# survey

communitysuggestions: Other ways to reach out to people like the Christmas Tea.
hash: 16f859326bb566930c753e99def5c5c69d0ce0f86371a28586c62cd7
communicate:
I really liked the volunteer fair that we had a number of years ago where all of the volunteer opportunities were put out on tables with sign up sheets and people to explain each opportunity/area for helping.  That is how I got involved with a couple of things.  I seem to remember that it followed a sermon series on discerning your spiritual gifts and using your talents to serve God's kingdom.


smallgroup: daycare,,,, monthly meetings..... group of people our age......
shorttermtopic: marriage, parenting,, bible study topics
communitysuggestions: continue Trunk or Treat..... maybe a booth at Portage 4th of July fun event.......
hash: 0f704eac9cdfdc3ac027f82b27bc64546ec6ac1cbaa06d6f97af4749
communicate:
has there been any thought on a &quot;Wednesday&quot; night Family night at church where different groups can meet on the same night and even have a meal......sometimes people are at church lots of times during the week,,, by minimalizing the days might encourage more participation... though our facility might not be big enough for something like that.........has it been brought up about changing the ages for GEMs and Cadets... maybe 1st grade-5th grade,, ,allowing 6-8th grades to attend more Youth Group events and not having to choose between all the groups they attend.... as of now it goes thru 8th grade.... things overlap and then the student/parents have to make choices..... then groups suffer from those choices.................the evening service has become mundane.... would like to see a more up beat service or change the whole service or not having it at all....something should change somehow....not family friendly..... aimed at older adults ............


smallgroup: perhaps if the small groups met on a Sunday night instead of an evening service
hash: 90700aaa0dabe8070ef0b5ac861e3cd464010b413f8f5bfe686962c0
communitysuggestions:
perhaps  more direct contact with at need or at risk groups sponsorship of  winter coat drives and the like.

communicate:
some what disappointed that the above survey is rather narrow in scope and for as much time  as the committee has ben active I was hoping  that there would be a more concrete  ideas. for the long term vision of the church


shorttermtopic: Galatians
hash: 0307cdf1a915468a9d0ecae4d83f36d78fe5213f3ab93c2d0d876e61
communitysuggestions:
Picnic in the Parking Lot - invite neighborhood through door flyers.
Service projects to families in neighborhood.


communicate: I am unable to do anything in the church.
hash: fec87423ef14a2c9048645ab2a7f2576f91a25dcc11d41531b3671a0
smallgroup:
I would like 8 or 10 people to go to the Stonerocks as they are unable to leave the house. Also I know the Grimm's would like to be in this small group

communitysuggestions:
Firs off you need someone to do the job before you add anything else. I think it very sad that someone can't step up even maybe 2 or 3 people do the job


smallgroup: Asked / Part of a group of a similar stage of life.
communitysuggestions: Not at this moment
communicate: -100
hash: a080fa50f493d5522e54d7a35364a6650e01b69cdae37cd77ee5f347
shorttermtopic:
Maybe for both.  I'm currently teaching Sunday School.  Topic suggestions: Marriage, managing resources god gives you


shorttermtopic: -100
communitysuggestions: -100
communicate: -100
hash: a080fa50f493d5522e54d7a35364a6650e01b69cdae37cd77ee5f347
smallgroup:
The small groups are so established that its been our experience that its hard to join. We tried to but felt too new and uncomfortable.


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
hash: a080fa50f493d5522e54d7a35364a6650e01b69cdae37cd77ee5f347
communitysuggestions:
I'm not sure if more activities is the answer.  There are many events that already take place - and I think getting volunteers or people who participate in those is difficult. 
Church garage sale - how many of you attended? What a great time to talk to those from the community!
Easter egg hunts - that was also a great way to be involved with the community.
VBS and Wild Game Dinner - Also great events.  I think these are great but don't see many different people step up to volunteer.

communicate:
Question 5. Different that the prayer chain? I would like to see the prayer chain used more often.  It would be great to receive updates... like if we have a prayer request that came out on Tuesday, it would be great to receive an update a couple days later.  Or if someone had a loved one who passed away late in the week - we don't hear about it till Sunday.
6. 5:30 Makes the afternoon very short.  Not every Sunday evening is there an activity.  I don't think 6p has been a issue for our family.
11. I like having the praise songs and hymns.  Its a good mix.


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
communicate: -100
hash: a080fa50f493d5522e54d7a35364a6650e01b69cdae37cd77ee5f347
communitysuggestions:
I would like to see the current activities more readily used first, then more as people start to participate.


smallgroup: Not sure
shorttermtopic: -100
communicate: 4) Wasn't aware of one. 5) Maybe - isn't that the prayer chain?
hash: a080fa50f493d5522e54d7a35364a6650e01b69cdae37cd77ee5f347
communitysuggestions:
Not now.  Because we're struggling to fill volunteer positions now.  Also I think that we have been burning out our current volunteers.  Also some of the outreach programs need money and were not in good enough financial shape for that.


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
hash: a080fa50f493d5522e54d7a35364a6650e01b69cdae37cd77ee5f347
communitysuggestions:
Adopt a family type programs, like we do at Christmas all year to make giving more personalized. People are sometimes more generous when they know where the gifts are going.

communicate:
I think profession of faith should be open/welcoming to kids younger than high school in a different capacity.  There is a separate form for kids on the CRC website.  Probably won't happen while Phil is here.


shorttermtopic: -100
communitysuggestions: -100
communicate: -100
hash: be9309451f3b280302357bc48d89c9fc8ed24d4804042643b2a38077
smallgroup:
A direct invitation from a group would be the most likely way for me to begin attending again.  It's like to previous question about volunteering more, it's a lot harder to say &quot;no&quot; when someone asks.  It is very easy to ignore in print.


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
communicate: -100
hash: 342b06a5843a31103e3b51cc82483670bf6f1e7ae1999939fc636dc2
communitysuggestions:
I think we should use the facility to bring more people into the church.  (Basketball, volleyball, etc)


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
communitysuggestions: Come alongside the City of Portage in city events.
hash: 80462e9bede7af3186e3e01f84b2f55a89e677fb812e52765bee2e8e
communicate:
I'd like to see our youth program expand beyond the families of the church, I feel like we have a great opportunity to reach the youth of this community in bringing the &quot;Good News&quot; to the youth either as our church alone or in cooperation with other churches.


shorttermtopic: -100
communitysuggestions: -100
hash: 174b88141053ad606b03f9679a4fa775146154ac564812f52358d8cb
smallgroup:
I had been a member of small groups since it's inception until 2 years ago when my husband had to full of a plate and stepped down from being the leader.  Someone else took over the leadership but due to many of our group being gone on off we did not meet on a regular basis.  Last year our leader decided that our group was disbanding but never really checked with the goup as a whole.  I have recently talked to Dick Ryan and when we are ready to be in a group again we'll let him know

communicate:
5) I'm not sure what you mean by this.  We already have a &quot;prayer chain&quot; and a Saturday morning prayer meeting the second Saturday of every month.  I feel further explanation of this was needed.
8) Maybe, if I did not know about the need
10) I attend adult Sunday School and thoroughly enjoy Bob Jackson's leadership
12) Unless we can get some more of our members, both old and new, to participate and we can keep our budge out of the red, I don't see how we can add more.  It is a lot of the same people who do all the volunteering and have been for years.

Thank you to the committee for all your work and willingness to serve on this task.


smallgroup: not sure?
shorttermtopic: -100
communitysuggestions: -100
hash: 174b88141053ad606b03f9679a4fa775146154ac564812f52358d8cb
communicate:
4) didn't know there was one
5) isn't that what the prayer chain is for?
6) could help but time is not the main issue.  It is time for fresh blood behind the pulpit and a fresh new service.  Too old school.
8) not any more.  too burnt out
10) maybe
11) lately there have been way too many new Praise Team songs which doesn't make it worshipful to sing.  I love worship songs but it is not enjoyable when there are so many new ones like on Easter.  That ruins the whole service.
12) At this point it is always the same people volunteering and we are burnt out.  the new families joining have not stepped up to the plate.  Until new volunteers start coming forward we can not add new things and may need to stop some of the events we do now.

I do not believe the following topics have been brought to the congregation as issues that have to do greatly with the vision of the church.  If you have presented them, I do apologize.
1.  The programs we have - we are the only church NOT doing Wednesday night programs.  That should be addressed.
2.  are our programs still good.  Do they need revamping or updating.  Are the ages good
3.  with a full time youth director hired should the kids be meeting more often.  Is it time for new volunteer leaders?
4.  should Sunday school start in 4th grade after children in worship.  Too much sitting is expected from the kids starting at 4 years old to do children's worship the SS singling then Sunday School.  Overload!
5.  how to make Sunday school more appealing to the kids
6.  is it time to move forward with a new Pastor.  Church is at a standstill and has a very bad underlying tone.  There is a negative vibe in the air.  Seem to be repeating of services going on and no new fresh ideas.  Such as lessons and carols every single year.  Also very short sermons lately.  10-15 mins.
7.  children and profession of faith.  Why is it that only high school aged kids and above are encouraged to make profession faith.  No one should be deciding for younger kids if they are ready.  Only that child and God knows the spiritual relationship.  There shouldn't be an age limit put on it.
8.  Committees should change members out every two years.  All things need fresh new ideas!
9.  Sound system - there are issues almost weekly.  We need to better train those working it or look into a new system if that is the issue.
10.  PECRC is very stuck in it's ways.  Need to step it up to be more appealing to younger generations.  Get out of the old school rut!


shorttermtopic: -100
hash: 174b88141053ad606b03f9679a4fa775146154ac564812f52358d8cb
smallgroup:
Have been on and off for many years.  It takes good fellowship and encouragement to get others to join small groups

communitysuggestions:
as a church we need outreach activities; however I am not sure that church growth occurs through Easter Egg hunts or Reformation Day candy hand outs.  However, we need events that entail personal contact.  One reach challenge and vision needs to be how to fire up our congregation to see the need to live personal lives of outreach to the lost.

communicate:
5) we presently have prayer chain and Saturday morning prayer once each month, maybe we need to work on getting good prayer response to these two events first
6) we have tried this before and it made no difference in attracting more young couples to evening worship.  The older members appreciate it though.
8) I am very aware that many of our members will not volunteer unless they are directly asked
10) not able to participate.  Have no problem with a second class
11) I enjoy all our music

Thanks to the Vision Committee for doing due diligence to this most challenging task.

I noticed that the on-line version of this questionnaire included a last question, &quot;is there anything else you would like to communicate to the Vision Committee?&quot;  I have to confess that when I reviewed this questionnaire I wondered aloud what topics and subjects may have been discussed by our Vision Committee that did not appear in this survey.  Allow me to jot down here a few thoughts that come to mind.
1.  What should our churches vision be regarding our church leaders i.e. Pastor/Preacher, Youth Director, Outreach Director, Visiting Pastor and Church Council. (Do we seek a council that communicates more/less with the congregation regarding church issues)
2.  Do we visualize a Worship Director position in the future?
3.  What do we as a church and/parents of our youth visualize for our youth programs?  What are our expectations for our Youth Director?
4.  What is our vision for our youth programs i.e. Cadets, Gems, Sunday School etc?
5.  Would it be wise for us to consolidate our church programs, potlucks, fellowship etc into a single Wednesday weekly event? (Cadets and Gems can alternate Wednesdays) it is known that all of our CRC churches and many other denominations in Kalamazoo use this protocol in order to avoid scheduling issues with non-church activities many of our youth are involved in.
6.  How do we visualize the process whereby we as a church identify our various gifts and the draw them out of more of our congregants than we are presently accomplishing?
7.  How do we visualize growing our church, besides asking the Holy Spirit's help in accomplishing that mission?

Personally I would have like to have received a questionnaire with these types of questions passed out to our congregants early on in this process in order to help the Vision Committee gain some focus and learn more about the pulse/mindset of this congregation.  

None the less I thank all of you for your hard work and will continue to pray God's blessings on the Vision Committee as this process moves along.


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
communitysuggestions: this idea is good as long as approved by council
hash: 174b88141053ad606b03f9679a4fa775146154ac564812f52358d8cb
communicate:
5) I do not have a computer
7) n/a because of age
10) nice idea for those not in adult Sunday school
11) would like a few more hymns becuause the are easier to sing for me


smallgroup: I travel out of town too much
shorttermtopic: -100
communitysuggestions: -100
hash: 174b88141053ad606b03f9679a4fa775146154ac564812f52358d8cb
communicate:
5) I would give it a try
7) I have a yearly commitment to Gems
12) yes if there are sufficient volunteers; no if it isn't analyzed yearly for effectiveness


smallgroup: -100
communitysuggestions: neighborhood picnic
communicate: Sally Kuipers
hash: 442cd6afe493a64aa32090fa7e0af47689988ac2c5d757fc188809f7
shorttermtopic:
Remembering the power of the gospel during Alzheimer's disease.
This short study would be based on the book Second Forgetting by Dr. Benjamin Mast and would include how the church can come alongside families and those struggling. 


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
communicate: -100
hash: f50717eea80d2f928fd959a0a9f319d5f467d1ad346257c6e6b1ab23
communitysuggestions:
Being in an outreach position now, I would love to offer suggestions and help to whomever is hired into the new position. I have many many suggestions. 


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
hash: fe2eeb5cb9a72c61e1083ed59956c81a4d14d7846cdadd39d853ecbe
communitysuggestions:
I think the Easter Egg Hunt and Trunk or Treat should be stopped.  I don't see these events as being effective.  We could try a community breakfast so people could see our facilities, meet people, etc.  We could set up stations so guests could see the different activities and/or events that we offer for children and adults on Sundays and throughout the week.

communicate:
It's unfortunate that this question was not on the hard copy survey.  I think that part of the vision for the future of PECRC is to ask the question, &quot;should we continue the evening service&quot;?  This time might be better spent having Small Groups meet during this time frame.  This would also free up time for the pastor to do more visitations during the week and thus eliminating the need for a pastor of visitation.  Are there any plans for a post-high group.  Would this be something that our new Youth Director might head up?  


shorttermtopic: -100
communitysuggestions: -100
hash: 5eb9d5730080f8f48fd825ec5ce15119739633f116efcf763fef30aa
smallgroup:
We are unable to do a lot of things right now due to several different circumstances.  We were members of a small group for 14 years and are taking a break right now.  

communicate:
Standing for all the Praise songs can be somewhat difficult for many seniors so maybe sitting down for the last one would be helpful.  We have generally been involved in many things but right now are limited due to circumstances.  Hopefully that will be resolved in the next six months.


hash: a080fa50f493d5522e54d7a35364a6650e01b69cdae37cd77ee5f347
smallgroup:
N/A already attend a small group. But here's an idea:
What would it look like to have small groups that are groups of people that live close in proximity to each other? (In the same neighborhood or close to the same neighborhood, so that you can easily invite others from the neighborhood into your small group for a potluck or get together.) That seems like the most logical way to bring people in.

shorttermtopic:
Normally I would be willing to facilitate, but because of young kids, I cannot do this. Topics: Sabbath rest...what does this look like; living counter-culture yet being relevant.

communitysuggestions:
Not specifically. But reaching out more to LOCAL neighbors (close in proximity to church) would seem to make sense. Asking neighbors what they think about &quot;church&quot; and how we can love them better in the name of Christ.

communicate:
In addition to outreach activities, somehow lighting a fire under people to seriously reach out to our neighbors (not only close to church, but close to where each member of the congregation lives).


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
hash: 644d2400f9e8ce64d330251d195eb2d9cce69781b09e02883d24832d
communitysuggestions:
Perhaps we could have a clothing closet... I don't think there is anything in the community specific to kids.

communicate:
We need to get out into our surrounding neighbourhoods- for example, invite the local communities to vbs etc.  Perhaps providing some sort of transportation to help kids get there.  As a church we need to be more &quot;hands-on&quot; in the community.  Provide transportation to services for WMU students or people in the community.  This is huge barrier for some people to getting to a church.

I would also like to see our church send out groups for short-term mission trips (either in the U.S. or abroad)... I see no reason why the only trips include the youth.  I think that is great but it would be better if the adults were also modeling &quot;going forth&quot; as well and I think intergenerational trips would be awesome. I would be willing to help coordinate and lead a trip as I have experience doing so. 


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
hash: 644d2400f9e8ce64d330251d195eb2d9cce69781b09e02883d24832d
communitysuggestions:
Get rid of trunk or treat.  Outreach activities deemed effective are the ones that bring people into our church.

communicate:
Isn't the online prayer group what we already have?

I volunteer for nursery, coffee server, and wild game dinner.

8 songs per service is replacing the preaching! We need to cut down the number of songs in a service! Two songs is plenty to start the service!


smallgroup: Our small group stopped meeting in 2012, may join in the future
shorttermtopic: -100
communicate: -100
hash: 644d2400f9e8ce64d330251d195eb2d9cce69781b09e02883d24832d
communitysuggestions:
Our morning service is 95% full.  If we want to grow, we should consider a second morning service.  The second service could be more seeker sensitive.  To free up resources for the second service, the evening service may need to be sacrificed.


smallgroup: member
shorttermtopic: -100
communicate: -100
hash: 644d2400f9e8ce64d330251d195eb2d9cce69781b09e02883d24832d
communitysuggestions:
I think we have a nice variety of things we do in the community.  We would probably have to partner up with other churches (as we have previously) if we would want to accomplish more.


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: Nearly any
communicate: -100
hash: 644d2400f9e8ce64d330251d195eb2d9cce69781b09e02883d24832d
communitysuggestions:
I think we're getting close to volunteer capacity.  But perhaps a Pig Roast, Children's events (fun night) or Neighborhood Carnival


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
hash: 0cd9c76febb11513854508034cdbd1840aa17754013022033df5358a
communitysuggestions:
School backpack food programs, be contact people for those at the gospel mission once they get out on their feet, winter coat drive

communicate:
Would like more details about where the vision committee is headed.  Need to know the motivation of the church, how to grow and reach out.  This survey is pretty basic.


smallgroup: Better materials, better leadership, multi-generational, or I would prefer a spiritual mentor.
shorttermtopic: Living on mission (see Jen Hatmaker's &quot;Interrupted&quot; as an example
hash: 0cd9c76febb11513854508034cdbd1840aa17754013022033df5358a
communitysuggestions:
We should ask the community how they would like to be served or what their needs are.  Building relationships and serving those outside the wall of our church is the best way to show the love of Christ.  We must go to the people.

communicate:
(8) But not randomly asked.  Asked in a way that intentionally matches my gifts with the volunteer need.  I feel like there are many ways I want to serve in and outside of the church but I don't always know how to best offer my gifts or who to connect with in order to share my ideas or figure out how I can help.


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
communitysuggestions: -100
hash: 0cd9c76febb11513854508034cdbd1840aa17754013022033df5358a
communicate:
(11) Feel we stand way too long at start of morning worship. It would be nice if senior citizens were considered.  But we know P.E. doesn't consider senior citizens only youth!


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
communitysuggestions: -100
hash: 0cd9c76febb11513854508034cdbd1840aa17754013022033df5358a
communicate:
(11) A blend is nice, sing all types during worship.  Incorporate the organ with praise band. Just the organ is too loud.


shorttermtopic: -100
communicate: -100
hash: 0cd9c76febb11513854508034cdbd1840aa17754013022033df5358a
smallgroup:
Have been up to recently.  Just when you get comfortable with your group it gets broken up.  Starting with a new group isn't always easy for everyone.

communitysuggestions:
Our existing programs are a productive way to reach out to the community.  But they should also be monitored after several years to see if they are bringing new families to Sunday services.  If not they should be dropped and new programs put in place.


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
communitysuggestions: -100
hash: 0cd9c76febb11513854508034cdbd1840aa17754013022033df5358a
communicate:
We did not have enough discussion on the women in office issue.  Public Discussion.  Just one survey does not explain the ruling (6) Would that really solve the problem of diminishing attendance? No. (8) But it depends on what it is! (11) I can't believe though that on Easter morning there no old Easter songs that the children could sing!  Shame on us.


shorttermtopic: -100
communicate: (11) More traditional songs for Christmas and Easter would be nice.
hash: 0cd9c76febb11513854508034cdbd1840aa17754013022033df5358a
smallgroup:
Stop making existing small groups split up when they reach a certain # of people.  Instead, start a new group.

communitysuggestions:
I think that any outreach such as Halloween, Easter Egg Hunt, and Wild Game Dinner should be monitored to see how effectively they are bringing new people to our church.


smallgroup: -100
shorttermtopic: -100
communicate: -100
hash: 0cd9c76febb11513854508034cdbd1840aa17754013022033df5358a
communitysuggestions:
We at Prairie Edge have been blessed with great sermons, Sunday School, Bible Studies, youth programs.  So I believe in my heart that we should use the talent we have been given out in the world where we are at.  Let us shine like the stars.  Everyone is so busy we don't need another committee.  All said with the love of Jesus in my heart for each Prairie Edge Member.


