Church Assessment Questionnaire
This questionnaire is designed to work in conjunction with the material presented in Dr. Gil Stieglitz’ Growing a Healthy and Vibrant Church Seminar… The various systems of the church will be examined through this questionnaire. Hard but necessary questions will be asked of Pastors and Lay Leaders in the church. Possible solutions will be presented to the defective systems. This survey is designed to point out all the defective systems. A priority structure should be set up to fix the various systems in order of what needs to be accomplished.
TARGETING SYSTEM: WDEFC
Worship, Discipleship, Evangelism, Fellowship, Compassion
How often are the key areas of ministry preplanning to aim at WDEFC?
Children’s
0-5 Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
1-3 grades Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
4-6 grades Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
Youth
High School Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
Junior High Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
College Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
Adult
20’s Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
30’s Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
40’s Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
50’s Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
Celebration Arts
Music Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
Visual Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
Drama Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
Women’s Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
Men’s Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
Singles Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
Seniors Monthly 6 Months Yearly Never
What are the Youth planning to accomplish WDEFC?
What are the Children’s Ministry planning to accomplish WDEFC?
What are the Women’s Ministry planning to accomplish WDEFC?
What are Worship & Celebration Arts ministry planning to accomplish WDEFC?
What are Adult Ministries planning to accomplish WDEFC?
What are Men’s ministries planning to accomplish WDEFC?
Do events regularly occur that do not aim to fulfill one of these objectives?
In what ways could the regular program events be improved to accomplish the purpose?
ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEM
What is the size of the church?
Average Sunday morning attendance including children?
Is the communication, staff and organization appropriate for the size?
0-100 … 1 Full time Pastor
100-200… 1 Full time Pastor; Part Time Secretary; Part Time Youth
200-400… Senior Pastor; Office Manager; Secretary;
Youth; Worship; Children’s
400- 1000… Senior Pastor; Administrative Pastor; Office Manager;
2 Secretaries; High School – Junior High; Worship;
Children’s Director & Assistant; Seniors; Women’s
1000 – 2000 Senior Pastor; Administrative Pastor; Office Manager;
2 Secretaries; High School – Junior High; Worship;
Children’s Director & Assistant; Seniors; Women’s
Singles; College; Young Married; Family Pastor
How many poles are functioning in the church?
A pole is a person who can attract and hold at least 50 –100 people in a program or ministry
How many engine are presently operating in the church?
Enticing Building
Engaging and upbeat worship
Practical, Uplifting, Applicable Preaching
Powerful Programming…
Youth
Children’s
Powerful Compassion or Social Justice projects
Pre-School
Elementary School
DECISION SYSTEM
What is the decision and communication process look like?
Idea…
Super Key Influencers…
Staff…
Board…
Key Influencers…
Leaders…
Ministry People…
Congregation
How does the church make sure that new ideas do not miss key people?
What is the official decision system?
If some one has an idea for a ministry, how do they get approval to get started?
What is the unofficial decision system?
What does the chain of authority look like?
Are the goals for the coming year clear?
Are the purposes of the church clear?
Are the core values of the church clear?
Are the connections of an individual change to the larger goal and the purpose clear?
LEADERSHIP SYSTEM
1. Personal Development
What is the leader’s personal growth plan?
Rate the leader on each of the 9 building blocks of leadership
On a scale of 1-10
Doing the Expected:
Impact: Focusing on and accomplishing crucial tasks
1-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Immanence: Managing yourself, your time, your emotions
1-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Initiative: Giving yourself permission to act
1-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Impact outside the Expected
Influence: The ability to be perceived as a wise counselor
1-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Integrity: Having your actions match your words
1-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Image: Having your look, words, manner and style increase your respect
1-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Clearly Leading
Imagination: The ability to see the preferred future, find the people, marshal the resources raising the funds
1-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Irresistibility: A positive contagious creative persistent attitude
1-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Mentoring
Inclusion: Increasing the effectiveness of the present and future leaders
through training, caring, sharing
1-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Which of the 9 building blocks of leadership need immediate attention?
Impact: Focusing on and accomplishing crucial tasks
Immanence: Managing yourself, your time, your emotions
Initiative: Giving yourself permission to act
Influence: The ability to be perceived as a wise counselor
Integrity: Having your actions match your words
Image: Having your look, words, manner and style increase your respect
Imagination: The ability to see the preferred future, find the people, marshal the resources raising the funds
Irresistibility: A positive contagious creative persistent attitude
Inclusion: Increasing the effectiveness of the present and future leaders through training, caring, sharing
What is the leader’s plan to implement positive change in three leadership areas?
Personal Development
Identifying Leaders
Developing Current and Future Leaders
What is the leader’s specific plan to move the corporate ministry?
What has the leader done this month to make a noticeable improvement in…?
Children,
Youth,
Adult,
Men’s,
Women’s,
Music,
Facilities,
Finances
How does the leader assess the systemic health of the ministry?
Purpose system
Does the leadership and the average person in the church understand and utilize
the purposes of the church? WDEFC
Organizational system
Is the church staffed, organized and managed appropriate for its desired size?
The Decision system
Are decisions made by the appropriate person or is there excessive control?
The Assimilation – evangelism system
Are people regularly drawn into the Church, into a saving knowledge of Christ
and incorporated in the fellowship?
The Spiritual system
Are the people in the church growing closer to God and utilizing the benefits
of being near Him?
Spiritual connection to God
Does the church equip the people how to draw near to God?
Prayer system
Does the church have a prayer covering adequate to allow further growth?
Worship System
Does the church consistently draw and enjoy the presence of God
Leadership system
Does the church consistently identify, develop and release leaders into ministry?
Discipleship system
Are the people of the church growing regularly and consistenly in the grace
and knowledge of the Lord Jesus?
Life Development System
Does the leadership and the average individual Christian have a clear understanding
of what makes a mature disciple and the process to accomplish this task?
Instructional System
Does the instructional periods produce loving positive life
change in those who hear it?
Care system
Are individuals and special needs cared for properly?
Financial system
Is there adequate funds, accounting and stewardship over the financial resources.
Facilities system
Is there adequate room to meet the current and future needs of the ministry
2. Identifying Leaders
Who are or could be the leaders of 10 in the church?
Who are or could be the leaders of 50 in the church?
Who are or could be the leaders of 100 in the church?
Who are or could be the leaders of 1,000 in the church?
Who are the influencers in the ministry in the church?
Who are blockers in the church?
Who are pushers in the church?
What system does the leader have for influencing these people?
Friends
Committee Structure
Active Team involvement
Sunday School
3. Developing Current and Future Leaders
How many leaders have been developed from within the church?
What is the leader’s plan to develop leaders for the future?
Individual Recruitment
Small Group Development
Large Group Development
Orthodoxy
Orthopraxy
Ministry skills WDEFC
Life Purpose – SHAPE
Leadership Training
SPIRITUAL SYSTEM
Worship System
How does the church draw people into the presence of God on Sunday?
Prayer
Singing
Praise
Worship
Banners
Visuals
Participation
Kneeling
Sounds
Smells
PRAYER SYSTEM
How does the church demonstrate radical dependence upon God?
And insure that it has the blessing, power, and protection of God?
Prayer Before the Services
Prayer Chains
Prayer Seasons
Prayer Classes
Prayer Openings with meaning
Books, Videos, Articles
Prayer Rooms
Prayer Warriors
Prayer Handouts
SPIRITUAL CONNECTION SYSTEM
How does the church equip Christians to draw near to God?
Clear Common Understanding of the Spiritual Disciplines
Regular Classes
Spiritual Workouts
Accountability Partners
Books, Videos, Articles
Announcements
Banners
Visuals
Sermon applications
Retreats
Seminars
Speakers
How does the church equip the staff to draw near to God?
Clear Common Understanding of the Spiritual Disciplines
Work Time to pursue God
Regular Classes
Spiritual Workouts
Accountability Partners
Books, Videos, Articles
Announcements
Banners
Visuals
Sermon applications
Retreats
Seminars
Speakers
DISCIPLESHIP SYSTEM
1. Life Development Process
How does the church expect to draw people from visitor to attender?
How does the church expect to draw people from attender to member?
How does the church expect to draw people from member to mature?
How does the church expect to draw people from mature into service and leadership?
2. Instructional Process
How does the church insure that the instruction given is Biblical?
How does the church insure that the instruction is compelling and desired?
How does the church insure that the instruction given is practical?
How does the church insure that it produces doers of the Word not just hearers?
How does the church insure that some portion of what is taught will be applied?
MINISTRY/EQUIPPING SYSTEM
How are people recruited into ministry?
Announcements
Bulletin
Word of Mouth
Directory
Visitation
Membership Classes
Staff Training
Spiritual gift Classes
Ministry Fair Days
Skills Training Classes
How does the church recognize people who want to serve in an area and those that are serving out of a sense of duty or responsibility?
Staff
Contracts
Resignations
Other
Who does the training of people?
In what ways are people resourced in this ministry?
Books, Videos, Magazines
In house
In Services done by outside groups
Seminars
Does the church encourage involvement in Christian service in other areas?
Does the church recognize involvement in para-church organizations?
How does the church recognize involvement in para-church organizations?
What percentage of people are expected to cycle back into the church and help build the organization?
What percentage of the people are expected to serve outside the church structures?
Does the church see it self as a developer of servants…?
Does the Church have basic tasks written down and constantly reemphasized?
Do those who are delegated to understand the ultimate results desired?
What outside agencies and para-church organizations is the church partnering with?
Evangelism-Assimilation System
What does the church do to attract people who don’t come?
Word of Mouth Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Personal Invitation Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Direct Mail Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Phone Needed Cost Time Approval Person
T.V. Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Radio Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Bill Boards Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Signs Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Flyers Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Door to Door Needed Cost Time Approval Person
First Impression Piece Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Other Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Other Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Other Needed Cost Time Approval Person
What does the church do to insure a good 1st visit?
Traffic Control Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Parking Lot Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Buildings –
Appearance Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Signage Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Information area Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Greeters Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Host and Hostess Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Usher’s Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Runners Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Ministry People (friendly) Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Age awareness –
Children’s Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Youth Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Young Families Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Seniors Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Gifts Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Clear Instructions Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Ease of Connection Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Information Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Refreshments Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Exit Warmth Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Other Needed Cost Time Approval Person
What does the church do in the 1st week after the visit?
Gift Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Phone Call Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Letter Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Visit Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Other Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Other Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Other Needed Cost Time Approval Person
What does the church do the 2nd week?
Phone call Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Info Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Gift Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Visit Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Other Needed Cost Time Approval Person
What does the church do after 2 weeks but before 3 months to retain this visitor?
Guest area Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Food Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Staff Connection Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Job opportunities Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Brunch/desert Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Beginners Class Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Other Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Other Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Other Needed Cost Time Approval Person
How does the church determine growing commitment?
Church Directory Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Altar Call Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Baptism Needed Cost Time Approval Person
SS/BS Attendance Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Involvement Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Membership Needed Cost Time Approval Person
Other Needed Cost Time Approval Person
What does the Church do to involve the attenders in the church’s ministry?
Classes
Announcements
Recruiting
Ministry Fairs
Interviews
Yearly Commitments
How does the Church make people sense care, nurture, connectedness?
Sunday School
Small Groups
Tele Care
Visitation
Potlucks
CARE SYSTEM
How are visitors cared for?
How are attenders cared for?
How are members cared for?
How are those serving cared for?
How are those in crisis identified and cared for?
How are the chronically needy identified and cared for?
How are the deeply emotionally and mentally troubled identified
and cared for or referred?
How are the financially afflicted or needy identified and cared for?
What are the limits?
How are the wounded or abused identified and cared for?
How are the addicted identified and cared for?
How are the various caregivers trained?
Listeners
Friends
Prayers
Hospital
Nursing Homes
Advisors
Recovery
Are their written keys for giving care to the various groups?
How are the care systems publicized?
What parts of care are the pastor’s expected to perform?
FACILITIES SYSTEM
What are the projections for buildings and space needs in 6 months and 3 years?
Worship Space
Nursery Space
Toddler Space
Early Elementary Space
Late Elementary Space
Junior High Space
Senior High Space
College Space
Adult Space
Singles Space
Seniors Space
FINANCES SYSTEM
Are the Pastor and Leaders generous?
Do the Pastor and Leaders tithe?
What is the Pastor’s view of fund raising
Limited amount
Unlimited amount for the right project
What are the Leaders view of fund raising
Limited amount
Unlimited amount for the right project
What is the Pastor/leader’s view of talking about money
Incredibly difficult --------- Part of normal discipleship ----------- Always talking about
Does the Pastor and leaders have a million dollar vision?
What is the church doing to increase giving in the key funding pockets?
Buildings and Maintenance: Light and Heat
Evangelism/Missions: Let’s win the world
New Construction/Building: Bricks and Mortar
Compassion Projects: Cup of cold water
Discipleship/Education: Growth
Special Project: Let’s change the world
Does the church have a consistent plan for raising funds
Share the accomplishments of the year before
Share the Vision
Share the Goals
Stewardship Month
Time
Talent
Treasure
How does the church teach Stewardship throughout the year
Lay minister of the week
Laity pray for offering
Small group emphasis
Annual commitment offering
Christmas gift to Jesus
Testimonies on tithing
Personal Challenges
All tithe Sunday
Mail tithe envelopes
Quarterly giving letter
Sermon illustrations on financial stewardship
Relate giving to church goals
Prayer vigils
Corporate Prayer by tithers for tithers for financial needs
Video on vision to spread what you want to accomplish
Give strategic attention to the top 20%
Pray for winners to come to the church
Does the church have a Stewardship/Commitment Month
Does the pastor talk about financial responsibility as a regular part of the sermons
Is there clear accountability in the handling of funds
What is the history of the church with funds, resources
Rich ---------------- Getting by ---------------- Underfunded
Does the church have a fundraising policy?
What won’t it allow money to be raised for?
What will it allow money to be raised for?
Does the church have a way to thank those who give
Does the church have a way to remind people who give
How does the church / pastor/ leaders develop large gifts
Is the church / pastor afraid of Ask and you shall receive
What is the vision for the next year and three years from now
Giving flows to vision and leaders
If they won’t give you money then they do not trust you
Does the church give to those it receives no benefit from…
Compassion projects Luke 19
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