st. matthew’s episcopal church: congregation survey...
TRANSCRIPT
ST. Matthew’s Episcopal Church:
Congregation Survey Highlights
REV: June 6, 2014
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
2
“I have no desire to make window’s into men’s souls.” (Queen Elizabeth I - 16 January, 1559)
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
Table of Contents
3
Introduction page 4
Methodology page 5
The Sample page 6
Reader Notes page 7
Parishioners’ Backgrounds page 8
The Worship Service page 15
Activities at St. Matthew’s page 17
The Buzz on St. Matthew’s page 22
St. Matthew’s Core Values page 28
Getting Involved at St. Matthew’s page 32
Excitement / Concern / Hope page 34
Appendix: Questionnaire/Cover Letter page 38
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
Introduction
In April, 2014, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church continued in its
process of self-reflection with a congregation-wide survey of
members.
This ongoing dialogue is at the heart of St. Matthew’s discernment
as we determine:
what is most important to us a parish,
who we see ourselves to be today, and
who we believe God is inviting us to become.
The Mission/Vision Survey on which this report is based consisted
of two parts:
initial, qualitative interviews among a very small number of congregants which
helped in designing
a more comprehensive quantitative mail and internet survey among all members.
4
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
Methodology
■ For the initial qualitative telephone interviews, respondents were
recruited from the St. Matthew’s compilation of adult membership.
Respondents were solicited to participate in a 15-30 minute conversation.
Of the twelve congregants initially contacted, nine participated.
■ For the quantitative second phase, parishioners were contacted by email
invitation or regular post to answer an estimated 10-15 minutes of
questions.
274 congregants received invitations.
66 individuals completed the survey.
5
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
The Sample
6
■ The maximum standard error range for a sample of 66 respondents is +10.5%.
If 100 different samples of 66 individuals each were randomly drawn from the population of all those in the congregation, 95 times out of 100 the total results obtained would vary no more than +10.5 percentage points from the results that would be obtained if the entire population base were surveyed. This is substantially more precise than a typical sample of this size as the
responding sample is such a large proportion of the universe from which it is drawn..
Statistically significant differences across subgroups of parishioners or across questions will be noted throughout the report. Other findings should be considered directional.
±0.00%±1.00%±2.00%±3.00%±4.00%±5.00%±6.00%±7.00%±8.00%±9.00%
±10.00%±11.00%
Ma
rg
in o
f E
rro
r
Sample Size
Margin of Error as Function of Sample Size (assuming a universe X20)
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
Readers’ Note
7
Actual question wordings are in italics in the footnote of each slide; the bases of
respondents from which data are derived also are in the footnote.
Throughout the final report salient comparisons and contrasts across segments will
be highlighted.
Where there are statistically significant differences* across segments, these will be
presented. This is true for reporting statistical means as well as top box or bottom box differences.
“Top/bottom box” analyses separately look at the highest or lowest ratings, for instance, on
attitude scales – top of 4,5 on a 5-point scale.
These “analyses of extremes” can be helpful in highlighting “fans”(top) or “detractors”(bottom).
Statistical means most commonly are reported, but medians also will be reported when
their inclusion helps to highlight cases of skewed distributions or outliers.
Where differences across segments are not noted for a given question, this should be
taken to imply that there are no significant differences.
*Statistical significance is calculated using the Difference of Proportions Test or the t-Test < .05 level.
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
2%
27%
71%
Parishioner Characteristics
■ Fully 71% of parishioners have
completed a graduate degree;
■ 27% have an undergrad degree;
■ The balance has attended some
college.
■ Three of four responding to the
survey are women.
■ The average tenure of a parishioner
is 19 years.
■ The median is closer to 13 years.
■ The shortest is one year;
■ And the greatest tenure is 81 years.
9
N=66
48-“What is the highest level of education you have completed?”
51-”Please indicate your gender.”
1-“First, how long have you been a member of St. Matthew's?.”
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
College
Degree
Some College
Post-Graduate
(St. Matthew’s has a highly educated congregation…who are there for the long run. )
Parishioner Characteristics
■ A majority of parishioners are
employed full-time (42%) or
are self-employed (14%);
■ One in ten is employed part-
time (11%);
■ 5% are stay at home parents
of children; and
■ Slightly more than one
quarter (27%) are retired.
10
N=66
46-“Which of the following best describes your employment status? ”
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
42%
11%
14%
5%
27%
Full-Time Retired
Self-Employed Part-Time
At Home
Parent
(Two of three St. Mathew’s congregants are still in the work force. )
Parishioners’ Children
■ One in ten (10%) parish
households report children in
preschool or grade school;
■ More than one in five (21%)
have middle schoolers;
■ 12% report high school
students;
■ About 6% have college age
students; and
■ About half (51%) are true
“empty nesters.”
11
N=66
49-“ How many children do you currently have in___?”
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
1 2 3 4 5
9%
21%
12%
6%
51%
< G
rad
e S
ch
oo
l
Mid
dle
Sc
ho
ol
Hig
h S
ch
oo
l
Co
lle
ge
No
Mo
re T
uit
ion
(Half of congregants are still raising children; the plurality are in grade 6 through 8. )
What Has Attracted Parishioners to St. Matthew’s
12
N=66
(That which is within our control approximates the sum of what is outside our control. )
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
3
3
4
5
8
10
14
18
18
24
26
33 Was looking for a church
Convenient location
I was raised as an Episcopalian
Youth ministry / children's formation
Friendly, welcoming congregation
A member told me about St. Matthew's
I had heard about the music program
It accommodated our family's faiths
I liked the building
Just given birth to a child
I had heard about Beach Church
I just saw kids around the church
Outside
our
Control
Within
our
Control
What Retains Parishioners at St. Matthew’s
13
N=66
(It is ultimately about who we are, what we stand for, how we engage… )
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
10
12
12
14
15
19
20
22
23
24
26
26
32
35
35
36
48
52 I like whoever you are…
I like the people
I like the rector
It meets my spiritual needs
Welcoming congregation
I like the music program
I care about social justice
I like Beach Church
A part of something bigger
I was raised Episcopalian
I like the preaching
Convenient location
St. Matt's stand on issues
Programs for adults
Children’s Formation
Bread at communion
Kids involved in programs
Helped me in difficult time
Who
What
How
Church Attendance
■ Half of St. Matt’s members
responding attend services 40 or
more weeks per year.
■ One in eight attend services 10 or
fewer times per year.
■ The average attendance is a bit more
than 33 Sundays a year.
15
N=66
4-“During the regular calendar year, which service do you more frequently attend?0”
47-“How many weeks of the past 52 weeks do you estimate that you have attended St.
Matthew's Sunday services?”
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
89%
9%
2%
2nd Service
(Half of members attend regularly, and the second service is the favored time slot.)
Neither 1st Service
Satisfaction with Worship Service
16
■Most aspects of worship are tightly
clustered within a narrow range of 4.1
to 4.4 on a 5-point satisfaction scale. ■The hymns (3.8) we sing and the
length of service (3.5) are exceptions.
■These dissatisfieds are all attendees
of the 10:30 service.
■Those dissatisfied with the hymns
invariably are dissatisfied with the
length of the service as well.
N=66
(Most aspects of the St. Matthew’s worship service are “somewhat” or “very” satisfactory.)
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
1
2
3
4
5
4.4
3.8
4.4 4.3 4.1 4.2
3.5
4.3
3.9
Th
e lit
urg
y?
Th
e h
ym
ns
we
sin
g?
Th
e c
ho
ir?
Th
e o
rga
n m
us
ic?
Sp
ea
kin
g w
ith
me
mb
ers
?
Th
e s
erm
on
?
Le
ng
th o
f s
erv
ice
?
Pa
ris
h c
om
mu
nic
ati
on
s?
Th
e p
rog
ram
s?
Most Important Activities at St. Matthew’s
18
■The service itself is by far
most important to members’
relationship to St. Matthew’s. ■Supporting number one
are preaching and music.
■Community parties and the
Children’s Program are next
in line.
■Other ministries are
endorsed by a range of
other smaller segments.
N=66
(The church service and its pillars – preaching and music – are number one for members. )
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
2
5
7
7
10
12
13
14
14
17
19
23
28
37
41
62 Church services
Preaching
Music Program
Community parties
Children's Formation
Night Ministry
Stephen Ministry
Confirmation
Christmas Child
Bible Study
Green Team
Faith in Action
Altar guild
Family Promise
Mary Lou's Place
Men's group
About Which Activities … Know More?
19
■Ten or fewer members express
interest in learning more about any of
St. Matthew’s activities.
■The key elements of St. Matthew’s
about which members wish to know
more include: ■Bible study
■Mary Lou’s Place
■Family Promise
■The church service.
■There are pockets of interest in
almost all aspects of the programs
offered for response.
N=66
(Congregants are divided across their interests in their religion and St. Matthew’s outreach. )
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
7
5 4
7
9
3
5
3
0
4
6
1
6 6
10
4
Ch
urc
h s
erv
ice
s
Ch
ild
ren
's F
orm
ati
on
Nig
ht
Min
istr
y
Fa
mil
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rom
ise
Mary
Lo
u's
Pla
ce
Ch
ris
tma
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Fa
ith
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Ac
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Pre
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Mu
sic
Pro
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Gre
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Alt
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Me
n's
gro
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Co
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on
pro
gra
m
Bib
le S
tud
y
Co
mm
un
ity p
art
ies
Satisfaction with Activities at St. Matthew’s
20
N=66
(The Motagowa’s Backyard Party is the “Third High Holiday?”)
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
1
2
3
4
5
4.6
4.1
4.4 4.5 4.6
4.4 4.3
3.8
4.4
4.1 4.1 4.1 4.3 4.2
4.0
4.7
8 a
m s
erv
ice
10
:30
am
se
rvic
e
Be
ac
h s
erv
ice
Easte
r serv
ices
Ch
ris
tma
s s
erv
ice
s
Ch
ris
tma
s P
ag
ea
nt
Ho
ly W
ee
k S
erv
ice
s
St.
Fra
ncis
Pet
Ble
ssin
g
All
Sa
ints
Da
y
Ea
rth
Da
y S
erv
ice
Th
e Y
ou
th S
erv
ice
s
Sp
ec
ial B
les
sin
gs
Th
e S
up
er
Bo
wl p
art
y
Th
e a
nn
ua
l B
loc
k P
art
y
Th
e w
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d e
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Pa
rty a
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e M
ota
go
wa's
Satisfaction with Activities at St. Matthew’s (cont.)
21
■Members are at least “somewhat satisfied” with virtually all St. Matthew’s
activities.
■The Motagawa’s backyard party is a high watermark…even marginally
above the High Holidays. ■Christmas is a 4.6
■Easter is a 4.5
■But the Motagawa’s is a 4.7
(These are not statistically significant differences)
■The slightly lower evaluation of the 10:30a.m. service likely owes to its
perceived length, hymn selection, etc. ■What the 8 a.m. service may lack in attendance, it makes up in enthusiasm.
■St. Francis’ Day must not be getting out the “pet vote” (3.8).
N=66
(One in three )
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
What You Would Tell Prospective Parishioners:
The Church, Congregation
23
■The single most important description
of St. Matthew’s congregants would
use is all about a welcoming body (57).
■Beach church is the most common
venue of St. Matthew’s worship that
members might boast (38).
■The music program is third (32).
■Two parts of the bigger impact our
congregation can make are equal: ■Making a difference in the world
■Being part of something bigger.
■Nearly as many suggest the second
service (28).
N=66
(Nearly everyone would boast that St. Matthew’s is a welcoming congregation. )
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
28
30
30
32
38
57 Friendly, welcoming
Beach Church
Music Program
Make a Difference
Part of Something Bigger
Second Service
What You Would Tell Prospective Parishioners:
The Church, Congregation
24
■The single most important description
of St. Matthew’s congregants would
use is all about a welcoming body.
■Two parts of the bigger impact our
congregation can make are equal: ■Making a difference in the world
■Being part of something bigger.
■Nearly as many reflect on our
welcome specifically of LGBT.
■As part of what drew a number of
present members, it also is St. Matt’s
convenient location.
N=66
(Nearly everyone would boast that St. Matthew’s is a welcoming congregation. )
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
23
57
26
30
30 Make a difference in the world
Part of something bigger
Welcome LGBT community
Friendly, welcoming
Convenient location
What You Would Tell Prospective Parishioners:
The Ministries, Programs
25
■With 22 mentions, the Night Ministry
is top of mind among the ministries of
the congregation.
■The Stephen Ministry and the Green
Team share a second place tier at 15
votes each.
■And Faith in Action (9) and Family
Promise (8) share third place.
N=66
(One in three members would offer the Night Ministry as a defining program of St. Matt’s. )
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
0 5 10 15 20 25
22
8
9
15
15 Stephen Ministry
Green Team
Faith in Action
Family Promise
The Night Ministry
What You Would Tell Prospective Parishioners:
For the Youth
26
■Families with young children often
are the new members, and the first
program they experience may be
Children’s Formation-cited by 24
members.
■The Youth Ministry (18) and the
Confirmation program (12) are cited
by smaller numbers.
N=66
(As an entry point for our youth, the Children’s formation is most commonly cited. )
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
0 5 10 15 20 25
12
18
24 Children's Formation
Youth Ministry
Confirmation
What You Would Tell Prospective Parishioners:
The Ways of Worship
27
■Beach church is the most common
element of St. Matthew’s worship
repertoire that members might boast to
potential members (38).
■Not far behind are: ■The music program (32)
■The later service (28) and
■The rector (20)
■All other facets of our worship garner
as few as 3 and as many as 12 votes.
N=66
(Three of every five congregants would cite Beach Church when describing St. Matt’s. )
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
0 10 20 30 40
38
12
6
11
3
4
32
20
11
28 Later service
Early service
The rector
Music program
Tuesday prayer
Men's group
Sunday Bible
Wednesday Bible
Taize service
Beach Church
What You Would Tell Prospective Parishioners:
The Community
28
■Evidently, the “friendly” element of
St. Matthew’s can be seen in the
number of communities of the
church. ■The Super Bowl party is mentioned
by more (24).
■The Annual Block Party is cited by
17.
■About one in six members also
mentions the Sunday coffee hour
and that the congregation helps
members through difficulties.
■Add the movie group (1) and the
knitting group (7).
N=66
(The St. Matthew’s Super Bowl Party evidently is more than just football.)
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
0 5 10 15 20 25
11
24
17
7
10
11 Helps difficulties
Movie group
Knitting
Block party
Super Bowl
Coffee hour
St. Matthew’s Core Values
We asked:
We'd like to know how you see St. Matthew's at its heart -
beyond the traits common to all churches. We are looking to get
clear on the key characteristics or values unique to St.
Matthew's, which we call the "core values." As we are using the
term here, core values are the two to three most significant traits
inherent in the organization. Core values are part of the very
DNA of a place, and they do not change over time (decades).
They are "core" to specific identity of the church…
30 Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
31
■The values most parishioners identify in St. Matthew’s include: ■Tolerance, Outreach, Inclusivity, Spiritual Development and Hospitality.
■St. Matthew’s is light on: ■Proactivity, Collaboration and Transparency.
N=66
(Three in four members select tolerance as a defining value of St. Matthew’s. )
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
St. Matthew’s Core Values: Ratings
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
76%
58%
46%
61%
25%
66%
19% 27%
16%
64% 64%
13%
To
lera
nc
e
Lif
elo
ng
le
arn
ing
Op
tim
ism
Ho
sp
ita
lity
Pla
yfu
lne
ss
Ou
tre
ac
h
Tra
ns
pa
ren
cy
Th
e A
rts
Co
lla
bo
rati
ve
Inc
lus
ivit
y
Sp
irit
ua
l D
eve
lop
me
nt
Pro
ac
tivit
y
What’s in Demand?
33
■The greatest demand across a
number of opportunities is for “Buy-in
Dinners.”
■There also is modest demand for: ■Education on what it means to be
Episcopalian
■Wine and Cheese gatherings after 5pm
■A coffee parlor in the church, but open to
the public.
■ There is only tepid demand for
downloadable MP3 recordings of
sermons, the choir or the organ
music.
(Demand forecasts can be calculated
for these services.)
N=66
(One in three )
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
3.4
3.0 2.8 2.9
2.5 2.4 2.3
Bu
y-i
n D
inn
ers
Ep
isc
op
ali
an
Ed
Pu
b. C
off
ee
Pa
rlo
r
Win
e/C
he
es
e
MP
3s
of
Se
rmo
ns
MP
3s o
f C
ho
ir
MP
3s
of
Org
an
Excitement at St. Matthew’s: Top of Mind
35
■The most mentions around “excitement” have been, in descending order:
■Social venues ■“Community building social activities - dinners, forums, etc.”
■The church services themselves ■“The worship: music and preaching.” “The church services are the most important...”
■Programs around the youth ■“Using my interest in art as part of the children's formation program.”
■The music program ■“Music program…social justice programs…” “the choir”
■Spiritual growth or education ■“Growing in my spiritual life.” “Sunday forums with Rev. Scott.”
■Outreach ■“Faith in Action Evanston -- Opportunity to connect in love with people…”
■The Ministries ■““helping cook for the Night Ministry, meeting people…”
N=66
(Excitement is about the people, the services, spirituality and reaching out. )
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
Concern at St. Matthew’s: Top of Mind
36
■The leading “concerns” voiced by parishioners, in descending order:
■St. Matthew’s financial health: ■“Finances and building maintenance.” “…level of financial resources”
■“Lack of folks who have plenty of money … lack of financial help.” “money!”
■Global or broader community issues: ■“We need to find new ways to engage the community and world beyond our walls.”
■“Many, many social justice issues.” “The rapid downward trend of moral integrity.”
■Church attendance: ■“Dwindling numbers and the lack of time people have for the worship of God.”
■“The tide seems to have turned strongly against the mainstream Protestant churches,
including ours.”
■The challenges of aging: ■“The disappearance of old friends. Many have died.”
■Supporting the congregations’ young: ■“My concern is that the youth and children's programming is unformed.”
N=66
(Far and away, the greatest concern voiced is for the financial health of St. Matthew’s.)
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
Hope at St. Matthew’s: Top of Mind
37
■The leading “hopes” voiced by parishioners, in descending order:
■The youth and their families are our future: ■“Seeing more young families in the church.” “Children…” “Many children indicate a
growing, young, diverse congregation.” “Energy around youth engagement and leadership.”
■The people and their talents are an important resource: ■“Seeing the energy and commitment of a core group of people who want to spread that
energy and commitment to others.”
■The Spirit and the spirit of the church: ■“The seeds of spiritual development and pastoral care have been planted.” “Charlie will
continue to be the Rector. He's the finest person in that role in my life at the church.”
“God is watching over us.”
■St. Matthew’s welcoming manner: ■“People will become more tolerant of each other and treat others with respect and
kindness.” “…the continuance of St. Matthews as a welcoming church for everybody.”
N=66
(For most, the hope of the church hinges on our young members. )
Source: Congregation Survey Highlights, 2014
Appendix:
Questionnaire/Cover Letter
Questionnaire:
Cover Letter:
St. Matthew's Mission / Vision
Internet Research
The Rector, Wardens and Vestry are asking members of the congregation to engage in this portion of our ongoing conversation to get a clearer sense of what is important to parishioners at St. Matthew’s. Our questions should take approximately10-12 minutes and your answers will be kept in strict confidence.
1. First, how long have you been a member of St. Matthew's? [SINGLE RESPONSE] _________
2. What first attracted you to St. Matthew's? [MULTIPLE RESPONSE]
o Youth ministry / children's Formation o I just saw kids around the church o Convenient location o I drove by here regularly o Was looking for a church o I liked the building o Just given birth to a child o I was raised as an Episcopalian o Friendly, welcoming congregation o Signage outside the church o A member told me about St. Matthew's o They welcome the LGBT community o I had attended a program that meets here o It accommodated our family's faiths o I had heard about Beach Church o I had heard about Taize service o I had heard about the music program
o I was looking for a church that [PLEASE SPECIFY:___________] o Other [PLEASE SPECIFY:___________] o Other [PLEASE SPECIFY:___________]
Hello, ---:
Your opinion counts!
As you have heard from me in the pulpit and in the conversations you have had with Steve Steiber a couple weeks ago, we are continuing our process of self-reflection. This ongoing dialogue is at the heart of our discernment as we determine what is most important to us a parish, who we see ourselves to be today, and who we believe God is inviting us to become. We are asking you as a member of the congregation to take your place at the table by answering the questions in our survey. Our questions should take approximately10-12 minutes and your answers will be kept in strict confidence.
Once the survey results are in, the vestry will hold forums on Sunday, June 8, to engage in conversation about the results and listen further to what we at St. Matthew's are saying about our community. There will also be further opportunities in early June to join a vestry member at her or his home for wine, cheese and rich conversation.
Please take this opportunity now to help us all move forward. We value your input. Thank you in advance for your time and for making St. Matthew's the vibrant congregation it is.
Peace,
Charlie de Kay+ Rector, St. Matthew’s