Even the most thoughtfully prepared sermon or well-planned church event doesn’t always resonate as expected. Maybe attendance was lower than anticipated, or feedback afterward was unclear.

In many cases, church leaders are left wondering what worked, what didn’t, and why. Without direct input, it’s difficult to know how congregants feel or how to strengthen their engagement.

That’s where church surveys come in. They provide a simple yet powerful way to listen to your church family, gather feedback on programs, services, and spiritual needs, and make informed decisions that support a more connected and thriving church community.

This guide explains the value of church surveys and includes 140 sample question ideas to help you begin collecting meaningful insights.

Why conduct church surveys?

Church surveys are valuable tools for strengthening connections and gaining clarity. To grow both spiritually and operationally, churches rely on meaningful feedback from their members—and surveys provide a structured way to gather it.

In 2023, 45% of Americans reported belonging to a church or synagogue. Despite this engagement, churches may still face challenges such as declining attendance, limited insight into program effectiveness, or signs of member disengagement.

Distributing nonprofit surveys empowers church leadership with data-driven insights to better understand their congregation's needs and priorities. These insights ultimately support informed decisions that strengthen community satisfaction and long-term impact.

What is a church survey questionnaire?

A church survey questionnaire is a tool for gathering input from congregation members, volunteers, and first-time visitors.

Churches can use surveys to collect feedback on a wide range of topics—from service times and sermon length to worship music preferences and donation transparency. These insights support informed decisions in areas such as events, leadership, giving, and community outreach.

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140 church survey questions to ask

You can gather a slew of information with church surveys, but you need to ask the right questions. Here, you’ll find 140 survey questions, allowing you to assess all aspects of your church—from leadership to programs.

Worship services

Worship services are meant to educate and unite the congregation. However, various factors can sometimes impact the overall experience. These church survey questions can help you gather honest feedback from church members, revealing what resonates, what doesn't, and how your services can better meet the needs of your community.

Do you prefer contemporary worship songs or traditional hymns?
What time is most convenient for the worship service?
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the quality of the sermons?
Are the sermons too long, too short, or just right?
Should we have more than one service on Sundays?
What could we improve to increase your satisfaction with our worship services?
What is one book of the Bible you would like to learn more about?
Is the service length too long, too short, or just right?
What do you like most about our worship services?
What do you dislike most about our worship services?

Church leadership and staff

Church leaders and staff are responsible for shaping the direction of the church and making decisions that serve the entire congregation. These church survey questions can help you gain insight into leadership styles, roles, and effectiveness.

How satisfied are you with the current leadership of the church?
How approachable do you find the church staff and leadership team?
Do you feel that church leaders communicate effectively with the congregation?
How confident are you in the church leadership’s ability to make decisions in the best interest of the church?
Do you feel church leaders actively seek input from members before making major decisions?
How well does the church leadership reflect the values and mission of the church?
In your opinion, how transparent is the church leadership about church matters (e.g., finances, goals, planning)?
Have you ever met or interacted personally with a member of the church leadership or staff?
What qualities do you think are most important in church leadership?
Do you think there are enough staff positions to support the needs of the church?

Spiritual growth and discipleship

The church supports members’ spiritual growth and provides discipleship opportunities to strengthen their faith. Collect feedback on your discipleship program with these church survey questions.

How satisfied are you with the spiritual growth opportunities provided by the church?
How often do you participate in discipleship or spiritual growth programs offered by the church?
Do you feel the discipleship programs effectively help you deepen your faith?
How relevant and applicable are the teachings in the discipleship classes to your daily life?
What types of discipleship programs do you find most helpful?
How well does the church support your personal spiritual growth outside of Sunday services?
Have you experienced growth in your spiritual life since joining the church?
How comfortable do you feel sharing your faith journey and questions within discipleship groups?
What barriers, if any, prevent you from participating more fully in discipleship programs?
What additional resources or support would you like to see offered to help your spiritual growth?

Programs and ministries

Get a clearer picture of how your church programs and ministries, like the children’s ministry, worship team, greeting team, and missions team, are serving your congregation. Use these church survey questions as a starting point to gather meaningful, actionable feedback.

Is there a specific ministry you would like to be a part of?
How often do you think each ministry should meet or hold events?
How often do your children participate in our children’s ministry program?
Which church ministries or programs are you currently involved in?
How satisfied are you with the variety of ministries and programs offered by the church?
How well do the church’s ministries meet the spiritual and community needs of their participants?
What additional programs or ministries would you like the church to offer?
How effective do you feel the children’s ministry is in teaching biblical principles and values?
What improvements or changes would you suggest for any of the church’s programs or ministries?
Would you be interested in volunteering or serving in any of the church ministries?

Volunteer engagement

Volunteer engagement is essential for churches that organize community events and outreach programs. Whether it's a bake sale, Vacation Bible School, a children’s sports camp, or another ministry effort, many activities rely on dedicated volunteers. These church survey questions can help church leaders better understand members’ interests, availability, and willingness to serve.

How interested are you in volunteering for church events and ministries?
Which types of volunteer opportunities are you most interested in?
How often would you like to volunteer?
What days and times are you generally available to volunteer?
What motivates you most to volunteer with the church?
Have you volunteered with the church before?
If you have not volunteered before, what has prevented you from getting involved?
How satisfied are you with the volunteer training and support provided by the church?
Would you be interested in leadership or coordinator roles within volunteer teams?
What suggestions do you have to improve volunteer recruitment and engagement at our church?

Sample questions are a great start, but if you’re ready to deploy surveys and get answers quickly, try our expert-written Volunteer Sign-up Form Template, Volunteer Feedback Survey Template, and Volunteer Application Form Template.

Community involvement

Community fundraisers and other church events take time and effort to plan and execute. Discover the congregation's perspective on getting involved and learn how to enhance church attendance. These nonprofit survey questions are perfect for churches.

How interested are you in participating in church-sponsored community events and fundraisers?
Which types of community events would you most likely participate in?
How often would you like the church to organize community involvement activities?
What motivates you to get involved in community events hosted by the church?
What barriers, if any, prevent you from participating in community events?
How well do you think the church promotes community involvement opportunities?
Have you participated in any church community events or fundraisers in the past year?
Would you be interested in helping plan or organize community events?
What is your favorite community event the church has hosted?
How important do you feel community involvement is to the overall mission of the church?

Facilities and environment

The church facilities should foster a healthy environment that supports congregants in worshiping and growing together. These facilities and environment survey questions will help you understand how to make improvements.

How satisfied are you with the cleanliness of the church facilities?
How comfortable do you find the seating and overall worship space during services?
How would you rate the accessibility of the church facilities for people with disabilities?
How effective is the lighting and sound system in creating a welcoming worship environment?
Are the restrooms and common areas well-maintained and adequate for the congregation size?
How safe and secure do you feel while attending church events or services?
How suitable are the church facilities for hosting community events and ministries?
What improvements would you like to see made to the church facilities or environment?
How convenient is the parking situation when attending church services or events?
How welcoming and comfortable do you find the overall atmosphere of the church environment?

Communication and technology

Get to know how church members feel about your church’s communication methods, frequency, and messages. These church survey questions about technology and communication will help improve the member experience.

How do you prefer to receive communications from the church?
How often do you prefer to receive communications from the church?
How clear and easy to understand are the messages you receive from the church?
How satisfied are you with the timeliness of church communications?
How well do church communications keep you informed about upcoming events and activities?
Do you find the church’s website and/or app easy to navigate and use?
How comfortable are you using technology (such as apps, social media, or online giving) to engage with the church?
What communication channels would you like the church to improve or add?
Have you ever experienced technical difficulties accessing church communications or online services?
What suggestions do you have for improving communication and technology use within the church?

Church giving and stewardship

Charitable giving, tithing, and stewardship are integral to church membership. Collect feedback from your congregation on their experience as stewards of the church using these sample survey questions.

How comfortable do you feel with the church’s teachings on giving and stewardship?
How regularly do you participate in giving (tithes, offerings, or donations) to the church?
Which methods do you primarily use to give to the church?
How clear and transparent do you find the church’s communication about how donations are used?
Is there a specific charity you would like the church to contribute to?
Do you feel your giving makes a meaningful impact on the church and community?
How well does the church provide opportunities for you to engage in stewardship beyond financial giving (e.g., volunteering, service)?
What motivates you most to give to the church?
How satisfied are you with the church’s stewardship education or resources?
What suggestions do you have to improve the church’s approach to giving and stewardship?

First-time visitor experience

It’s essential to understand the initial impressions of first-time visitors and their overall experience of the worship service. Use these sample survey questions to gain insight into the experiences of first-time visitors.

How did you first hear about our church?
How welcoming did you find the atmosphere when you arrived?
Were you greeted by someone upon arrival?
How easy was it to find your way around the church facilities?
How clear and understandable was the worship service as a first-time visitor?
How comfortable did you feel participating in the service as a first-time visitor?
Did you receive any information or materials designed for first-time visitors?
How likely are you to return to our church for a future visit?
What was your favorite part of your first visit?
What improvements could be made to enhance the experience for first-time visitors?

Event feedback

Those who host church events know that getting feedback from regular attendees helps improve future events for members. Use these sample event feedback survey questions to help you get started.

Have you attended a church-sponsored event in the past year?
Which church events have you attended recently?
How satisfied were you with the overall experience at the event(s)?
How well was the event organized and communicated beforehand?
How welcoming and friendly was the atmosphere at the event?
How convenient was the location and timing of the event?
Did the event meet your expectations?
What was your favorite part of the event?
What improvements would you suggest for future events?
How likely are you to attend future church events?

Member needs and support

Church surveys can help you support members in their spiritual journey by identifying their concerns and formulating solutions. Use these sample survey questions to meet member needs with church support services.

What are the most important needs you would like the church to address?
How well does the church currently support your personal needs?
Are there specific challenges you are currently facing that you would like the church to support?
How comfortable do you feel reaching out to church leaders or staff when you need help?
What types of support services would you like the church to offer?
How accessible do you find the church’s current support services?
Have you utilized any support services offered by the church within the past year?
If yes, how satisfied were you with the support services you received?
What barriers, if any, prevent you from seeking or using church support services?
What suggestions do you have to improve the church’s ability to meet member needs?

Suggestions and open feedback

Offer church members a suggestion box or send open feedback surveys with qualitative questions. Gather feedback from congregants on how your church supports its members’ faith journeys with these sample questions.

What do you appreciate most about how the church supports your faith journey?
What areas do you feel the church could improve to better support your spiritual growth?
Are there any programs or ministries you would like to see added or expanded?
How can church leadership better communicate with and engage the congregation?
What challenges or barriers have you faced in feeling connected to the church community?
How could the worship experience be enhanced to better meet your spiritual needs?
What types of events or activities would encourage you to participate more actively in church life?
Do you have any suggestions for improving volunteer opportunities or support for volunteers?
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with the church?
How can the church better support you and your family outside of Sunday services?

General church experience

It’s vital for church leaders to monitor their congregation’s overall church experience to identify areas for improvement. These sample survey questions are designed to gauge church member satisfaction.

What one thing would you like to see improved about your church experience?
How satisfied are you with your overall experience at our church?
How well does the church meet your spiritual needs?
How connected do you feel to the church community?
How welcoming do you find the church environment for people of all backgrounds?
How likely are you to recommend this church to a friend or family member?
How satisfied are you with the quality of worship services?
How effective are the church’s programs and ministries in supporting your faith?
How well does the church leadership listen to and address congregants’ concerns?
How easy is it to get involved in church activities or volunteer opportunities?

Expand your survey capabilities with expert-written questions

With the SurveyMonkey Question Bank, you can access a library of expert-certified questions designed to minimize bias and deliver accurate insights.

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How to create a church survey

Creating a survey is a simple way to gather feedback from congregants on their experience at your church. Here’s a step-by-step guide to planning, writing, formatting, and distributing church surveys.

1. Identify the survey’s purpose

First, determine the purpose of sending your church survey.

For example, you might notice low participation in church activities. You can conduct surveys to identify why survey participants aren't attending, perform better event planning, and re-engage members.

In addition, you may send an online registration form to re-engage church attendees in ministry.

By clarifying your goal, you can develop more targeted church surveys and collect feedback that helps you better serve your congregants.

Increase your church event attendance

Use our customizable Online Event Registration Form Template to register church members.

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2. Write survey questions

Once you’ve defined your goals and objectives for your church survey, you can start developing the specific questions.

When drafting your questions, it's important to keep them concise and relevant to the survey’s purpose. This approach will make it easier for respondents to complete the survey, thereby increasing the likelihood of getting honest and thoughtful responses.

Additionally, consider open-ended questions to gather additional comments that close-ended questions can not capture.

Remember, well-crafted questions are key to gathering meaningful insights that can help your church better serve its congregants.

You can also start with our 400+ expert-written survey templates.

3. Choose a distribution method

Once you’ve written your church survey questions, the next step is to choose an appropriate distribution method to reach your target audience.

SurveyMonkey offers versatile options for distributing your survey, including:

Sending it directly via email to your contacts
Sharing it through SMS messages for quick mobile access
Embedding it directly on a webpage or social media platform

Selecting the right distribution channel depends on your audience's preferences and the nature of your survey.

For example, SMS could be more effective for quick, on-the-go responses, and embedding on a webpage allows for easy access to new visitors.

4. Analyze responses

Take the time to thoroughly analyze the feedback you receive from your church survey, carefully reviewing each response to identify common themes, recurring concerns, and suggestions for improvement.

This detailed examination will help you pinpoint specific areas where your church community can grow and improve. By understanding these insights, you can develop targeted strategies to enhance worship services, community engagement, and overall church activities, ultimately fostering a more welcoming environment for all members.

Tips for conducting church satisfaction surveys

Here are a few tips for collecting feedback from church members on their satisfaction levels.

Gather demographic information

Collecting demographic information, such as age, gender, and household makeup, can help church leaders tailor ministry efforts and outreach more effectively. This data provides valuable context that allows leadership to better understand the makeup of the congregation and meet members’ needs with greater care and relevance.

Craft clear, thoughtful survey questions

When designing your survey, clarity and relevance are key. Use straightforward language, avoid jargon, and include a variety of question types to capture well-rounded feedback. A balanced mix of rating scales, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions allows you to gather both quantitative and qualitative data for deeper, more personal insights.

Boost your survey response rate

To increase your survey’s response rate, consider sending follow-up email reminders to church members. For those who may be less comfortable with technology, offering printed copies after Sunday services is a thoughtful way to ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate.

Prioritize privacy and anonymity

Protecting the privacy of church members is essential when collecting survey responses. Clearly communicate how the information will be used and prioritize anonymity to foster trust and encourage honest feedback. Avoid including any identifying details to help ensure responses remain confidential.

Create your church surveys with SurveyMonkey

Surveys are an excellent means of collecting feedback from church members to inform decision-making. Trusted survey templates, such as those from SurveyMonkey, help churches and other nonprofits gather more valuable insights. Gather feedback on community events or Sunday services to enhance the congregation’s experience.

Get started sending church surveys today with SurveyMonkey.