Bethany Christian Church

2005CONGREGATIONALSURVEY

Please provide demographic information on yourself so that we can correlate responses:

Gender: _____ Female _____ Male

Age: _____ 0-15 Yrs, _____ 16-20 Yrs, _____ 21-30 Yrs, _____ 31-50 Yrs, _____ 51-65 Yrs, _____ 65+ Yrs

[Optional]Name Phone

VISION AND MISSION

  1. Bethany Vision: Rev. Stagg has described a vision of Bethany becoming recognizedas a center of leadership and influence in the Houston community and within the Disciples of Christ Coastal Plains Area. To what extent do you agree with this vision?

I agree because … / I do not agree because … / I believe the vision should be modified as follows …
  1. Making Disciples: The Official Board established “Making Disciples” as its 2004-2005 focus, with emphasis in the following areas: Spiritual Growth, Pastoral Care, Evangelism, Service, and Administration.
  2. Spiritual Growth (growing in prayer life, Bible Study, worship, spiritual gifts development, etc.): In the past three years, how have you grown in this area, how has Bethany’s programs helped your growth, and in what other ways could we help your growth?
  1. Pastoral Care (meeting the spiritual, emotional, or physical needs of individuals associated with Bethany): In the past three years, howhave Bethany’s programs served the pastoral care needs of yourself or others, and in what other ways could we provide better pastoral care?
  1. Evangelism (spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and information about Bethany and the Disciples of Christ to our neighbors): In the past three years, how have our programs supported evangelism by yourself and by Bethany, and in what other ways could we better support you in your evangelism?
  1. Service (supporting our members, neighbors, and others in need, beyond pastoral care): In the past three years, how have Bethany’s programs served those in need, and in what other ways could we better serve our members, neighbors, and others?
  1. Administration (people, organization, process, and procedures to support our other activities): In the past three years, how effectively has Bethany’s administration supported our activities, and how could our administration better support our activities?

  1. Bethany Statement of Purpose:

Bethany Christian Church is a sanctuary of love and a community of support, setting an example as a Christian family in communion with Jesus Christ.

We believe:

  • God is calling us in fellowship to put His love in action as witnesses, teachers and servants.
  • Every person we embrace and serve is impacted by this love.
  • The future of the world is and will continue to be influenced by the work of our ministry as empowered by the Holy Spirit.

In your opinion, has our “purpose” changed since this statement was written? What specific suggestions do you have to implement the stated purpose of being “witnesses, teachers, and servants”, and what role would you like to play in putting your suggestions into action?

BETHANY FOCUS AREAS

  1. Evangelism: Refer to the attached map of our current membership residences. Where should Bethany prioritize our evangelism efforts? Please rank the following focus areas with “1” as the highest priority:

Lamar, River Oaks, Montrose, Bellaire, and Upper Kirby areas

Southwest Houston

No geographic focus

Other evangelism focus (please describe)

  1. Passion for People: People that I would like to help the most are (please check all that apply):

Infants / Children / Youth / College Students / Elderly
Singles / Parents / Widowed / Divorced / Career Women
Young Marrieds / Single Parents / Teen Moms / Empty Nesters
Unemployed / Poor / Homeless / Prisoners / Refugees
Disabled / Hospitalized / Homebound
Others:
  1. Passion for Issues: Issues and concerns that I am interested in are:

Abortion / Addictions / Adoption / Fertility Issues / AIDS / Child Care
Church / Discipleship / Economic / Education / Environment
Family / Health Care / Homosexuality / Hunger / Injustice
International Issues / Literacy / Politics / Poverty / Racism
Reaching the Lost / Technology / Violence
Others:
  1. Personal Service: Ministry in a church often grows from the current interests of its congregation. Other than Bethany, of what service, support, and social groups are you a member or participate regularly?

OTHER AREAS

Bethany has many programs and activities, and not everyone is involved or interested in all of them. Please provide your rating and input on any areas below that interest you. Spaces are provided at the end to add additional areas.

  1. Children & Youth Sunday School

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Adult Sunday School

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Nursery – e.g., facilities & staffing

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Children’s Ministries (birth – 5th grade) – e.g., VBS, Expanded Session, Children’s Church, JYF

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Youth Ministries (6th– 12th grades) – e.g., Chi Rho, CYF, camps, retreats

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Young Adults – e.g., activities and support for college students and early career adults

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Adult Ministries – e.g., CMF, CWF, older adults, singles

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Worship Services – e.g., worship style, format, formality, music style

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Music Ministries – e.g., adult and children choirs, handbell choir, recitals

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Bible Studies

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Membership Activities – e.g., fellowship lunches, fellowship dinners, Tasting Party, Butterfly Picnic, theater outings

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. New Member Assimilation – e.g., introducing, connecting, educating, supporting

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Leadership Development – e.g., selection, training, support

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Active Involvement of Entire Membership in the Ministries of the Church – e.g., “sharing the load”

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Facilities and Physical Plant

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Church Board & Committee Structure

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

In the spaces below, please list and comment on any other areas that were not addressed in this survey.

  1. Other Area of Your Own Interest:

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

  1. Other Area of Your Own Interest:

Rating: / 4 – Keep it up! / 3 – Doing Well / 2 – Needs Work / 1 – Needs Overhaul / No Rating

What are we doing well in this area?

What should we do to improve in this area?

OTHER COMMENTS

What other comments or suggestions do you have for us?

Thank you for completing this questionnaire.

Bethany Strategic Planning Committee

Members: Jake Aston, Jim Blanke, Bob Jacoby, Mike Joseph, Steve McCampbell, Beth Moll, Jill Mott, Rev. Brad Stagg