Please complete our survey and submit it by e-mail, or print it and send it to Julia Kuhn Wallace, General Board of Discipleship, P.O. Box 340003, Nashville, TN 37203-0003. If you prefer, download the survey in PDF format, complete it, and mail it to Julia Kuhn Wallace at the address above.

Background Information
Survey date
Name
Address
City
State		Zip
Phone		Fax
Email
My Current Position
	Please include me in your mailing list
	Please do not include me
Ministry Description
Church
District
Conference
Jurisdiction

Membership Size		Average Worship Attendance
Location:	Rural Suburban Urban Other:
My Ministry Description	Pastor District Superintendent Professor Layperson Author Denominational Staff Lay Speaker Other:
I serve/work in a:	Church Multiple-Point Charge Ecumenical Setting Seminary Judicatory (District, etc.) Denominational Office Agency Parish Other:
Our local church organization is:	Administrative Board Administrative Council Council on Ministries Other:

My Viewpoints on the Small Church
A. Which ministry most defines the small church?
	Worship Sunday School Mission/Outreach Fellowship Practice Spiritual Disciplines Other:
B. Choose three strengths of your congregation(s):
	Close relationships Sense of family Responds to needs of others Spiritually nurturing Resourceful/creative Depth of Caring Makes disciples Dedicated lay leadership Innovative ministries Tradition is valued Tenacious Spiritual leaders High level of trust Financially secure Vision Other:
C. What three leadership qualities do you believe are essential in the small church today? (Designate: Laity; Pastor, Denominational Staff)
	Commitment to Christ Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Growing Spiritually Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Spiritual leadership Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Visionary Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Works well with others Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Organized for ministry Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Open to change Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Resolves conflict Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Concern for Unchurched Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Innovative Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Able to implement plans Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Listens and gathers information Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Preaches relevant sermons Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Leads effectively Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Involved in mission Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Good sense of humor Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Person of integrity Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Good communication skills Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Knows denomination Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Biblically literate Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Reliable Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Caring and Compassionate Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Uses common sense Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Knows the small church Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Energetic Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
	Other: Laity Pastor Denominational Staff
D. Name three frustrations, challenges, or issues that concern the small church:
	Membership Decline Lack of adequate finances Connecting to community Limited resources Resistant to change Unresolved conflict Rapid pastoral turnover Lack of vision Demographic shifts Rising cost of clergy compensation Lack of appreciation Discerning effective ministry Past-oriented Closing smaller churches Revitalization Negotiating mergers or partnerships Attracting new members Lack of children and youth Inadequate facilities Feeling abandoned by the larger church Aging congregation Other:
Ministry/Support Resources
A. Select the ways in which your district, conference or judicatory supports ministry in small churches:
	Training/Workshops Ministry grants Consultation Appoints quality pastors Recognitions/Awards Organizes pastoral groups Resource/Lending library Continuing Education Funds News articles Events held in small churches It doesn't! DS (or others) visit us Cluster small churches Understands small churches Small Church Events Links with larger church resources Encourages parish models District Mission Teams/Projects Small-Church committee Equitable Salary Support Provides lay speakers Other:
B. Check any resource formats you would use as a leader in a small church
	Audiocassettes Books Booklets CD Video Pamphlets/Fliers Training Web articles Chat Rooms Other:
C. Suggested topics for resource development:
	Funding ministry Children's ministry Youth ministry Organizing for ministry Conflict resolution Leadership development Dynamic worship Outreach projects Sharing ministry Using technology Starting small groups Christian education Music Faith sharing Urban ministry Rural ministry Transitions Other:
What would you like the General Board of Discipleship staff to know that we have not asked you about your small church?

Survey revised 9-11-00

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