Damascus Project Needs Assessment Survey

The Damascus Project’s mission is to encourage and enhance lifelong learning, spiritual growth and development, effective ministry and church vitality. We do this by creating safe spaces for God’s people to engage in conversations about the big questions of life and faith. We are committed to a process of lifelong growth and learning in faith that is grounded in community. In this spirit, we are hoping you will respond to these questions to help us develop learning opportunities for you.

This survey will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

Question Title

* 1. Tell us about yourself. (Check all that apply.)

I am a church member or friend

I am a pastor (ordained)

I am a pastor (licensed)

I am a church staff person (children's ministry, music ministry, etc.)

I am a retired clergy person

I am a member-in-discernment

I am a volunteer leader in my congregation (moderator, deacon, faith formation teacher, etc).

I'm hoping to grow as a leader in ministry.

Other (please specify)

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* 2. Which terms best describe the ministry setting where you serve or participate? (Check all that apply.)

Rural

Urban

Suburban

Small Town/City

Other (please specify)

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* 3. My ministry context could use more resources in the following areas (check all that apply):

Bible Study & Scriptural Interpretation

General Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care with Specific Groups or Issues (e.g. Addiction, Incarceration, Grief, Divorce, LGBTQ+)

Ministry with Children and Youth

Mental Health and Wellness

Leadership Development for Clergy

Leadership Development for Laypeople

Development (fundraising, stewardship)

Business Administration

Personnel Management

Social Media & Internet Communications

Creating Meaningful Worship

Social Justice & Mission

Anti-Racism Training

Other (please specify)

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* 4. How appealing do you find online learning? (Webinars, online courses, etc.)

Unappealing

Less Appealing

Neutral

More Appealing

Very Appealing

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* 5. When building community and trust in an online learning environment, how important is it to you that a group meet in person at least once?

Not Important

Less Important

Neutral

More Important

Very Important

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* 6. How far would you be willing to travel for a learning opportunity that really excited you?

20 miles

50 miles

100 miles

150 miles

Up to 200 miles

Other (please specify)

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* 7. Please check the times of the day, week, and year that are generally best for you to participate in learning opportunities. (Check all that apply.)

Weekdays

Weekends

Daytime

Evenings

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

Other (please specify)

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* 8. Please indicate the types of learning formats that would appeal to you. (Check all that apply.)

Online only courses

Hybrid online/in-person courses

In-person only courses

Weekend learning retreats (in-person)

Courses with longer commitments (8-12 sessions)

Courses with shorter commitments (4-6 sessions)

Shorter weekly meetings

Longer monthly meetings

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. Please indicate how important you feel the following factors are in determining whether you will participate in a learning opportunity.

	Not Important	Less Important	Neutral	More Important	Very Important
Subject Matter	Subject Matter Not Important	Subject Matter Less Important	Subject Matter Neutral	Subject Matter More Important	Subject Matter Very Important
Instructor	Instructor Not Important	Instructor Less Important	Instructor Neutral	Instructor More Important	Instructor Very Important
Cost	Cost Not Important	Cost Less Important	Cost Neutral	Cost More Important	Cost Very Important
Timing	Timing Not Important	Timing Less Important	Timing Neutral	Timing More Important	Timing Very Important
Availability Online or In-Person	Availability Online or In-Person Not Important	Availability Online or In-Person Less Important	Availability Online or In-Person Neutral	Availability Online or In-Person More Important	Availability Online or In-Person Very Important
Fulfills a Requirement	Fulfills a Requirement Not Important	Fulfills a Requirement Less Important	Fulfills a Requirement Neutral	Fulfills a Requirement More Important	Fulfills a Requirement Very Important
Professionally Relevant	Professionally Relevant Not Important	Professionally Relevant Less Important	Professionally Relevant Neutral	Professionally Relevant More Important	Professionally Relevant Very Important
Personally Meaningful	Personally Meaningful Not Important	Personally Meaningful Less Important	Personally Meaningful Neutral	Personally Meaningful More Important	Personally Meaningful Very Important

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. How much would you spend on a learning opportunity that really excited you?

$25 - 50

$50 - 100

$100 - 200

$200 - 300

$300+

Optional comments:

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* 11. Do you have access to a budget or funds for learning opportunities/continuing education?

Yes

Not sure

Optional comments:

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* 12. Cost is a barrier for me in accessing learning opportunities/continuing education.

Yes

Prefer not to answer

Optional comments:

The following open-ended questions are optional but we would appreciate your thoughts if you have time!

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* 13. What are some of the most important or challenging issues facing your ministry setting right now?

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* 14. What kind of leadership does the church need right now, in your opinion?

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* 15. If you would like to have a conversation about the Damascus Project or your responses to this survey, please share your contact information below.

Name

Congregation

City/Town

Email Address

Phone Number

THANK YOU!