Parish Vital Signs Survey

I received this in a 2008 Vestry Day training at Grace Cathedral. As we look at tools this might be another / different option. Issue with any survey to judge impact you need to do it a few times -- as memories often have rose colored glasses.

Taking Your Parish Vital Signs

Here is a simple tool to enable you and the leadership of your church to measure and reflect on your parish’s general health and vitality. Below are twenty questions that explore various facets of your life together.

Task: Read each question and assign a number to each between 0 and 10, with 10 as the highest, signifying excellence. Then add up the total responses (0-40 = Should you close your doors?; 40-80 = Needs parish EMT; 80-120 = Fair but needs coaching; 120-160 = Good, keep going; 160-200 = Excellent, where can I join?)

There is a powerful, caring ministry to members in need. People know who is hurting and respond meaningfully.
Parishioners have a genuine air of joy, hope, confidence and ease with each other and others.
People are truly appreciated and thanked for what they do.
Parishioners have an active spiritual life at home and at church.
People can deal with conflict openly, allow disagreement and still love, learn from and respect those who differ from them.
People are discovering their gifts for ministry and are encouraged to use them.
The congregation is fairly free of a critical spirit.
The needs of children and teenagers are known and included in the life of the church.
Parishioners feel deep anger at the injustices in society that hurt people and move to act.
People who visit could think: “These folks really have something special and I want to join!”
The community is generous in pledging and sharing, living out of a theology of abundance vs. scarcity.
Members have a real personal relationship with Christ.
Parishioners are eager to share their real lives and experiences of God with others to lead them gently to Christ.
Clergy, staff, vestry, choir, altar guild, etc. relations are open and mutually respectful, a sign of God’s Presence.
You get a sense that you are not with a bunch of Pharisees but forgiven publicans whose lives are lived in gratitude to God’s love.
These people know how to play and are fun to be with.
The church leadership and members have good self-esteem and a clear sense of boundaries.
The community thrives on open communication not back biting triangulation or gossip.
The community is open to change while keeping faith with the past and their clear identity.
This church is a place where the Spirit is contagious.

Total: _____________