In summer of 2005, the Rector and Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Austin, TX, formed a Visioning Task Group (VTG) and charged the group with the task of determining a Vision for St. John’s. The St. John’s Vision is intended to be a plan, based on congregational needs and resources, for developing an infrastructure that can support the anticipated growth of the congregation.

Members of the Visioning Task Group were selected to represent the diversity of the congregation. Some of the task group members were fairly new to the congregation; some had been members of the congregation for many years.

The VTG met in a series of meetings over the summer of 2005 to determine a plan of action. To date, the VTG’s primary focus has been on taking the pulse of the congregation on all areas of church life: Worship, Fellowship, Evangelism, Communications, Outreach, Youth, Children, Christian Formation, Fundraising, etc. Two tools were developed to engage the congregation: an Online survey, and a set of focus group discussions in which a facilator led interested parties through a series of questions on a particular aspect of church life.

This initial report from the VTG is a summary of the information gathered through those methods. It is a first step in developing a plan of action that should ultimately include a list of congregational priorities, objectives, recommendations and required resources for the Vestry to consider. In the initial distribution of the data/information, the VTG makes a first pass at:

· providing context for the data (i.e., who we are as a congregation);

· identifying major themes and concerns of the congregation;

· including suggestions from the congregation on addressing the major themes and concerns.

Although major evaluation of the data has yet been done – some initial priorities become clear by reviewing the results of the survey and the focus groups. When possible, the VTG has identified these priorities.

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

SURVEY RESULTS

DATA RESPONSE SUMMARY

OPEN-ENDED RESPONSES

I. Who Are We?

97 individuals responded to the survey. By design, the respondents may represent members of the same household, including children, who chose to participate.

Age Demographics

We are a mature group, with 93% of the respondents over the age of 30. This is a particularly interesting finding in that the survey and focus group responses indicate a marked preference by the congregation to evangelistically target families with young children. There are a number of recommendations to put resources into children/youth programs and Christian formation, as well. As a target group, families with young children are currently underserved within the St. John’s community, and we do not have a good sense of what programs will appeal to this demographic.

Responses to the question: “How many children in your care?” indicate St. John’s has a solid number of pre-teens and teens (23), but a lower number of children between 0 – 9 (15). These numbers are currently not reflected in our Christian Ed programs.

Age	Number	Age	Number
1	2	10	3
2	1	11	1
3	2	12	3
4	2	13	4
5	0	14	5
6	1	15	2
7	0	16	1
8	4	17	4
9	0	18	3

How Long Have We Attended St. Johns?

The chart below summarizes how long we have been members at St. John’s, and provides one of the most interesting and exciting demographics of the survey results. We have a real balance between members who have been at St. John’s for more than 10 years (50%) and members who have been at St. John’s for less than 5 years (37%). We have, within the congregation, both depth and breadth of experience with our church and its history, and the outside experiences and fresh ideas that are brought by our newer members of the congregation. It’s a demographic that can mean the capacity for real growth and development as a congregation. It underscores the need for all members to be included in the development of the new infrastructure – so that new leaders will emerge and be developed.

ST JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

SURVEY RESULTS

I. CHURCH COMMUNICATION ISSUES

A. Themes/Concerns

· Even a cursory glance at the data yields a fairly unambigous result in the area of communication. In the survey question that dealt with program satisfaction. 51% of the respondents said that they did not know enough about our children’s Christian education program to rate their satisfaction with the program; 40% of respondents didn’t know enough about adult Christian education to rate it; 52% about youth ministry; 31% about outreach programs; 38% about what we are doing for evangelism; 25% about our stewardship programs; 19% about pastoral care and fellowship.

· Responses to open-ended questions indicated a general desire for better communication on the programs and offerings of the church, including such things as outside lectures (e.g., Rabbi Monty series), children and youth programs, and how to get involved in ministries. There was also a recommendation that the use of incense be communicated in advance for those with allergies and asthma.

· A third general theme related to the need for frequent communication about St. John’s financial matters.

· Although this section may not be the best fit, there is, among the open-ended responses throughout the survey, a recurrent theme of leadership, including financial leadership – how to develop it, how to recognize it, how to utilize it, and where it might emerge.

B. Suggestions from Congregation

· The VTG recommends, based on the responses to the survey and in the focus groups, that a Communications Committee be established and maintained for St. John’s. This would represent a high priority on the emerging Visioning plan.

· Additional comments in several areas (outreach, fellowship, evangelism) spoke to a desire for opportunities to communicate informally (i.e., providing forums for folks to visit, to get to know one another, to share ideas that could benefit the church). One specific recommendation was for rotating foyer dinners whose makeup changed regularly.

II. WORSHIP ISSUES

A. Themes/Concerns

· Survey data indicates a fairly high satisfaction rating for our Worship Life (90% rated it a 3 or higher on a scale of 1 – 5). There was support voiced for both our more traditional forms of music and worship and less formal services with different musical formats.

· As a congregation, we generally prefer the 10:30 service on Sunday (68%); however, 15% attend the Saturday 5:30 service and 13% attend the 8:00 Sunday service. This indicates that a significant targeted population is being served by each of these different types of service; and provides support for the current plans to develop an additional service to appeal to another target group: families with children.

· Some concern was voiced that the new service might make Sunday feel rushed or that it would draw its base from the existing Sunday 10:30 service. This would be something that we would want to address as we roll out the new service.

B. Suggestions from Congregation

· Within the open-ended responses, there is an appeal for a service that is “kid-friendly,” perhaps a scaled-down family/children’s service, incorporating readings, prayers and a sermon that is told in a way children understand, or having an interactive family service. The rector might consider this general theme in developing the new alternative praise and prayer service.

· A request for music at the Saturday night service

III CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ISSUES

A. Themes/Concerns

· In the survey comments, there was a recurrent theme that Christian Formation should be at the heart of what we offer as a Parish. Christian formation “is the exposure to those values that make everyone a child of God, and everyone a citizen in His Kingdom.” Adult Christian education “is the way that adults are strengthened spiritually and [how they are able to continually] be near God.”

· 59% of respondents indicated that they have time to regularly attend Christian Education Classes. This would put the goal for regular Christian Formation attendees at approximately 50 each week. Most of those folks (55%) would prefer to attend on Sundays; but a significant group (31%) would like to see weekday evening classes offered. Offering different types of classes (e.g., informal member-led or seminarian-led classes during the week) could extend St. John’s resources.

Adult Christian Education

· Of the 8 different types of Adult Christian Formation opportunities listed in the survey, parishioners were particularly drawn to opportunities for spiritual development and bible studies. There was medium level support for topics on relationships and family life, current event and social issues, church/Episcopal history, and evangelism.

· There is significant support (45%) for interactive classes that could include interactive bible study, open-ended discussions, etc. 41% of respondents would like to see additional guest speakers, including our part-time clergy and seminarians, take part in Christian Ed classes.

Children/Youth Christian Education

In regards to Children’s and Youth Christian Education, several themes emerge:

· The quality of the children’s Christian Education program is a major factor in parents attending church with their children. On a scale of 1 – 5, 75% of respondents rated this 3 or higher in ranking why they would attend church.

· To be successful, the children’s Christian Education must attain a critical mass of children. Growing the program through an evangelistic focus on families with young children needs to be a priority. On a scale of 1 – 5, 75% of respondents rated the opinion of their children on their church experience 3 or higher in ranking why they would attend church. 68% indicate that the number of children at or near their child’s age is a critical factor.

· The inclusion of up-to-date/contemporary teaching aids and curriculum is a priority for the respondents, as well as opportunities for children and youth bible studies. (“It should be possible to teach those hoary old bible stories and make them seem as if these were actual humans this stuff happened to, shouldn’t it?”) These types of programs will be good evangelism tools to draw families with children and to build quality programs. The implication is that St. John’s needs to put resources into strong, effective Christian education programs for the youth and children.

B. Suggestions from Congregation

Adult Education

· There were a variety of recommendations for potential Christian Education topics: Family-related values, political issues on creationism and intelligent design, discussions on pastoral care, world-religion comparisons, Celtic Church, application of Christian Education in everyday life, “Novel Theology” – reading a modern novel from a Christian viewpoint, watching and discussing films.

Children/Youth Education

· Make sure that our services are child/family friendly; provide basic bible study aids for kids to develop as they grow; teach Sunday school songs; help our children learn traditions; provide age-appropriate activities.

· Until our programs have reached critical mass, consider activities with other Austin churches, perhaps consider ecumenical opportunities for Christian formation.

· Encourage members to bring their children to Christian education.

· Increase the number of volunteers in the Christian education program.

IV EVANGELISM/COMMUNITY BUILDING ISSUES

A. Themes/Concerns

For the purposes of the survey/focus groups, this category includes the outreach and evangelism programs, as well as parish life/fellowship/pastoral care.

Outreach

· The respondents showed a marked preference for outreach that impacts the St. John’s immediate neighborhood, and made several recommendations to canvas the neighborhood to see what programs are really needed.

· There is also an indication in the survey data, although not as marked, that respondents support the concept of focusing on one or two main outreach efforts over a greater number of smaller outreach programs. In both the comments and the responses to the survey, we come away with a general sense that our Outreach program consists primarily of individual efforts, and that the church needs to be careful not to overextend. There seems to be general support for a unified, organized Outreach program that is well-funded and requires annual review of how well it is achieving the stated goals.

· There is a concurrent theme that St. John’s may not be large enough to sustain an extensive Outreach program; and that we throw our resources in with other churches and organizations to accomplish our goals.

Evangelism

· Like the focus group information, the survey served up a solid recommendation for stronger newcomer integration programs. There was also support demonstrated for encouraging members to invite friends and neighbors, sponsoring church social activities, and developing an alternative non-traditional family service.

· There were some gentle reminders that we must remain focused not on the size of the church, but on the lives transformed. And, that there is room for the people who come to worship only – they will grow into participation with time and encouragement.

Parish Fellowship

· Within the survey, respondents indicated a preference for ongoing/recurring activities; however the recommendations in the open-ended responses spoke to a range of activities, both recurring and not. The primary connecting theme is to provide opportunities for members to know one another in a variety of settings, and not just on a “greet on Sunday” basis.

B. Suggestions from Congregation

Outreach

· There were a large number of individual recommendations for Outreach programs, including neighborhood bible and life skill classes, email campaigns for social justice issues, Habitat for Humanity, visiting the aged and poor on a regular basis, prison ministry, homeless ministry, hosting a St. John’s Scout Troop doing non-profit work, refugee assistance, ESL, affordable day care, single parenting, addiction, and the use of St. John’s facilities for community outreach events.

Evangelism

· Like Outreach, there were a number of recommendations for consideration. Purchasing a van to bring seniors and/or neighborhood children to St. John’s activities; opening facilities to community events; “Saturday Night Out” event for couples with childcare available, rebuilding the playground; and a plan for the remaining land that would accommodate neighborhood and community use (e.g., community center); maintaining an updated Parish directory.

· There is a single very provocative comment that suggested that we, as a congregation, are very homogeneous (lifestyles, cars, houses, jobs), and that perhaps we have ‘watered down Jesus’ to conform to the current age. Perhaps to draw people to St. John’s, we must have a bold message.

· From another: our diversity of ethnicity, intellectual thought and churchedness is a drawing card.

· From many: We need to first “get excited and excite each other and fill our hearts with the Spirit,” and to establish a sense of mission in ourselves before we can be effective evangelists.

Fellowship

· Fellowship recommendation included a large variety of recommendations, including card parties, picnics, family gatherings, small group fellowship and cell groups, rotating foyer dinners, better publication of coffee hour, and advertising of events in a very public way (e.g., a bulletin board).

V YOUTH MINISTRY ISSUES

A. Themes/Concerns

· The respondents considered nearly all of the proposed components of a Youth Ministry to be important; but demonstrated particular support for Christian Education tailored to teens, gatherings aimed at developing spirituality, participation in larger youth gatherings/retreats, and incorporating the youth into other ministries and programs within the church.

· Although there were several acknowledgements that a paid youth minister would be helpful in creating and sustaining a strong youth program (“the youth minister brings the kids together and makes them feel an important part of the church”), it was not the top priority according to the survey data, and several comments indicated that respondents felt a strong youth program was not dependent on a paid youth minister.

· There was medium level support for separate activities for teenagers and pre-teens, but it wasn’t the respondents’ highest priority.

B. Suggestions from Congregation

· Provide opportunities for foundational Christian development (bible studies, Christian formation, Christian values, how to lead a Christian life); make sure the youth program has spiritual components.

· Use Diocesan resources that complement the community

· In absence of a youth minister, engage a number of enthusiastic volunteers

· Provide opportunities for the youth to mentor the children

· Engage in real-world discussions about things that matter to teenagers

· Provide multiple viewpoints

· Incorporate community service/mission trips as part of youth stewardship

VI STEWARDSHIP/FUNDRAISING ISSUES

A. Themes/Concerns

· The general concensus on fundraising appears to be that there should be one or two major fundraisers, with perhaps smaller fundraisers for specific purposes (e.g., the air conditioning), as needed. The manpower and energy to organize large fundraisers takes energy away from other church activities.

· In the commentary, there is a recurring theme that fundraising should not be relied on extensively or longterm to manage the operating budget; but is effective when used to address particular needs. There is an openness to additional Stewardship education in tithing and other forms of giving, as well as a recommendation that focusing on Outreach and Evangelistic efforts (excitement about mission) will draw more new members into the community, reducing the need for fundraisers.

· There is also a general theme that fundraising needs to be directed externally, be planned well in advance, advertised, and target things that draw the general public. In this way, the fundraisers also become evangelistic tools.

B. Suggestions from Congregation

Many recommendations, including:

· yard sales, festivals, crafts fairs, craft sales at church convention

· raffles/drawings for donated items (weekends away, gift certificates, dinners, movies)

· carwash (youth involved)

· bakesales, spaghetti suppers, chicken dinners, Lenten fish fry,

· engage outside activities at St. John’s with either rental fees or free will offerings

· engage new members in fundraising activities

· church store

· bingo

ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

FOCUS GROUP RESULTS

I. CHURCH COMMUNICATION ISSUES

A. Focus Group Themes/Concerns

Participants stated they were having problems receiving timely information on a variety of parish matters, including important events such as the death of a parishioner or changes in service times.

Participants expressed a desire to have a better understanding about how and why decisions were being made concerning church operational and financial issues, as well as a clearer understanding of the church's financial status.

Participants wanted clearer and more effective communication regarding Christian education offerings and schedules for youth and adults.

Church volunteers, particularly youth, perceive that feedback on their efforts focuses more on criticism than encouragement.

B. Focus Group Suggestions

· Constant reinforcement of communication by different media is needed, and continuing reminders to parishioners of the communications that are being made to them.

· Alternative forms of communications should be developed for parishioners without email; telephone contact team.

· Communication by newsletter and pew bulletin should be continued.

· Periodic reports summary reports should be provided on the church's financial condition (number of people pledging, percentage of pledge receipts received). In other words, the reports should put the focus on how the financial condition is the outcome of the parishioners' participation in financial supports.

· A summary budget versus actual receipts versus actual expenditures report should be included in the monthly newsletter to remind parishioners of the need to keep financial commitments up to date.

· Event reminders should be sent out during the month as an event approaches.

· A highly visible and well organized bulletin board should be a clearinghouse for important communications.

· There should be an easel type bulletin board in the narthex with announcement of events upcoming in the short term.

· More advanced communications on children's and adult Christian Education should be provided. A quarterly or yearly calendar should be developed and provided. All classes ongoing should be listed in the newsletter.

II. WORSHIP ISSUES

A. Focus Group Themes/Concerns

Our worship service is an evangelism tool. We should consider adapting our services to serve that objective.

Our services are losing their contemplative aspect.

Our services do not offer enough for youth, who often (not always) find sermons in particular to be dry and not relevant to their lives.

Our worship services lack variety.

Music in our services should not be for entertainment, but instead to enhance the worship.

B. Focus Group Suggestions

St. John's should offer both "formal/traditional" and "informal/contemporary" services. Half of the focus group discussing this issue would attend the latter type of services.

Develop some youth-friendly aspects to sermons, address both the content of the sermons (topics youth can relate to) and the delivery of the sermons (intellectual lectures don't work).

III. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ISSUES

A. Focus Group Themes/Concerns

There was a vague dissatisfaction expressed with adult education offerings, not clear what is missing other than a need for better notice and reminders of upcoming/ongoing classes.

We need to review how to place Christian Education classes on Sundays in light of addition of new service.

Decrease in attendance by children a major concern. Program must be changed to remedy this trend. Advertising, curriculum, teacher training all need to be addressed.

Communication of class offerings/schedules, see section I. above.

There should be more varied times for taking adult education classes.

We need to reexamine and revamp the content of our Christian Education (adult and youth) to make them relevant to current life situations. Focus should be on families.

We need to put more financial resources into Christian Education.

B. Focus Group Suggestions

Charge a fee for Christian Education, or commit more of church budget.

Improved communications/advertisement, see Section I. above.

Tie-in bible study to upcoming church service.

Utilize all available clergy plus seminarians to staff Christian Education.

Some prefer series of classes addressing a special topic, others prefer ongoing class.

Consider alternatives to Sunday for adult bible study or other class, morning or lunch classes a possibility.

Design an adult education program that will appeal to our target newcomer audience.

Montesori-based curriculum can be used to teach young children the liturgy. They are able, through play, to take part in all aspects of the liturgy.

Grass roots effort by parishioners to use Sunday school as a reason to invite their neighbors' children to church.

Develop church grounds (master plan) to have children's play area.

Children's activities (plays) need to be planned to attract kids to church.

IV. EVANGELISM/COMMUNITY BUILDING ISSUES

A. Focus Group Themes/Concerns

St. John's needs to develop programs/strategies to build community with newcomers

St. John's needs to determine what type of church we want to be (neighborhood, young singles/families, immigrant, etc) and adapt its evangelism program accordingly. We need to identify programs that appeal to our target audience.

We should target young couples, newly married or with young children.

Neighborhood east and south of church should be a "secondary" evangelism target.

Existing community building programs (DOK, WOW, potlucks etc.) are good, but we depend too much on a few individuals to make them happen.

We need to develop more congregational awareness of being "outward seeking," attending to newcomers, process should be deliberate and intentional. The effort needs to be consistent and ongoing.

We need to develop an awareness of what newcomers are looking for in a church. Research and identify programs that are attractive to the folks we want to attract.

B. Focus Group Suggestions

Program suggestions to appeal to newcomers included: 1) interdisciplinary classes that deal with the intersection of different faiths and spiritual paths; 2) focus on spiritual development; 3) activities that attract participation from surrounding community.

Newcomer welcome could include: 1) welcome packet; 2) shepherd program; 3) identify and welcome visitors at service and coffee hour; 4) two part visitor badges with part to put name on and part to fill out information; 5) welcome wagon/welcoming committee; 6) greeter/usher emphasis on interaction with newcomers.

Use unifying outreach program to build community with members and newcomers (e.g., Habitat for Humanity)

Consider other types of outings to build community (retreats, picnics, adult night)

Programs attractive to a 20-30 year old/young married demographic could include: 1) groups that address their issues, such as parenting groups; 2) babysitting for all parish activities; 3) Parent's night out with lock-in/children's activities at church; 4) mid-week bible study with childcare; 5) outreach to families in crisis (e.g., divorce); 5) involving youth in worship service is attractive to parents (not just acolytes)

Life skills, community integration activities such as "neighbor to neighbor" could be good for immigrant outreach.

V. YOUTH MINISTRY ISSUES

A. Focus Group Themes/Concerns

See discussion above regarding Worship Issues (relative attractiveness of service for Youth) and Communication Issues (more emphasis on building up rather than criticizing, i.e., "lighten up," adults).

Youth enjoy being part of church family and would usually come to church even if given a choice to stay home. They would like more opportunity for input into this decision.

Youth would like to invite friends to church, but wonder what the attractiveness of the invitation would be.

They miss the playscape and have the impression that restoration of the playscape was supposed to be an element of the construction of the new church. Playscape can be a center of activity for the very young and a way for older kids to interact with the younger ones.

Playscape absence the number one concern, unsuitability of current service for Youth number 2

B. Focus Group Suggestions

· "Teens Encounter Christ" and "Youth Outings/Lockins" suggested as possible ways to evangelize/build community with Youth.

· Programs for teens on weekends, sponsorship of convocational activity, or interdenominational activity suggested as program to appeal to "20-30 year old demographic.

VI. STEWARDSHIP/FUNDRAISING ISSUES

A. Focus Group Themes/Concerns

Focus group raised concern over funding major unanticipated maintenance projects. Asking for special donations as with the A/C repair may wear out its welcome if it occurs too often.

Group did support fund raising efforts outside of pledging with reasonable limits on the number of such events. Parish hall and grounds are a valuable resource in this respect.

B. Focus Group Suggestions

Group gave some support to establishment of a permanent maintenance fund to be added to on a regular basis.

Consider limiting fund raising to one or two major events a year instead of labor intensive smaller events. (Possible events included festivals, dinners, sale of bar-b-q plates, music concerts).

St. James choir mentioned as a possible partner in these activities.

APPENDIX

Survey Data Summary Tables

Question #1

Question #2

Question #3

Question #5

How well are you satisfied with the following programs worship and ministries at St. John’s ? (1 is the lowest ranking and 5 is the highest ranking).
		1		2		3		4		5		Don’t Know Enough	Response Average
Our Christian education for children	4%	4	14%	13	14%	13	8%	7	5%	5	51%	46	4.52
Our Christian education for adults	2%	2	4%	4	21%	19	21%	19	7%	6	40%	36	4.52
Our youth ministry	10%	9	7%	6	13%	12	9%	8	5%	5	52%	47	4.55
Our worship life	1%	1	3%	3	15%	14	32%	29	37%	34	8%	7	4.28
Our music program	3%	3	4%	4	23%	21	26%	24	29%	26	11%	10	4.09
Our communications	1%	1	14%	13	19%	17	31%	28	23%	21	10%	9	3.92
Our outreach to the needy	0%	0	13%	12	19%	17	20%	18	12%	11	31%	28	4.3
Our evangelism to the un-churched	9%	8	19%	17	14%	13	9%	8	5%	5	38%	35	4.05
Our stewardship	7%	6	7%	6	10%	9	31%	28	15%	14	25%	23	4.24
Our pastoral care and fellowship	1%	1	4%	4	13%	12	31%	28	26%	24	19%	17	4.41
Total Respondents													91
(skipped the question)													(7%)6

Question #7

What would you prefer to see included as part of St. John’s adult Christian Education program? You may mark as many as you wish. (1 is least important and 5 is most important)
		1		2		3		4		5	Response Average
More Bible Study	5%	4	13%	10	16%	13	35%	28	22%	17	3.61
Church History / Episcopal Church background	9%	7	19%	15	23%	18	29%	23	13%	10	3.19
Current Events / Topics	9%	7	14%	11	29%	23	18%	14	19%	15	3.27
Current social issues / controversies	8%	6	13%	10	28%	22	24%	19	19%	15	3.38
Relationships – Family Life	5%	4	6%	5	34%	27	27%	21	13%	10	3.42
Child rearing /parenting	14%	11	19%	15	34%	27	9%	7	6%	5	2.69
Spiritual Development	3%	2	3%	2	19%	15	34%	27	37%	29	4.05
Evangelism	10%	8	6%	5	37%	29	16%	13	15%	12	3.24
Total Respondents											79
(skipped this question)											(23%)18

Question #8

Question #9

Question #11

Rank the following components in terms of their importance to you. (1 is least important and 5 is most important)
		1		2		3		4		5	Response Average
More Bible classes	14%	10	14%	10	25%	18	19%	14	27%	20	3.33
Audio visual presentations	16%	12	16%	12	25%	18	25%	18	12%	9	3
Field trips	25%	18	16%	12	19%	14	25%	18	10%	7	2.77
Vacation Bible School	22%	16	11%	8	26%	19	25%	18	8%	6	2.85
Arts and crafts	27%	20	23%	17	27%	20	10%	7	3%	2	2.3
Pageants / plays	25%	18	19%	14	26%	19	15%	11	7%	5	2.57
Up-to-date / contemporary teaching aids	11%	8	8%	6	16%	12	32%	23	29%	21	3.61
Total Respondents											73
(skipped this question)											(33%)24

Question #12

Question #14

Rank the following items in terms of their importance to you in attending church with your children (1 is least important 5 is most important).
		1		2		3		4		5	Response Average
Availability of Nursery care	53%	25	2%	1	11%	5	13%	6	15%	7	2.3
Opinion of your children about church experience	21%	10	2%	1	21%	10	28%	13	23%	11	3.31
Quality of Christian Education for your children	21%	10	2%	1	19%	9	23%	11	30%	14	3.4
Availability of special events for your children at church	23%	11	9%	4	34%	16	19%	9	15%	7	2.94
Quality of youth outings/activities	21%	10	9%	4	28%	13	17%	8	23%	11	3.13
Number of children who are my child’s age	21%	10	9%	4	17%	8	21%	10	26%	12	3.23
Total Respondents											47
(skipped this question)											(94%)50

Question #16

Rank the following components of a teenager Youth Ministry program in terms of their importance to you. (1 is least important and 5 is most important)
		1		2		3		4		5	Response Average
Separate groups for middle school and high school ages	17%	11	9%	6	14%	9	30%	19	27%	17	3.4
Paid youth minister	23%	15	17%	11	14%	9	19%	12	16%	10	2.84
Participation in larger youth gatherings/retreats	11%	7	5%	3	20%	13	27%	17	33%	21	3.69
Community service/mission trips	9%	6	3%	2	19%	12	28%	18	38%	24	3.84
Fun outings	9%	6	3%	2	23%	15	34%	22	25%	16	3.66
Gatherings aimed at developing spirituality	8%	5	5%	3	14%	9	38%	24	34%	22	3.87
Christian Education tailored to teens	6%	4	0%	0	14%	9	30%	19	47%	30	4.15
Incorporate youth in other church ministries/programs	6%	4	3%	2	22%	14	31%	20	34%	22	3.87
Total Respondents											64
(skipped this question)											(52%)33

Question #18

Rank how important the following current (or potential future) Outreach events are to you. (1 is least important 7 is most important)
			1		2		3		4		5		6		7	Response Average
Care for the aged and infirm such as nursing home ministry North Central Caregivers	0%	0		6%	5	8%	6	24%	19	30%	24	13%	10	20%	16	4.95
Poverty hunger relief such as raising money and donations for St. John’s Community Center holiday gift boxes	0%	0		5%	4	9%	7	23%	18	23%	18	18%	14	23%	18	5.08
Homeless ministry	8%	6		14%	11	16%	13	20%	16	21%	17	11%	9	9%	7	4.04
Immigrant ministry such as English as a Second Language classes	6%	5		11%	9	14%	11	19%	15	21%	17	13%	10	10%	8	4.23
Programs to help others help themselves like Habitat for Humanity	0%	0		5%	4	9%	7	13%	10	31%	25	24%	19	16%	13	5.12
Mother’s Day Out; day care program	21%	17		5%	4	13%	10	13%	10	25%	20	16%	13	6%	5	3.9
Health screenings & education	9%	7		14%	11	13%	10	16%	13	25%	20	11%	9	6%	5	4
Total Respondents																80
(skipped this question)																(21%)17

Question #20

Rank the following approaches to a parish outreach as more or less important to you. (1 is least important and 5 is most important)
		1		2		3		4		5	Response Average
Outreach that impacts our immediate neighborhood	0%	0	6%	5	18%	14	37%	29	37%	29	4.06
Outreach that extends into the wider community or the world	5%	4	16%	13	34%	27	20%	16	18%	14	3.31
One or two main outreach efforts for whole congregation	1%	1	13%	10	20%	16	32%	25	27%	21	3.75
A larger number of smaller outreach programs	19%	15	20%	16	27%	21	15%	12	10%	8	2.75
Total Respondents											79
(skipped this question)											(23%)18

Question #22

Which of the following do you think would be effective at St. John’s to encourage church growth? Mark as many as you wish. (1 is least effective 5 is most effective)
		1		2		3		4		5	Response Average
Campaign aimed at non-Episcopalians unchurched	5%	4	16%	13	25%	20	30%	24	14%	11	3.35
Newspaper advertising	14%	11	20%	16	26%	21	23%	18	9%	7	2.92
Canvassing area residents apartments etc.	9%	7	24%	19	31%	25	20%	16	5%	4	2.87
Encourage members to invite friends and neighbors	1%	1	6%	5	24%	19	29%	23	39%	31	3.99
A new non-traditional (Prayer and Praise) family service	13%	10	6%	5	24%	19	14%	11	34%	27	3.56
Small group Bible Study cell groups	8%	6	13%	10	35%	28	18%	14	16%	13	3.25
Church-sponsored social activities (e.g. baseball team Singles)	8%	6	10%	8	21%	17	34%	27	21%	17	3.55
Develop opportunities for newcomers to meet parishioners	0%	0	4%	3	8%	6	39%	31	46%	37	4.32
Total Respondents											80
(skipped this question)											(22%)17

Question #24

Rank the following in promoting fellowship among St. John’s parishioners: (1 is least important 5 is most important)
		1		2		3		4		5	Response Average
Recurring groups/activities	0%	0	9%	7	16%	13	32%	25	37%	29	4.03
One time special events that are not repeated	13%	10	10%	8	35%	28	22%	17	10%	8	3.07
Potluck gatherings simply for sharing fellowship	3%	2	3%	2	22%	17	35%	28	30%	24	3.96
Potluck gatherings with some kind of special entertainment/program	3%	2

INITIAL RESULTS OF VISIONING EXERCISES

VISIONING TASK GROUP

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

I. Who Are We?

Age Demographics

How Long Have We Attended St. Johns?

Adult Education

IV EVANGELISM/COMMUNITY BUILDING ISSUES

ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH