GRACE
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
ANDERSON,
SOUTH CAROLINA
PARISH
-WIDE
Tony
Watkins
The
Healthy Church Initiative
June
2007
The Vestry of
Grace Episcopal Church invited and met with Tony Watkins, the Diocesan Consultant
for the Healthy Church Initiative in February 2007.
During this meeting, it was decided that a parish-wide assessment should
be implemented to gain the input of any member of the parish. A sample questionnaire was supplied and the
Vestry adjusted the survey to encompass pertinent areas of parish life.
Approximately
150 questionnaires were mailed to the households of Grace along with an introductory
letter encouraging participation. Fifty (50) surveys were returned directly
to the Consultant as requested. That represents a 33.3% return response.
The
following items were addressed.
SURVEY
RESULTS
How
long have you been attending Grace Episcopal Church?
There
was a wide variance of involvement mentioned by the respondents. Representative
responses ranged from 3 months to 56 years. The average time of involvement
of all respondents is 17.3 years.
This
reflects a well-grounded, knowledgeable membership that has seen the good
and the bad times. They have survived, they have been steady, and they have
been the committed. Longevity of service is a definite strength as long as
the involvement/leadership circles remain open and accessible to others. If
not, the most common complaint is that the parish is cliquish and closed.
On
average, how many times a month do you attend worship services?
The
average respondent indicated that they attend worship services 3.4 times a
month. The key word here is worship services. Worship services are typically
the entry point for newcomers and visitors; nothing presents friendliness
more than to have a crowd and numerous people welcoming a newcomer.
This number also reflects that the members are faithful in their attendance.
Considering how mobile our society is today and how seasonally older
members travel, that is a strong percentage.
What
factors drew you to Grace?
There
were some varied responses, but the emphasis point centered on being invited
by people already in the parish, knowing someone within the parish, Grace
being the only Episcopal Church in town, and they were friendly folks.
It
is a proven point again, that people generally invite other people. One of
the reasons churches often becomes stagnant or start declining is that members
don’t ask their friends and acquaintances to church. Of course, there are
those people that just wander in, but by and large the initial visit is by
a request or an invitation from someone on the inside. Members are the best
advertisement you have.
Representative
Comments: was commuting to Christ Church, Greenville,
friend invited me, parents attended, I loved the building, only Episcopal
Church in town, set in their ways, I was made to feel welcome, sexton gave
us a tour, came with a friend, size of church felt right, grew up here, we
aren’t constantly asked for money, outreach, fellowship, ritual and the message,
read a beautiful article in the newspaper about Grace, Jack and the early
service, married into church, I was looking for a women’s group.
The
identified items were ranked as followed:
1.
Worship
2.
Denomination
3.
Rector
4.
Music
5.
Congregation make-up
6.
Friendliness
7.
Time of Service
8.
Nurturing Family Environment
9.
Youth Programming
10.
Fellowship Opportunities
11.
Sunday School
12.
Outreach Opportunities
13.
Choir
14.
Facility/Building/Parking
15.
Educational Opportunities
16.
Other
17.
Small Groups
18.
Coffee hour
19.
Men’s/Women’s Group
20.
Nursery
One
can read all sorts of things into this list and it should be noted that this
listing is only an accurate snap-shot for those whom took the time to prioritize
the items. In fact, some of the low rankings to certain areas are reversed
in the following questions.
What
ministries do you find most meaningful and why?
Those
responding took this opportunity to list the ministries that were important
to them. As one can readily read some of the previous items receiving low
rankings were the most prominent in this question.
Representative
comments: Outreach, Stephen’s Ministry, small groups,
Supper Club, Sunday School, choir, fellowship, women’s study, youth ministries,
Sunday service, pastoral care, education, parish life, St. Catherine’s Ladies,
Christian Education.
How
can we improve? How can any of these ministries be better?
Respondents
took this opportunity to express areas that they would like to see improved.
Some of the representative comments are as follows:
ministry to broaden and encourage newer members, grow the choir, pretty
good as it is, broaden involvement, expanded newcomers class, you wouldn’t
like my answer, publicity, community service, better communication within
congregation, get more organized, make existing ministries larger, services
shouldn’t be more than an hour long, regular training, focus on Scripture/Bible,
stay traditional, sing familiar hymns, more small groups, more Sunday School,
choir improvement, more attention on visitors.
If
you could create any new area of ministry or a new program, what would it
be?
Those
responding indicated a wide variety of new opportunities that could be created.
However, it was overwhelming in favor of new or more small group ventures
and new and creative Bible Study. A Supper club program closely followed those
two areas.
Other
representative comments: develop a program to attract Episcopalians that move
to town, community outreach, do a better job of what we are doing now, adult
S.S. for all ages, Parish Nurse Program, Bible study, activities for middle
age, do community service that requires hard work, membership committee, programs
for people 18-25, bring a friend day, have too many now, children services,
Do
you have a suggestion for a small group activity/study/social opportunity
that you would be interested in joining?
Representative
comments: more activities with St. George, more retreats,
outreach, e-mail or internet spiritual growth, an exciting book study that
would appeal to my friends, day trips for seniors, touring New England in
the fall, bible study, book clubs, supper clubs, summer drive-in movies, carnivals,
more well-prepared adult education, study courses, Beth Moore study, VBS,
family oriented get-together, scripture based study.
What
is the greatest need that we currently have within our parish?
This
question asks the respondent to share what they see as the most important
need of the parish. Some of the representative comments were: we need more
people to give their fair-share, space, need to be more welcoming to newcomers,
good youth programs, need younger members, being more friendly, more room,
Bible Study, visitation program, communication, holding and adding members,
reaching out more, we are too self consumed, adult education and social interaction,
young couples, enhance overall quality of worship and service, lack behavioral
preaching, stewardship.
What
is the greatest need we have when considering our future growth?
This
question asks those responding to be visionary and pro-active instead of re-active
as it pertains to church growth. Representative
comments: encourage young families to join, need more room for services or
have more services, youth, attract and keep young families, increase overall
participation, raise $ to implement phase 3, balance of activities, keep core
values, priest needs to be more nurturing, focus on something besides construction
projects, keeping members, keep and grow membership, don’t push out some to
make room for others, God’s Word, maintain our heritage, larger property,
small groups, new members class, 9:00 service, attraction for younger generation,
more contributions.
How
can we attract new members?
In
order to grow a parish, it cannot be a one-man job, everybody needs to great
involved. This question asks members to share their thoughts on attracting
new members. Representative comments were:
be more welcoming, have sustained fellowship with visitors, invite
people to come, more youth programs, publicity about what we have done, by
living what we learn, participate more, be in love with Christ, caring for
one another, I don’t like “feel good’ services, have booth at street fair,
floats in parade, high school/university outreach, become a friendlier community,
new members committee, advertise, never let a visitor sit alone, get youth
involved, have quality programs for all ages, be bold for God, breakdown cliques.
Do
you have a good understanding of where your pledge money is used?
Respondents
were asked to share their thoughts and understanding of the use of money in
the parish. A wide majority of those responding felt they
had some understanding of how the money is used. Representative comments: yes, somewhat, not
beyond the annual budget, endowment fund and funding for big projects is murky,
strong sense of “back channel” communication between those with deep pockets,
I believe our diocesan pledge is too high, I feel we give away too much, we
need bldg repairs, some money not used with discretion, partially, seem always
seem to be requesting funds, I do because I am on the vestry.
WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
As
mentioned earlier, the average member has been involved with Grace for over
17 years. That is a strength as long as it is used in
the proper manner.
Having
an average tenure of 17 years, makes the majority of the congregation long
term “pro” Christians. The longer you are a Christian the less you remember
what interested you when you were not a faithful member.
The longer you are part of the congregation the more you become dedicated
to certain aspects of the parish life. That is normal, we all are drawn to
the areas that interest us the most, whether it be a program, a group of people,
or a building. Sometimes that dedication to a certain area becomes the motivation
for us doing what we do in mission and ministry. I breakdown the Motivational Resources as such:
Compassion: sharing, caring,
loving, giving, serving, supporting.
Community:
good fun, good times, fellowship, affiliation, belonging,
family, home.
Challenge:
accomplishment, achievement, goals, and objectives.
Reasonability:
logic, data, “it makes good sense,” analysis.
Commitment:
Dedication, loyalty, duty, obligation, vows.
I
list these for you to make a comparison with What you look for in a Church?
All five of the resources are present in any given congregation and in
any given community. Two of the five will be predominant motivations among
key leaders. Two of the five will be the predominant motivations among the
grass roots, and two of the five will be predominant among the unchurched
in the community, and it is not necessarily the same two.
Typically,
the grass roots and the unchurched are drawn to a congregation that exemplifies
compassion and community. They will not respond to the factors of making a
commitment and accepting a challenge. They
have to grow (mature) into those areas.
Point
being, if your message and vision is internal and centered on keeping what
we have and to keep it in good order. If the message is that we have everything
we want and we are happy campers and to keep going we just have to be committed
and faithful. That is sending out a message in one language. But if the grass
root and unchurched in the community are seeking a place that gives beyond
itself, addresses community needs and supports others, if it presents itself
as a place of belonging and a family, that sends out the message in another
language.
POINT: Make sure you communicate with the community
you are trying to reach in the language they will understand. (Think like those on the outside, instead of
those only in the inside).
HOW
TO NOT PERISH IN YOUR PARISH
1.
MAJOR ON THE MAJORS
I
must openly admit that I am a wild-eyed optimist about the future of the American
church. I also admit that I have my concerns. In my
roles, past and present, as a pastor, interim pastor, and church consultant,
I have seen church members focus their energies on some of the most insignificant
issues. Some members demand only their brand of music; others get irritated
when the worship service is changed a little or runs a little too long. Some members seem to worship their buildings
and location; others seem to have forgotten how to worship God especially
if it is not done their way. In the meantime, tens of thousands die to a Christ-less
eternity, and so few church members seem to care.
The
experience of listening to the formerly unchurched and of studying churches
that reach the unchurched is a joy, because these churches tend to major on
the majors. Other issues are treated, as they should be, as minor. Churches
that reach the unchurched and that are effective keep their priorities in
order and their goals in clear view. In other words, they have a vision, or
as taught at the Leadership Conference…..they have a Specific, Concrete Mission
Objectives. “Without a vision, the
people perish”
2.
BE BIBLICAL AND CLARIFY YOUR DOCTRINE
In
a recent survey conducted by the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism
and Church Growth, clarification of doctrine was a major factor in the attraction
and retention of the formerly unchurched. In that study, 91% of those studied
thought doctrine as important. 89% of transfer members expressed the same
sentiment on doctrine.
The
unchurched are not just interested in the facts of the doctrine or its historical
perspective, your statement of beliefs; they want to know where you stand.
These facts fly in the face of an increasingly pluralistic and theologically
tolerant culture we are often told now exists. There are millions of people
across the country and hundreds in your very service community that are in
a quest for objective truth. What they are saying in essence is, “tell us
who you really are, what you really believe and if that is in the realm of
our agreement we will stand with you or we will leave”.
A
congregation’s belief system must be based on biblical truth. It is a proven
fact that churches today that are growing are biblically based and they have
a high view of Scripture. I have never seen a church flourish that is not
biblical.
In
the survey, over 50% of the respondent’s expressed a desire for more Bible
Study. If you want to have a renewal within Grace Episcopal Church, it will
permeate from Bible Study and the personal renewal of its reinvigorated members
through Scripture and falling in love with Christ all over again.
3.
EXPECT MUCH/RECEIVE MUCH
Churches
that reach the unchurched are high-expectation churches. The membership is
excited and fulfilled Christians. Which means they are not operating in survival
or maintenance mode. A high expectation church gets out into the world, the
mission field and outside of itself. The members expect good things to happen.
After all, you are a member of an organization that makes a difference. Churches
with high expectations gladly share their faith, invite friends and family
members to church, and generally express excitement about their church. Leaders
of these churches do not hesitate to ask members to get involved in ministry.
They believe in fulfilling the Great Commission and do it with passion.
High
expectation churches receive much because they expect much. The unchurched
are in turn attracted to churches where the people are excited about their
faith, their church, and the God they serve.
4.
DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE & COMPREHENSIVE SMALL -GROUP
If
you are to attract the unchurched, you need to understand what keeps them
once they show up. In studies it has
been proven that the unchurched are attracted to small groups for two reasons:
they desire further biblical teaching and training as we discussed previously
and many love to do that type of study in a group setting, and they seek to
develop relationship with other Christians. So doesn’t a comprehensive and
effective small group strategy need to be imperative?
The survey indicated a desire for more small groups in all kinds of
shapes.
A
word of caution…..the work required to develop any kind of comprehensive small
group organization is massive. Unfortunately small group leadership is not
adequately taught in seminary…..therefore the leadership will have to find
models to review and adapt.
POINT
- You cannot program relationships. They must develop naturally. But the church
must provide avenues and opportunities for new members to get to know others
in the congregation. Again, the best way to do this is through small groups
or ministry involvement. Statistics show that the percentage of new members
who remain active in the church after five years is at 83% if they are active
in Sunday school or ministry involvement.
5.
DISCERN PATTERNS OF RELATIONSHIPS IN YOUR OWN CHURCH
One
of the continuing surprises to me in my consultations is that the best connections
to those not in the churches were through the members’ own spouses or other
family members. Too often we think of the unchurched as people in totally
pagan backgrounds who have no or never had any connection with the church.
That is a myth. In fact, many of the unchurched might be living in the same
homes as your church members.
In
one exercise done in a small congregation that had not had any growth in years,
in fact they were dying off. I asked the members to just write down the names
of three unchurched people they knew well, whom they could invite to a special
event, and what type of relationship they had with the person. The membership
as well as this Consultant was amazed that a majority of their unchurched
connections were in their own families. The church consequently developed
a new strategy to reach these people.
6.
CULTIVATE A USER-FRIENDLY GREETER MINISTRY & KEEP
If
we Christians on earth could attain sinless perfection, we would not need
reminders to be happy and friendly. Meanwhile, church leaders must remind
members to be friendly at all times. One smile, one kind word could make an
eternal difference for someone that is a seeker.
As
a Consultant, I hear all the time, “our church is the friendliest church around”.
Of course it is, those who think of you as unfriendly aren’t there, they are
somewhere else. This false perception is solely based on how members treat
each other in the church. They do not see themselves from the perspective
of an outsider. Nearly four out of five of the formerly unchurched revealed
that the friendliness of the church was a factor in their becoming a member
in the church. Build on your friendliness, be sensitive to those you do not
know. After all, all they are looking for is someone just like them.
7.
PROVIDE AN “ENTRY POINT” CLASS
Most newcomers, for the most part, will gladly
attend an “Inquirer’s Class” prior to their becoming a member. By the time
they are courageous enough to visit a church, they are eager to learn about
the church. Most of the effective churches from which the
HCI concept is formulated utilize this opportunity to inform the inquirer
on who they are, what they believe, why they believe it and what is expected
in membership. One thing we must remember is that an unchurched person or
an inquiring person who visits our churches typically has an insatiable appetite
to learn more. Such is the reason they desire strong biblical study and teaching.
But the most important reason is that such classes are great ways to first
of all, assimilate new people into the church, and secondly to naturally promote
small groups since most classes should be held to less than a dozen.
Statistics
show where the church expects and encourages attendance to a New Members Class
the retention rate is 89%. Where such a class is offered, but not required
for membership the retention rate is still 72%.
It is well worth developing this program if for nothing else retention.
HCI promotes this through the Life Development Process and Classes
101, 201, 301, and 401.
8.
KNOW YOUR CHURCH’S PURPOSES
Churches
that reach the unchurched know the purposes for which the church exists better
than comparison churches. The Healthy Church Initiative is build on the major
purpose of the church according to Acts 2:42-47.
A
church that understands its purposes is more likely to evaluate itself according
to those purposes. If the members of the church truly understand that evangelism
is one of their major functions, they will ask questions if the unchurched
or the lost people are not being reached, and they will seek to be more effective
in that area.
How
do leaders help the people of the church learn the purposes of the church?
They write mission statements. The rectors preach it, and the teachers teach
it. They put it on publications. They repeat it over and over and over. A
purpose driven church is more likely to be an unchurched-reaching church.
9.
DON’T KEEP ME ON THE SIDELINES
If
ever there is a theme to all this information it is the cry, “Don’t Keep Me
on the Sidelines”. The unchurched are
crying out, “let me get involved.” They
want to be a part of a church that makes a difference. They want to be involved
in small groups, Sunday school, and ministry. They want to participate in
a church that has clear direction and vision. And they do not mind, indeed
they desire, churches that expect them to do ministry for God within the church
where they can truly meet Christ.
10.
NEVER FORGET THE POWER OF PRAYER
I
do not put prayer at the end as a postscript or an addendum to more pressing
matters. Indeed, I feel I have not given adequate attention to the power of
prayer in this discussion. But I now say without hesitation or reservation
that prayer is the key to reaching the unchurched, for reaching those inactive
members, for reaching the lost. I rarely see an effective church that does
not have a strong emphasis on prayer.
Evangelizing
the unchurched and the lost is spiritual warfare. Only prayer can effectively
break the bonds of complacency, tradition, and nit picking that keep a church’s
focus off evangelism.
Most
of the effective churches referenced through the studies not only had an active
prayer ministry, they made certain these prayer ministries included a specific
focus on lost and unchurched persons.
Prayer
is powerful and prayer is a pre-requisite to reach the unchurched in your
community. While these folks may reject our invitations
and our message, they are helpless against our prayers.
FINAL
THOUGHTS:
I
am still an optimist about the American church. I know, statistics show the
church has plateaued and in some denominations decreased by some sizeable
numbers over the past decades. The number of those attending church on any
given Sunday now stands at 41%, which means there are 59% of the general population
not attending anywhere. Churches still fight the demons of traditionalism,
complacency and spiritual apathy. But because of congregations like Grace,
willing congregations to look at new avenues for growth in numbers yes, but
also in mission and ministry, there is hope. It has been my privilege of seeing
and hearing from thousands of people whose lives has been transformed by the
power of the living Christ. Some of those congregations I must admit I gave
little hope of survival. But God tells me in His Word, that His way is not
my way, and I am thankful for that.
It
is my prayer for you, church leader, rector, staff, and layperson that you
will not grow weary. Many are praying for you, I am praying for you. I pray
that in Anderson South Carolina there is a time of renewal that is coming
and it begins at and through the members of Grace Episcopal Church. There
are those whom would love to see you discouraged, despondent, and defeated.
But, in Christ’s power, the victory is already yours. Let us enter into the
world of the unchurched not wishing for victory, but claiming victory. Let
us convenant one to another that in God’s power more of the unchurched become
formerly unchurched. To God be the glory!