Joys and Sorrows Survey

My name is
		Response Count
		93
	answered question	93
	skipped question	0

Check one of the following
		Response Percent	Response Count
I am a religious professional in paid service to my congregation		47.3%	44
I am member of my congregation serving as a volunteer		52.7%	49
	answered question		93
	skipped question		0

As a volunteer, my involvement in the congregation is primarily in the area of (disregard if you are staff)
		Response Percent	Response Count
Worship		31.5%	17
Pastoral Care		9.3%	5
Communications		3.7%	2
Board of Trustees		22.2%	12
Other (please specify)		33.3%	18
	answered question		54
	skipped question		0

My congregation's website address is
		Response Count
		88
	answered question	88
	skipped question	0

The number of adult members in my congregation is
		Response Percent	Response Count
<50		6.5%	6
50 - 100		21.7%	20
100 - 150		20.7%	19
150 - 200		14.1%	13
200- 250		8.7%	8
250 - 350		7.6%	7
350 - 600		13.0%	12
600 - 1000		7.6%	7
	answered question		92
	skipped question		0

My congregation has experienced net numerical growth in adult members of more than 5% over the last five years?
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes		60.9%	56
No		39.1%	36
	answered question		92
	skipped question		0

My congregation is served by:
		Response Percent	Response Count
Lay led ministry		2.2%	2
¼ time professional ministry		0.0%	0
½ time professional ministry		12.9%	12
¾ time professional ministry		2.2%	2
Full time professional ministry		72.0%	67
Multiple ministers		10.8%	10
	answered question		93
	skipped question		0

The governance system in my congregation is best described by
		Response Percent	Response Count
Most Board officers are also committee/program representatives		15.4%	14
Board is comprised of executive officers and committee / program representatives		26.4%	24
Board and Program council are separated / interdependent		40.7%	37
Policy Governance		11.0%	10
Other (please specify)		6.6%	6
	answered question		91
	skipped question		0

My congregation has policies / restrictions regarding (check as many as apply)
		Response Percent	Response Count
Who can contribute to the newsletter		40.7%	24
Who can use electronic communication to church membership at large		91.5%	54
Who can send out mailings / advertisements to membership at large		81.4%	48
	answered question		59
	skipped question		0

My congregation has a behavior / relationship covenant in place
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes		40.2%	35
No		59.8%	52
	answered question		87
	skipped question		0

My congregation has a way - other than joys and sorrows - to declare a pastoral need
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes		81.3%	74
No		11.0%	10
If so, please describe		82.4%	75
	answered question		91
	skipped question		0

My congregation regularly includes intercessory prayer as part of joys and sorrows?
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes		15.7%	14
No		84.3%	75
	answered question		89
	skipped question		0

My congregation has an active (check as many as apply)
		Response Percent	Response Count
Pastoral Care Team		76.8%	63
Small Group Ministry Program		52.4%	43
Weekly opportunities (other than Sunday) specifically and intentionally for fellowship and socializing		57.3%	47
Other (please specify)		30.5%	25
	answered question		82
	skipped question		0

In my congregation the average number of people who participate during joys and sorrows is
		Response Percent	Response Count
< 3		5.8%	5
4-5		29.1%	25
6-7		40.7%	35
8-9		14.0%	12
10-11		8.1%	7
> 12		2.3%	2
	answered question		86
	skipped question		0

How many minutes does the joys and sorrows portion of your service typically last?
		Response Percent	Response Count
< 3		3.5%	3
4		5.8%	5
5		24.1%	21
6		12.6%	11
7		11.5%	10
8		13.8%	12
9		4.6%	4
10		20.7%	18
11		0.0%	0
12		0.0%	0
13		1.2%	1
14		0.0%	0
15		1.2%	1
16		1.2%	1
17		0.0%	0
> 18		0.0%	0
	answered question		87
	skipped question		0

Please list main reasons why you believe your congregation has the numerical growth pattern it has (i.e., why you have experienced an increase in members, a decrease in members or no change)
		Response Count
		85
	answered question	85
	skipped question	0

Describe the method of Joys and Sorrows your congregation uses:
		Response Percent	Response Count
Open Microphone – After some introduction “Now is the time we share the joys and sorrows” and people are invited to come to a microphone and share in their own words		66.7%	60
Silent Candles		33.3%	30
“Embracing Meditation” - A bell is sounded after which people are invited to call out the names of those who they want to bring into the sanctuary of care.		5.6%	5
Intercessory Sharing – joy or sorrow is written on something and the worship leader shares it with the community during worship		12.2%	11
Intercessory Prayer		7.8%	7
My congregation offers nothing that resembles joys and sorrows		1.1%	1
My congregation offers a variation of these (please describe below)		54.4%	49
	answered question		90
	skipped question		0

Choose 1- 5 on the following
	Not at all	Not much	Some	A significant amount	A leading factor	Rating Average	Response Count
How much does your method of joys and sorrows contribute to the effectiveness of worship	2.2% (2)	10.1% (9)	38.2% (34)	46.1% (41)	3.4% (3)	3.38	89
How much does your method of joys and sorrows contribute to the effectiveness of pastoral care	1.1% (1)	5.7% (5)	43.7% (38)	42.5% (37)	6.9% (6)	3.48	87
How much does your method of joys and sorrows contribute toward a growth in relationships within the congregation	2.3% (2)	12.5% (11)	40.9% (36)	36.4% (32)	8.0% (7)	3.35	88
How much does your method of joys and sorrows contribute toward a growth in size in your congregation.	11.8% (10)	35.3% (30)	36.5% (31)	16.5% (14)	0.0% (0)	2.58	85
	answered question						89
	skipped question						0

In my opinion, the length of time given to Joys and Sorrows in my congregation's weekly worship service is
		Response Percent	Response Count
Not long enough		1.2%	1
Too long		25.3%	22
Just right		73.6%	64
	answered question		87
	skipped question		0

What, if any, response have you received about your method of joys and sorrows from
		Response Percent	Response Count
Members		100.0%	67
Visitors		74.6%	50
	answered question		67
	skipped question		0

Have you made any changes in joys and concerns in the last three years?
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes, we've made important changes.		60.9%	53
No, no changes of note.		39.1%	34
	answered question		87
	skipped question		0

If Yes to the question above--please describe the change(s), and why you made it(them).
		Response Count
		58
	answered question	58
	skipped question	0

Joys and sorrows in the worship service are connected to the pastoral care efforts outside the worship service by
		Response Percent	Response Count
having the joys and sorrows recorded and shared with the rest of the congregation in some electronic or printed form.		24.1%	21
having a staff member or committee member follow up,		48.3%	42
No, there is no link between joys and sorrows in worship and pastoral efforts outside of worship.		14.9%	13
Other (please specify)		40.2%	35
	answered question		87
	skipped question		0

What are the ritual words your congregation uses ?
		Response Percent	Response Count
to introduce joys and sorrows?		98.7%	74
to close joys and sorrows?		97.3%	73
	answered question		75
	skipped question		0

What ritual or symbolism accompanies joys and sorrows? (check all that may apply)
		Response Percent	Response Count
Candles in sand		50.6%	40
Pebbles in water		2.5%	2
Flowers in vase		1.3%	1
Other ritual (please specify)		59.5%	47
	answered question		79
	skipped question		0

What else do you think is important to say about how you feel joys and sorrows meets - or doesn't meet - the needs of your congregation?
		Response Count
		76
	answered question	76
	skipped question	0