letting others use our facilities

· We are a caring congregation

· We are here to be ministers of God

· To show God’s love to one another & the world through outreach

· To be of service to our church family and community with the talents and skills we each possess

· To make a difference, however small we might be

· We are a loving congregation that needs to be set on fire to make ourselves shine in this place and at this time

· We are here to nurture each other and give back to the community

· To share the light of Christ with those who don’t know Him.

· Provide support to people that have needs for food, clothing, etc.

· Invitation to non-members looking for a church home

Giftedness…

What are our gifts and resources for fulfilling this purpose? What are our top three assets and how are they being used? Are there obstacles that we need to overcome in order to use these gifts to accomplish our mission?

· Music program

· Fellowship

· Doctrine

· Gifts – diverse talents & personalities open to change

· Warm, accepting environment

· We seem to be a little “set in our way” and leave little room for new, innovative ideas

· Friendliness

· Openness

· Dedication

· Financial obstacles

· Congregation members and finances

· Talented council and support people; pastoral leadership

· The organization; building; operational structure

· Our warmth and friendliness as a congregation

· Our prayer chain and focus on those in need

· We are blessed to have strong leaders here. However, we need to find a way to encourage those who think they have little or nothing to offer to step up and volunteer

· Friendliness

· Intellectually stimulating

· In touch with community needs

· People

· Facilities

· Community

· Many step up to help

· Individual talents, skills, and financial resources

· Leadership by individuals, music, property upkeep

· Incorporate service of others

· People – we have many gifted people in this congregation, but not all talents are being used

· Facility – we have a nice facility that is not fully utilized

· Service – we have a traditional service; that is useful and what people are looking for an escape from traditional service (??)

· People

· Worship

· Talents

· Our resources have been wonderful leadership, intelligent people who want to serve God and the community

· We need to find a new pastor who is highly intelligent and giving and who is sensitive to and understanding of the needs of the individual as well as the whole

· Those who can help monetarily need to

· We need more numbers

· Music is a big asset

· Our best asset is our building and the people in the trenches that keep the congregation going. Pastor S was in retirement mode for 2-3 years before her retired. We have been stagnant too long

· We are a friendly, caring congregation that welcomes all to belong with us. Need to learn how to expand horizons to reach more people

· Our people, our faith, and our dedication to our Lord; we have many people with many gifts to share

· One of our greatest obstacles is being rejected when asking others to serve and not helping them to find another place to serve

· Gifts & resources are great church building and close knit, caring members

· Assets include talents among members (Amy!); member involvement; community outreach

· Obstacles: financial situation and openness to change

· Dedicated people willing to help others

· Openness to others

· Music – great choir

· Outreach – blood drive; LWR; Ploughman’s

· Our members

· We have people with such talent but we don’t connect with the community as we should

· We have people who have done good programs but have not trained someone else to move those programs forward

· The most important gift we have at Christ Lutheran is what we have received from the grace of God – a membership of loving and concerned members. Because if this there are no obstacles we can’t overcome

· Top three assets: we love God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit; we have a dedicated group of prayer warriors; we have the ideal setting in our church building to invite others to join us

· People are friendly and caring

· Wonderful worship service

· People pitch in

· Obstacles are that we are low in numbers and some people don’t like change

· Assets are nice building; friendly people; worship

· Need to increase numbers and youth volunteers

· There are many talents in this congregation – we have to get people excited about how to utilize those gifts and pull everyone together to accomplish our goals; should not just leave it up to the usual group

· Assets include our facility; an energetic interim pastor; a friendly congregation

· An obstacle is that we are stuck in the old ways of doing things

· Assets include our church building; our members; our location

· The blessings God has provided us: time; talents; and finances

Mission…

What should our top mission priorities be, which - if accomplished - hold the most promise for the continued development of this congregation’s ministry?

· Community happenings at our church

· Spreading His love & the gospel

· Our mission – Christ cares, share the faith; spread the gospel

· Grow the church

· Hold a place in the community

· Engage our youth

· Growth through outreach and service

· Outreach to the unchurched (believers who don’t have a church home and/or those who haven’t found Christ)

· To build our financial stability/to increase our tithes

· To do more in ministering to those in need of faith, friendship/do more outreach

· Relationship building internally and externally

· Outreach

· Continue as we had been

· Find a pastor that reflects our needs and does not implement so many changes

· Encourage more youth to join the church

· Local assistance to the needy; physical, mental, and spiritual

· We love and give until it sometimes hurts

· Teach the children

· Show concern for all members and reach out to others in need of help

· What is our mission? Is it some multi-sentenced item that makes no sense but looks great on paper?

· Bring in more members that will work and not just be Sunday or holiday Christians; we need more younger workers

· Reach into the community to include in our activities and worship

· Outreach to the unchurched or underchurched in our congregation and our community

· A vibrant youth, family, and multigenerational ministry needs to be a priority

· Continue to grow

· Become more visible in the community

· Attract and support youth

· Outreach to Quincy community

· Visibility needs to be better

· Growth

· We need to start programs and remain consistent

· To find a pastor just like Pastor Balaban; he a breathed fresh air into this church and I enjoy him A LOT!!

· Continue to promote our church as a loving and giving congregation where the needs of our own and others are attempted to be met and where we have a congregation who thanks and loves our God and Father, and his son and our savior Jesus Christ, for our many blessings and the abilities we have to be a beacon for all God’s people

· Getting God’s words out to every possible person in Quincy & beyond; we need to attend church & really receive our pastor’s words and then give of ourselves tirelessly

· Get more young people wanting to know Christ

· Even though the majority of citizens in our town have Jesus and possibly a home church, we’ve got to get out and search for all the people who do not know Him

· Building up our congregation – mainly our youth

· We could do more mission work and service projects if we had more youth

· Engage youth

· Reach out to visitors in order to keep them coming back

· Growing membership

· Becoming more visible in the community

· To continue to reach out and interact with the Quincy community

· Invite someone to church

· Read the Bible 3 minutes daily

· Outreach to the less fortunate; Christ Cares, Share the Faith!