Findings in more detail -- Part 4

We're continuing our series with Findings #11-14 below. Two more posts this week will cover Findings #15-17 and, finally, #18-20 to wrap up the set of 20 Findings generated from our CAT. A complete set of documents from our surveys is in the church office and is available to be read -- or borrowed for a short period for copying purposes -- by all.

Before we begin with the Findings, we have a great suggestion about our Facebook page from Luke, published in the January 15th church bulletin:

SYLVANIA UCC ON FACEBOOK: Don't want to dive into the world of Facebook? You don't have to have a Facebook account to see the church's page. Go to http://www.facebook.com/SylvaniaUCC to see links to blog posts, sermon audio, transition updates, event pictures, breaking UCC news and more! If you do have a Facebook account, please "Like" us.

Thanks, Luke, for the helpful reminder! I would add that you can also find direct links to the Facebook page and to this blog (along with links to several other sites) on the homepage of our church website: http://www.sylvaniaucc.org/ The Facebook link is found towards the bottom of the left side under "Follow us on Facebook!" and the link to this transition blog is directly under the title "Claimed by God, Responding as Disciples."

Now on to our Findings.

Finding #11

Generationally, the members of Sylvania UCC indicate a very high level of unity in the priorities across generational cohorts including church growth, healing, strengthening the process for calling and equipping leaders, and expanding outreach ministries. Each cohort has an area of focus which is unique to it. For persons under 35 it is working to renew and revitalize the community around the church; for persons 35 to 64, it is strengthening the management and support of persons in ministry; for persons 65 and older it is developing the spiritual generosity of the membership.

Finding #12

Infrequent attenders differ from more frequent attenders in that they give higher priority to 1.) renewing and revitalizing the community around the church, and 2.) advocating for social and institutional change. Impatience with progress in these areas may account for their lower level of engagement.

Finding #13

On the whole, members see the church as maintaining its strength during the interim period, though there is a diversity of perspective on this issue: about 20% of members see the church as stronger or much stronger and 15% as weaker or much weaker.

Finding #14

Overall, members believe the leadership is doing a good job communicating with the congregation during the transition, scoring higher than 75% of the churches in the database.

Sunday, January 22, 2 to 4 pm, is our church-wide forum to discuss these Findings. Hope to see you there. In the meantime, you're welcome to leave a comment or question below.

-- Bonnie