WE ARE LISTENING!
Thank you so much for taking the time last month to lend your voice to Destiny Church Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) Survey. The results are in and we wanted to share the results with you — for now, without comment. Our staff and Council will be reading and discussing the report and working together to come up with a plan in response.
Congregation and Leadership Team responses are compared side by side.
The following graph shows the mean responses to the question, “Overall, how effective are we at living out [this characteristic] in our church?” which was asked at the end of each characteristic section.
The 10 Characteristics
1. GEP – God’s Empowering Presence
2. GEW – God-Exalting Worship
3. SD - Spiritual Disciplines
4. LGC – Learning and Growing in the Community
5. LCR - Loving and Caring Relationships
6. SLD – Servant Leadership Development
7. OF – An Outward Focus
8. WAA - Wise Administration and Accountability
9. NBC – Networking with the Body of Christ
10. SG – Stewardship and Generosity
GREATEST STRENGTHS OF OUR CHURCH
Keep in mind that each participant was asked to choose three characteristics. The following graph shows that for each characteristic, X% of the respondents chose that trait as one of their top three selections.
The 10 Characteristics
1. GEP – God’s Empowering Presence
2. GEW – God-Exalting Worship
3. SD - Spiritual Disciplines
4. LGC – Learning and Growing in the Community
5. LCR - Loving and Caring Relationships
6. SLD – Servant Leadership Development
7. OF – An Outward Focus
8. WAA - Wise Administration and Accountability
9. NBC – Networking with the Body of Christ
10. SG – Stewardship and Generosity
The Congregation identified your church’s strongest characteristics as follows (more than one trait indicates a tie in percentage response):
97% of the Congregation chose the following trait(s) as one of their “top three strengths of our church.”
God-Exalting Worship: Typically, when your congregation affirms “God Exalting Worship” as one of your greatest strengths, they are celebrating the fact that the experience of gathering together for worship as the people of God is refreshing and renewing, uplifting and meaningful. Worship is a value that your congregation encourages you to consider a high priority on a weekly basis and generally appreciates the ways in which they are ushered into the presence of God. When worship is a strength, it’s important to keep building on this so the people are fed by the Word of God, nurtured by prayer, and encouraged to engage the world as instruments of God’s mercy, wisdom, and strength.
86% of the Congregation chose the following trait(s) as one of their “top three strengths of our church.”
God’s Empowering Presence: Typically, when your congregation affirms “God’s Empowering Presence” as one of your greatest strengths, they are sensing that the church actively seeks the direction and empowerment of the Holy Spirit for its daily life and ministry. Is there an obvious presence of God’s abiding peace when you gather for worship, fellowship, and/or service to others? God’s empowering presence is a fresh reminder that the people of God need to depend solely on the Spirit for every decision made, every relationship pursued, and every action lived out in His name and for His sake.
22% of the Congregation chose the following trait(s) as one of their “top three strengths of our church.”
Wise Administration and Accountability: Typically, when your congregation affirms “Wise Administration and Accountability” as one of your greatest strengths, they are acknowledging their approval of the ways in which the behind thescenes needs of the church are being handled. When appropriate facilities, equipment, and facilities are provided as a strong support foundation for your ministries, there is generally a smooth operational flow. This facilitates effective ministry and allows for the development of future endeavors that will advance the church. Strategic initiatives will lead to growth and vitality within a healthy environment of accountability.
Stewardship and Generosity: Typically, when your congregation affirms “Stewardship and Generosity” as one of your greatest strengths, they are thrilled with the ways in which the budget is raised, the resources are stewarded, and the generosity of the church is expanded. It is through this trait of a healthy church that you will see evidence of “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” The local church that stewards the abundant love of Christ in tangible ways will experience the joy of seeing how personal and financial gifts are multiplied for the glory of God. The more this trait is taken seriously by the congregation, the more inclined will be their hearts toward the needs of the church, the community, and toward others who live in much less fortunate environments.
Out of all 70 questions, the Congregation gave the following specific questions their highest marks:
1. Mean Score: 4.90 out of 5
When we gather to worship together, how well are we as a church invited to engage in singing songs and/or hymns that praise God and encourage us as believers? (GEW)
2. Mean Score: 4.58 out of 5
When we gather to worship together, how well are we as a church invited to engage in giving our tithes and offerings as a reverent act of worship? (GEW)
3. Mean Score: 4.55 out of 5
To what degree does our church emphasize Godreliance instead of selfreliance within our shared life as a church? (GEP)
AREAS IN NEED OF IMPROVEMENT FOR OUR CHURCH
Keep in mind that each participant was asked to choose three characteristics. The following graph shows that for each characteristic, X% of the respondents chose that trait as one of their top three selections.
The 10 Characteristics
1. GEP – God’s Empowering Presence
2. GEW – God-Exalting Worship
3. SD - Spiritual Disciplines
4. LGC – Learning and Growing in the Community
5. LCR - Loving and Caring Relationships
6. SLD – Servant Leadership Development
7. OF – An Outward Focus
8. WAA - Wise Administration and Accountability
9. NBC – Networking with the Body of Christ
10. SG – Stewardship and Generosity
The Congregation identified the characteristics most in need of improvement as follows:
57% of the Congregation chose the following trait(s) as one of their “top three areas in need of improvement.”
Learning and Growing in Community: Generally, when your congregation identifies “Learning and Growing in Community” as a trait in need of improvement, the people are sharing their collective concern about the lack of community building opportunities within the church. In addition, there may, in fact, be concern about the existing “group” experiences that the church offers, which may not be meeting the expectations of your members and attendees. Concentrating creative efforts toward the enhancement of community life will lead to meaningful growth within the context of safe, affirming environments. The word “community” will require special focus, resulting in a deeper walk of faith sidebyside as the family of God.
51% of the Congregation chose the following trait(s) as one of their “top three areas in need of improvement.”
Servant Leadership Development: Generally, when your congregation identifies “Servant Leadership Development” as a trait in need of improvement, the concern being voiced is focused on the lack of identifying, training and empowering members for service within and outside the local church. When regular attendees share this anxiety about their church, the message is directed primarily toward their leaders. Is there a plan in place for “equipping the saints for the work of ministry?” If so, then be sure to communicate that to the membership; if not, then make it a priority to establish ways in which this can be addressed. Help people identify their gift mix, share opportunities for utilizing their gifts in ministry, provide training and resources, and send them out to serve others with your blessing.
49% of the Congregation chose the following trait(s) as one of their “top three areas in need of improvement.”
A Commitment to Loving and Caring Relationships: Generally, when your congregation identifies “Commitment to Loving, Caring Relationships” as a trait in need of improvement, the concern expressed is focused on the ways in which members treat one another. This may manifest itself in a variety of behaviors: unresolved conflicts, impenetrable “cliques” among longstanding members, socio-economic comparisons, or lack of opportunities for relaxed relationshipbuilding settings. Paying close attention to this overarching need within the congregation will lead to deeper fellowship, closer relationships, and more effective ministry to others. The healthy church knows that without the strength of relationships within the congregation, there will be no effective service to those outside the faith.
Out of all 70 questions, the Congregation gave the following specific questions their lowest marks:
1. Mean Score: 2.68 out of 5
How well does our church encourage and equip its members to practice personal confession? (SD)
2. Mean Score: 2.69 out of 5
How well does our church provide opportunities for mentoring? (LGC)
3. Mean Score: 2.88 out of 5
How well does our church train and equip our members to effectively present the gospel to those outside the Christian faith? (OF)
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