The vestry has accepted an invitation from our diocese to be one of three West Virginia and one of one hundred and fifty Episcopal churches nationwide to participate in a pilot project called the “Church Assessment Tool.” This tool is a questionnaire meant to help congregations get a “picture” of who and where they are right now.
It is especially meant for congregations in transition such as those beginning a search for new clergy leadership. The results will be very helpful to the vestry and search committee in developing a parish profile that goes to all potential candidates for our next rector.
Everyone in the parish over the age of sixteen will have an opportunity to fill out the questionnaire. It consists of 85 (eighty-five) questions, it will take about twenty minutes to complete, and it maintains the anonymity of each responder. Questions asked cover five areas: personal views and beliefs, priorities for ministry, participation in church life, and individual and household data. The survey will help leaders get a picture of, among other things, what “drives” member participation in worship and ministry and financial and other support for those ministries.
A letter will be mailed to each member sixteen or older on 12 January with instructions on how to complete the CAT. Then members will have from 15 January to 4 February to respond to the invitation.
The vestry is grateful for this opportunity to participate (at no financial cost) in a project that can help Christ Church get a clearer picture of our ministry and to prepare us for a new future under new clergy leadership. The full participation of our members in this project will assure that we make good use of this opportunity and strengthen our hope for that future.
Posted by Linda at 9:18 PM PST
