Parish Questionnaire Results

We received 70 responses to the questionnaire that we mailed out last month.  While not all the congregation responded, the 70 who did probably represents most of the active members of our congregation.  Most of these findings should not be a surprise.

Demographics

  • Of the 70 who responded, 80 % attend services nearly every Sunday.

  • 72 % are over 66.

  • 75 % are retired.

  • 69 % are female.

  • 55 % are married, but 30 % are widowed.

  • 84 % are college graduates; half of those have graduate degrees.

  • Half live about 10 miles from the church; only 20 % live in uptown Whittier.

  • 13% identify themselves as of a racial minority.

Worship

  • Almost everyone was in favor of congregational hymn singing.

  • Only 14 % did not like our selection of music.

  • The same percentage did not feel a choir with paid section leaders was necessary.

  • 80 % were open as to the content of sermons.

  • Opinions were mixed as to the desirability of occasional Morning Prayer services.

  • 77 % wanted a Eucharist ever Sunday.

Education

  • Most wanted adult Christian education, with emphasis on Bibles studies, moral issues and Episcopal traditions.

  • Most also felt the same subjects should be taught in Sunday school.

Administration

  • 83 % did not feel that the gender of the Rector would be important.

  • They also felt that there should be good communication between the Vestry and the congregation and between the Church and the community.

  • There were strong feelings that visitors and new members be adequately greeted.

Congregational Life

  • A strong majority felt that priest given normal pastoral support as well as crisis counseling should be provided.

  • A lesser majority felt that the Stephan Ministers could also be involved.

  • Most felt that an organized method of involving newcomers should be created.

  • The respondents felt that the Church should concentrate on ministering to people undergoing grief or catastrophic illness.

  • Illiteracy and substance abuse were given a low priority.

Desirable Qualities of a Rector

The skills of a Rector that were felt to be most important are listed in order with the most important listed first:

  • Crisis minister

  • Preacher

  • Administrative leader

  • Pastor

  • Counselor

  • Theologian

The skills that are least important are listed in order with the least important listed first:

  • Community leader

  • Social ministry leader

  • Children’s teacher

  • Evangelism leader

  • Ecumenical leader

 

Richard Phillips,
Vestry member