Congregational Self-Study

History and Description

1. The Congregation’s History

• Write a brief history of your congregation (maximum four pages).
• Include those events that contributed to periods of growth or decline in the number of people participating.
• Write in a factual style.
• Avoid the temptation to puff the story for public relations.
• Don’t inject personal commentary regarding past problems.

2. Staff

• Provide a list of all full- and part-time program staff positions.
• Include all staff for the last 20 years, or from the beginning of the church if founded more recently.
• List schools and degrees for full-time program staff.
• Give the dates for people’s tenure.
• State the real reason why individuals left. (Leave out the pertinent specifics only where required by law.)

3. Ministry Leaders

• Provide a list of all people who oversee specific areas of service.
• List the number of positions for which they are responsible in their oversight.
• State whether these people are full-time, part-time, or volunteer staff.

4. Facilities

• Provide information about your facilities.
• List dates and provide descriptions for any building construction, major renovation, land acquisition, or leasing of facilities.
• List the amount of acreage you own, lease, or rent.
• Give the square footage of building(s).
• Cite the number of parking spaces (distinguishing between off-street and street parking).

5. Church Structure

• Write a summary of your congregational structure.
• Include individuals or groups who are responsible for program decisions, budgeting and financial oversight, buildings and grounds, and any other major interests of the congregation.
• List committees, task forces, program teams, etc., and explain how these relate to boards or councils.
• Provide a chart that reflects your current organizational structure.

6. External Connections

• List any formal ties or major informal ties to other organizations or associations.
• State how the congregation views and interacts with such groups.

Demographics

1. 20-Year Overview

Prepare a chart and graph for each of the following items for each year over the last twenty years (or entire history if founded more recently). Number of members (if applicable) or regular participants (if no members exist) Average attendance of your weekly worship services Average weekly attendance of all your groups and classes combined Number of persons transferring in to membership or regular participation Number of persons transferring out of membership or regular participation Number of baptisms

2. Average Age

Estimate the average age of the people participating in the regular activities of your congregation. State how this was determined.

3. Involvement Beyond the Worship Service

State the percentage of people who attend your worship services who also attend some group meeting such as a class, support group, or service team. Count each individual only once.

4. Involvement by Year

Prepare a list of the number of current members or regular participants who got involved:

• Prior to 1960
• From 1961-70
• From 1971-80
• From 1981-90
• From 1991-2000
• From 2000-present

5. Finances

6. Individual Giving

7. Total Contributors

• State the total number of contributors to the congregation during the last fiscal year.
• State the average amount given per contributor during the last fiscal year.

Community Study

1. Write a brief overview of the area and community in which the congregation is located or which the congregation serves. Include about one paragraph on each of the following:

• History
• Population
• Income levels
• Education levels
• Social, ethnic and religious diversity
• Age distribution
• Growth/decline trends
• Other characteristics you deem significant

2. Briefly describe the square mile that surrounds the primary location of the congregation.

Beliefs and Practices

1. List the core values and/or basic beliefs of the congregation.

2. List other important commitments or practices that characterize the congregation, such as:

• Covenants or codes of conduct
• Key social issues
• Political positions
• Regular activities
• Significant financial commitments

Documents

1. Send one copy of this self-study in typed form one month prior to the assessment visit.

2. Send copies of the following documents (if you have them):

• Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws (or Constitution)
• Doctrinal statement
• Last two annual reports
• Last two annual budgets and financial statements
• Sample bulletin and/or newsletter
• Any policy statements
• Other printed documents you deem helpful in providing insight into your congregation

Self-Study Group

After the self-study information has been compiled, the board and staff need to discuss the following questions as a group and complete an exercise pertaining to congregational conditions before printing the results in final form. (In smaller congregations, gather 20-30 leaders, whether in official positions or not, to fulfill this requirement).

The report should include the general consensus on each of these discussion questions. Be sure to give the date when this discussion took place and list those involved in this meeting.

1. What are the three greatest strengths of this congregation, listed in priority order?
2. What are the three most significant weaknesses of your church, listed in order of the greatest need first?
3. What three changes would you like to see made in your church, listed in priority order?
4. Do the leaders want this congregation to grow significantly?
5. Are the leaders willing to make the difficult decisions required for change and growth?

Congregational Conditions Study

Ask the board and staff to complete the attached exercise on congregational conditions determine where they perceive the congregation to be at this time.