Pastor Phil

The First Baptist Church of South Portland

 

879 Sawyer Street ~ South Portland, Maine 04106

Office: (207) 799-4565   ~   Fax: (207) 799-5922   ~   Website: www.spfbc.com

 

"To know Christ and to make Him known"

July 16, 2010

Dear Church family,

Your team of elders recently convened an ad hoc committee- drawing mostly from the Executive Board - in order to begin assessing the ministries of First Baptist Church.

At the first meeting on Wednesday, July 14th, we discussed the results from a questionnaire each participant had completed.  It was decided that the same questionnaire should be sent to the entire church family to give everyone an opportunity to provide input.

Therefore, we ask for your anonymous response to be submitted no later than Sunday, August 1st.  This questionnaire will be available by way of hard copy, email, or downloaded from the website here... Qustionnaire download

Finally, if anyone desires to become part of this ad hoc committee, then please call Pastor Phil.  Thanks.

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The following comments and questions have been adapted from an on-line magazine entitled, Serious Times [http://www.serioustimes.com/Blog.asp?ID=124] by James Emery White.

"Biblical church leaders desire to see their fellowship grow spiritually and numerically, following the example of the early church (Acts 2:40-47) while striving to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).

Yet many churches are not growing.  And leaders do not know the reasons why.

The following questions are meant to 'prod and probe,' exploring key areas related to church growth [e.g. prayer; member/ attendee participation with mission; worship; communications; guest services; the weekend experience; and assimilation.]

Therefore, we are inviting you to respond to the following statements according to the scale listed below:

1        2        3        4        5

             "never"                                               "always"

Any area rated less than "4" will be flagged as a high concern in terms of  effectively fulfilling our mission.  Please add comments/ questions wherever applicable."

 

Questionnaire

1.   You and/or your team regularly pray for the church and your ministry in the church to grow numerically.  Value_____

2.   You are able to pray for unchurched people by name.  Value:_____

3.   Members and attendees regularly invite their friends to attend weekend   services.  Value:_____

4.   There is a high "buzz" factor.  Members and attendees regularly talk about the church to others as they would a good movie, restaurant or vacation space.  Value:_____

5.   Members and attendees believe our weekend services would "win" their friends if they could only get them here.  Value:_____

6.   Our website is an impressive and effective "front door" constantly updated and user-friendly.  Value:_____

7.   Our church is a warm and welcoming environment from the minute you drive onto the property until the moment you take your seat.  Value:_____

8.   A first-time guest would know exactly which entrance to approach, where to take the kids, where to get information, and where to enter the auditorium.  Value:_____

9.   The music is well performed and well led.  Value:_____

10. The style of the service, including music, media, and message is culturally current in ways that allow first-time guests to optimally engage the experience.  Value:_____

11. The messages are relevant, engaging, and practical (assuming that they are already biblical.)  Value:_____

12. The children's ministry is a positive experience for both children and their parents, in terms of safety, education and fun.  Value:_____

13. If you were a new attendee, is it easy to meet people and foster new relationships?  Value:_____

14. What is the church's mission statement?  _____________________________

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Comments: Did any of these questions surface an area for improvement? What are we going to do about it?