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Saugatuck Congregational Church (SCC) Pastor Survey
Please hit 'Done' at the end of the survey - otherwise your survey won't count! Thank you - your feedback is important.
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1.
We request that each adult (and confirmand) within a household complete this survey. Please let us know if you are completing this survey for yourself or your household:
(Required.)
Completing for self only
Completing on behalf of household
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2.
Please select which affiliation with SCC best describes you:
(Required.)
How many years?
Current hometown?
Current member
1-2
3-5
6-10
11-15
15+
Westport
Fairfield
Norwalk
Weston
Wilton
Other
Regular visitor
1-2
3-5
6-10
11-15
15+
Westport
Fairfield
Norwalk
Weston
Wilton
Other
Prior member
1-2
3-5
6-10
11-15
15+
Westport
Fairfield
Norwalk
Weston
Wilton
Other
Other
1-2
3-5
6-10
11-15
15+
Westport
Fairfield
Norwalk
Weston
Wilton
Other
Comments (optional):
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3.
We are interested in your involvement with SCC. Have you ever been on Council, a Board or a Committee?
(Required.)
Yes, several (3+)
Yes, a couple (1-2)
No
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4.
Which best describes your attendance at SCC in the past year?
(Required.)
Very frequently (2+ times per month)
Frequently (averaging 1 time per month)
Occasionally (4-6 times per year)
Infrequently (1-3 times per year)
Not at all
I attend Sunday morning service in person
Very frequently (2+ times per month)
Frequently (averaging 1 time per month)
Occasionally (4-6 times per year)
Infrequently (1-3 times per year)
Not at all
I attend Sunday morning service online
Very frequently (2+ times per month)
Frequently (averaging 1 time per month)
Occasionally (4-6 times per year)
Infrequently (1-3 times per year)
Not at all
I attend classes, events or gatherings online
Very frequently (2+ times per month)
Frequently (averaging 1 time per month)
Occasionally (4-6 times per year)
Infrequently (1-3 times per year)
Not at all
I participate in special events (e.g., concerts, art shows, gatherings)
Very frequently (2+ times per month)
Frequently (averaging 1 time per month)
Occasionally (4-6 times per year)
Infrequently (1-3 times per year)
Not at all
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5.
For you, personally, how important
are each of the following in the mix of qualities that make a good sermon:
(Required.)
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Sermons that provide uplifting energy and positive direction
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Sermons that make me reflect on issues and events that go beyond my personal life and local community
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Sermons that incorporate the message of diversity and inclusion, particularly LGBTQ+ and People of Color
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Sermons that are comforting and reassuring
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Sermons that are biblically-based and illustrated
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Sermons that are intellectually challenging and thought-provoking
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Sermons that involve children and youth participation
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Sermons that contain scholarly or literary illustrations
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Sermons that relate to contemporary issues
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Sermons that are dynamically delivered
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Sermons that genuinely flow from the pastor's deep personal experiences and faith / spiritual convictions
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Other (please specify)
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6.
Listed below are tasks / roles that SCC is likely to perform. Please assess the level of importance for SCC to thrive in the years ahead:
(Required.)
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Offer a non-traditional music program (popular music, new instruments, rotating singers / talent)
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Help visitors come away feeling uplifted, inspired and empowered to make a difference
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Deliver an inspiring worship experience
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Provide visitors with an opportunity to make social connections / build community
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Continue an open and affirming culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all people
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Offer a variety of worship formats (e.g., in church, at beach, in woods, online)
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Create a fun, open, vibrant and inviting environment
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Serve the local community (e.g., Thanksgiving feast, Gillespie dinners)
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Offer an invigorated children's program and youth group
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Enable visitors to feel part of a spiritual community
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Provide a traditional music program (hymns, choir, piano / organ)
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Engage the community in novel and new ways
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Continue its commitment to missions (e.g., hunger, environmental justice)
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Offer adult education classes that deepen spirituality
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Offer a community forum for reflection and meditation
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Other (please specify)
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7.
In your judgment, how high or low a priority should the new Pastor give to the following focus areas. It is worth remembering that not every focus area can be a top priority - perhaps 3 or 4 can be. You might want to read the entire list before making your priority assessment:
(Required.)
Very High Priority
High Priority
Moderate Priority
Low Priority
Develops and leads inspiring adult education programs
Very High Priority
High Priority
Moderate Priority
Low Priority
Understands and acts upon issues of social justice
Very High Priority
High Priority
Moderate Priority
Low Priority
Energizes our church school / youth group
Very High Priority
High Priority
Moderate Priority
Low Priority
Plans and leads a program of new member recruitment
Very High Priority
High Priority
Moderate Priority
Low Priority
Actively and visibly supports the church's stewardship program
Very High Priority
High Priority
Moderate Priority
Low Priority
Visits and gives empathetic pastoral care to the sick, shut-in and bereaved
Very High Priority
High Priority
Moderate Priority
Low Priority
Prepares and preaches inspiring sermons
Very High Priority
High Priority
Moderate Priority
Low Priority
Articulates new formats / venues for preaching the word of God
Very High Priority
High Priority
Moderate Priority
Low Priority
Participates in local community activities, issues and problem resolution
Very High Priority
High Priority
Moderate Priority
Low Priority
Provides pastoral counseling to members with personal, family and/or work related problems
Very High Priority
High Priority
Moderate Priority
Low Priority
Other (please specify)
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8.
Below is a list of qualities one might seek in a Pastor. Please share how important it is that our new Pastor possess these qualities:
(Required.)
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Fair
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Joyful
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Problem-solver
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Collaborative
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Community-catalyst
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Listener
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Balanced
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Decisive
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Progressive
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Counselor
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Patient
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Open-minded
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Caring
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Enthusiastic
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Experienced
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Charismatic
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Accessible
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Extroverted
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Teacher
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Empathetic
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Receptive
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Transparent
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Inclusive
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Visionary
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Team builder
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Social
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Conservative
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Scholarly
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Administrator
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Optimistic
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Social activist
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Creative
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Approachable
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Service-oriented
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Reflective
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Traditional
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Less Important
N/A
Other (please specify)
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9.
Listed below are images or dominant roles in which a pastor can orient their ministry. To what extent would you like to see the new Pastor emphasize or embody each of these roles?
(Required.)
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Visionary:
Ministry explores novel options for SCC as a spiritual home for all people, helping to grow membership
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Celebrant / Worship Leader:
Ministry is centered in leading the congregation in worship in formal / informal settings
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Church Administrator:
Ministry fulfillment comes in managing a varied and effective church program and organization
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Spiritual Guide:
Ministry encourages development of all members' spiritual lives
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Social Activist:
Ministry enjoys being on the cutting edge of social concerns and involvement in community affairs
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Witness / Evangelist:
Ministry focuses on sharing the Gospel with both those in and outside the Church
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Group Facilitator:
Ministry works with small groups, helping them relate to the Gospel with educational emphasis
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Counselor / Healer:
Ministry priorities pastoral counseling, finding fulfillment in helping people face their crisis
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Friend / Fellow Traveler:
Ministry is warm and loving, embracing each of us as ordinary human beings
Essential
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not Important
Other (please specify)
10.
What positive qualities of our
recent
Pastor should our
new
Pastor emulate?
11.
In your opinion, are there areas in which the recent Pastoral ministry could have been approached differently? Your input will help the Search Committee craft a Pastor profile that best reflects our collective vision for church leadership.
12.
What SCC strengths should we keep intact and / or grow in the years ahead?
13.
What shortcomings, if any, must SCC address to ensure long-term viability?
14.
Should SCC continue new initiatives / direction taken over the past few years relative to issues such as diversity, equity and inclusion; social justice (e.g., Black Lives Matter), environmental justice, LGBTQ+ issues?
15.
Is there anything else that you would like to share that would be helpful to the Search Committee?
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16.
Household Composition: Age of Adults in Household - check all that apply:
(Required.)
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
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17.
Household Composition: Age range of children - check all that apply, if applicable:
(Required.)
0-4
5-10
11-13
14-18
19-24
25+
Not Applicable
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18.
Household Composition: Previous religious affiliations - check all that apply:
(Required.)
Congregational
Episcopalian
Presbyterian
Other Protestant
Catholic
Jewish
None
Other (please specify)
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19.
Household Composition: Ethnicity - check all that apply:
(Required.)
Asian
Caucasian
Person of Color
Multi-Racial
Other (please specify)
20.
Optional: Please share your name and contact information so that we might have the option to follow up:
Name
Email Address
Phone Number
Current Progress,
0 of 20 answered
