Lea Joyner UMC Affiliation Survey

Introduction

The purpose of this survey is to gather essential feedback from the Lea Joyner Church congregation regarding our affiliation with the United Methodist Church.

This survey is not a vote.

The survey will be collected and analyzed by Auxano, a non-profit consulting group. First names are collected to verify that individuals are part of Lea Joyner Church and to ensure that each person only completes the survey once.

The summary report delivered to Lea Joyner Church leadership will not include any personal information.

A paper copy of the survey is available.

Question Title

* 1. What is your first name? (Internal Auxano use only)

Question Title

* 2. How long have you been attending Lea Joyner Church?

Less than one year

1-5 years

6-9 years

10-19 years

20+ years

Question Title

* 3. How often do you attend (on campus or virtually) the Sunday morning worship services at our church?

3-4 times a month

2 times a month

Monthly

Quarterly

Less than quarterly

Question Title

* 4. When you attend Lea Joyner Church worship services, do you primarily participate in person or online?

In person

On-line

Question Title

* 5. In which areas are you consistently and frequently involved at Lea Joyner Church? Select ALL that apply.

Sunday school or small groups

Sunday morning worship

Volunteer (e.g., usher, greeter, Sunday school teacher, etc.)

Mission opportunities

Leadership (e.g., committees, administrative council, staff, etc.)

I am not actively involved in our church at this time

Question Title

* 6. Are you a member of Lea Joyner Church?

Yes

I don't know

Question Title

* 7. With whom do you feel the MOST connected at Lea Joyner Church? Choose only ONE response.

Members of my Sunday school or small group

Friends/family who attend the church

People in the ministry area in which I serve

A pastor or staff member

I feel more connected to the church as a whole than I do to any small group or individual

I do not feel connected to Lea Joyner Church

Question Title

* 8. What do you like about Lea Joyner Church's affiliation with the United Methodist Church? Select ALL that apply.

Personal history with the United Methodist Church

Historic Methodist theology and practice (as articulated in the Book of Discipline)

Emerging progressive Methodist theology and practice

The support and guidance of our District Superintendent (DS) and Annual Conference Bishop.

The way the conference appoints our clergy

The "big tent" character of our denomination, that we experience unity in a diversity of thought and theology

Our connection to other UMC congregations in Louisiana

I don't know

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. When you look five years into the future, what would you like to be true about the denomination Lea Joyner Church was affiliated with? Select ALL that apply.

I would want it to be in the Wesleyan / Methodist Tradition.

I would want it to have a Traditional theological perspective and practice.

I would want it to have a Progressive theological perspective and practice.

I would want the denomination to have a "big tent" culture in which we experience unity in a diversity of thought and theology.

I would want to see a commitment to scriptural integrity.

I would like to see accountability to standards of theology, morality and church organization.

I would want pastors to be appointed by a denomination.

I would want for our local church to have more say in who our pastor(s) would be.

I would like to see opportunities to partner with other churches through Missions.

A national or global denomination "brand" that would help us to reach out to everyone in our community.

I can't think of anything that would be valuable about being affiliated with a denomination.

I don't know.

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. Current United Methodist policy prohibits the ordination of gay and lesbian persons and same-sex weddings in local churches. Which of the following BEST describes your view of the current policy?

I strongly support the current policy.

I somewhat support the current policy.

I somewhat disagree with the current policy.

I strongly disagree with the current policy.

I haven’t decided on my views on the current policy.

Question Title

* 11. If Lea Joyner Church remains in the UMC and the policy referenced in question 10 was changed to allow for the ordination of gay or lesbian persons and/or to allow local churches to hold same-sex weddings at their discretion, how would you MOST likely respond?

I would strongly object if the denomination became more inclusive in its stance on homosexuality and most likely would withdraw my presence and support from Lea Joyner church.

I would somewhat object if the denomination became more inclusive in its stance on homosexuality, but I would likely continue to support Lea Joyner Church.

I would somewhat approve if the denomination became more inclusive in its stance on homosexuality and would likely continue to support Lea Joyner Church.

I would strongly approve if the denomination became more inclusive in its stance on homosexuality and might have withdrawn my presence and support from Lea Joyner if that change hadn't been made.

Question Title

* 12. Which statement BEST describes your support for Lea Joyner Church's denominational affiliation? Please carefully read each option and choose only ONE response.

I most strongly support staying affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

I most strongly support disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church and affiliating with another denomination.

I most strongly support disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church and becoming an independent church.

I equally support any of the above decisions.

I do not know which decision I would most strongly support.

Question Title

* 13. What is your age?

Under 18

18-24

25-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

70+