Laity Interest Survey

2017 Survey

The Columbia District Laity Development Team has galvanized and is organizing around our new district strategic plan. One of the first steps is determining what resources we can provide to best enable you, the body of Christ, to do what you do best (create disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world). How can we help you on your journey of discipleship? What resources can we provide to help you help yourselves and your communities? To help us answer these questions we've created a survey. Please take some time to complete the survey. You can also call Sandy at the District Office if you have questions or need help. 503-249-1851.

A copy of the 2016-2020 Columbia District Strategic Plan is available by clicking here. However, reading the plan is NOT necessary for understanding or completion of the survey.

Thank you for your time!!!

This section is completely optional and will not be stored in connection with your survey answers in any way.

Question Title

* 1. Contact Information

Name

Address

Address 2

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Email Address

Phone Number

Question Title

* 2. Preferred method of contact:

Postal Mail

Phone call

Text message

Other

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. Name of church you are currently attending (optional)

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* 4. What forms of district or conference support would you most like to see with regard to Laity? Please check all that apply.

Classes

Interactive Workshops

Book list, suggested reading etc.

Other

Other (please specify)

What are your areas of interest with respect to resources to advance your personal knowledge and enhance leadership skills? Please check all that apply.

I would be interested in classes, workshops, or self-study resources in the following:

Question Title

* 5. Spirituality and Worship

John Wesley: the man and the people who are called Methodists

How to study the bible: use of different tools and study methods to dig deeper into scripture.

Interpreting scripture: discerning theological positions and influences on what you read. This might include ways to learn what are "new" trends in theological thinking and how laity can access these conversations.

Wesleyan Class Meeting Training: Workshop on how to lead a Wesleyan Class Meeting

Understanding different spiritual practices

Worship: deepening individual experiences in a corporate or private setting

Other

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 6. Leadership Development

Laity/clergy conversations

Developing leadership skills: how to empower group engagement when difficult personalities are involved; or how to lead people through challenging times without alienating those with different opinions.

How to develop effective and inclusive communication practices and platforms that reach different generations.

How to inspire a creative environment when brainstorming new ways to "do church" and evaluating existing church practices and programs.

Other:

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. Connection (within the UMC, among multi-faith community of Christianity, amongst all different religious beliefs, and/or with the world as a whole)

Diversity of theological viewpoints within the Methodist denomination

Similarities and differences between Methodists and other Christians

World religions and their similarities and differences

Prayer partnerships within the district/conference/denomination

Pen-Pal connections between churches/districts/denominations/religions

Small group classes/dialogs between different churches/districts/denominations/religions

How Methodists can effectively support other religious communities, particularly those under attack.

Other

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 8. Community Engagement

Training in Community Organization skills

Demographics and Community Information: getting and/or interpreting

Getting to know your community

Finding and engaging with your local community developers

Financing/Organizing/Planning: How you can afford to do the ministry your heart desires?

How to develop multi-media marketing strategies for effectively reaching out to community members.

Legal realities in opening church property for programs that meet community needs.

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. What is your level of willingness to travel for classes or workshops of interest?

0-20 miles

21-50 miles

51-200 miles

201-500 miles

Other

Other (please specify)

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* 10. Where is your passion for serving others through your faith?

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* 11. What can we do to help you take the next step?

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* 12. What do you see as the purpose of the church?

Question Title

* 13. What else would you like to share with us?

Demographic Information: Non-personally identifiable information to help us identify any potential sampling biases in survey responses.

Question Title

* 14. Age Range:

Under 30

31-40

41-50

51-60

61-70

71-80

81+ glorious years of experience

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* 15. Years associated with the United Methodist Church

1-2

3-5

5-10

6-20

20+

My whole life

Other

Other (please specify)

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* 16. Current leadership role(s) within the church

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* 17. Past leadership role(s) within the church

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* 18. Have you taken courses for any of the following certification programs: (check all that apply)

Basic Lay Speaker/Servant

Certified (or Advanced) Lay Servant

Certified Lay Speaker

Certified Lay Minister (CLM)

Some CLM classes, but not certified

Currently taking CLM classes

None

Other

Other (please specify)

Thank you for investing your time and sharing your thoughts with us. Your input is critical to helping identify the areas where you see a need for more training, input, and focus.

District Laity Development Team

Lydia Henry, District Lay Leader, Oak Grove United Methodist Church
Sandy Lofy, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Gwenda Richards Oshiro, Oak Grove United Methodist Church
Scott Jensen, University Park United Methodist Church
William Butler, Beaverton United Methodist Church
Janice Stevens, Montavilla United Methodist Church