Communication Survey Results

A Church wide congregational survey was conducted between 26 May and 12 June 2006. Surveys were made available on the Web Site, the Information Station and distributed via the bi-monthly Covenant Messenger. The following summarizes the information received.

--The Communication Ministry Team

(Sandy Breitmeier, Eric Edgerton, Mary Kaminski, Chad Morrison,

Doug Riddagh, Bob Wailes, Brad Williams, Harris Hickman)

ARE WE COMMUNICATING YET

A man spoke frantically into the phone: "My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart."

"Is this her first child?" the doctor asked. "No!" the man shouted, "This is her husband!"

Summary

· Of the ninety-eight (98) members that returned the survey the majority (63%), were over the age of 64 and had been a church member for over 10 years (64%).

· 72% of those same members usually attend some type of Sunday School or Bible Study class in addition to the Saturday night or Sunday morning worship service.

· Those same members felt that news about the Session and news about upcoming Musical events, ranked high on the list of important information.

· They also indicated that the Church Bulletin and the Covenant Messenger were the best ways to find out what was going on at church and also wanted the Covenant Messenger to continue to be delivered on a bi-monthly bases.

· 80% of the returned surveys indicated that Eastminster was doing a good job in communicating.

· We received 34 additional comments.

--The Communication Ministry Team

Aug 2006

Summary for each survey question

Total Surveys Collected

A total of 98 surveys were received over the 18 day period.

This represents approximately 22% of our average attendance each weekend. Information was obtained only from those who turned in the survey form. No additional effort was made to personally interview all groups in the church equally.

Attendance at Eastminster

Of those 98 that submitted surveys, 38% came from members that have attended Eastminster for less than 10 years. 28% came from members that have attended for over ten years but less than twenty. 34% came from members that have attended Eastminster for over 20 years.

This represents clear majority of members (62%)that have attended Eastminster for longer than 10 years.

Based on such a majority of “long time members,” one could draw a possible conclusion that newer members (<10 years) may not have felt a need to respond to a church communication survey or did not have the opportunity to respond.

Age Group

53% of the surveys returned came from people between the ages of 64 and 81. 9% came from people over the age of 81. Only 13% of those that responded came from members 45 years old and under.

62% of those that took the survey were age 64 and older.

This seems to track the previous response on Church Attendance. The older members would also be older in age possibly. As you continue through these results, bear in mind that the majority of the submitted surveys came from members who have been at Eastminster over 10 years and are older than 64.

Involved in Christian Education

Of those that responded, 72% are involved in some type of Sunday School class, Bible study or Women's Circle. 28% indicated they only come for the worship experience.

The survey showed that 72% of the members are involved with some type of Bible Study. This is a positive indication that we are doing the right things with Christian Education.

Eastminster should possibly encourage the development of more small groups and focused Bible Studies to encourage the remaining 28% to become involved.

Existing Communications at Eastminster

Returned surveys indicated the following important information to know about Eastminster.

Very Important News to be informed about:

Session News

Music Events

Important News to be informed about:

Volunteer Needs

Fellowship

Outreach

Christian Education

Less Important News to be informed about:

Children's Information

Pre-School

Youth

Session information is chosen to be #1 and with upcoming Musical Events chosen as #2 for news that is very important to be informed about.

This response should be tempered possibly with the Age Group that responded to the survey and does not necessarily indicate that as a Church, we are any less interested in children or youth than we are in Session decisions. It does point out a possible need as far as our older, more long term members in wanting to know more about Session decisions.

The best source of information on Eastminster is: (ranked in order)

Church Bulletin

Covenant Messenger

Pastors Pulpit Announcements

Special Mail outs

Church Signs

Web Site

The survey revealed that the most popular method of obtaining up-to-date information on Eastminster is to read Church Bulletin and / or the Covenant Messenger.

As more and more of our members and guests become connected via the internet, new methods will begin to emerge as to the way we gather information. The popularity of Eastminster’s Email and Web Site information will continue to grow. The national trend for larger churches is toward less and less material being printed and more information being electronically displayed and send out. As an example, a 15,000 member church in Southern California uses no printed material for any of it’s 5 services each Sunday. There are also no hymnals in the pews. All information is presented overhead.

Covenant Messenger

Of the respondents, 76% felt that the bi-monthly mailing of the Covenant Messenger works the best.

At the present time, Eastminster collects articles, publishes, folds and mails out over 1020+ copies of the Covenant Messenger twice a month. This huge task is done by our Church Secretary (Terrie Callahan) and a team (13) of hard working volunteers. If you would like to help out with this important task then call Terrie at the church office (723-8371)

The average cost to the Church for each bi-monthly mail out is $240 or $6240 yearly. In contrast, the cost for each bi-monthly email is $0. Unfortunately at the present time not all members have access to email.

Overall, how well are we doing with communication here at Eastminster?

80% felt that the Eastminster was doing a good job. 20% felt there was room for improvement.

This response indicates that Eastminster is doing a fairly good job in communicating with our members, guests and the community.

Of notice is the 20% that felt that we as a Church were below standard in our ability to communicate in a timely and accurate manner.

In addition to the above responses the Communications Ministry Team received over 34 hand written, additional comments ranging from the pastor’s sermons to the way we have "missed the boat" when it comes to following up our visiting guests. Selected comments are included below.

Comments submitted (last updated: 08/06/2007)

1 I would like to see more fellowship opportunities for single/divorced members over the age of 30. Also, I usually receive the newsletter after the date that some of the activities that are announced have taken place.

2 Continue the use of email/internet. More content in the Covenant Messenger. i.e. testimonies, what God is doing in people's lives, mission trip summaries, etc

3 Suggest that when a member passes away, that an email be sent to every member to notify them of the memorial services schedule. We had a dear friend died and did not learn of it until a month later. All you need to do is set a mailing list, type a short note and press the send key

4 I have never been clear about the change from 11:00 to 10:30 worship services on Sunday morning. Was there a reason for this? Was it ever explained to the congregation?

5 I believe Eastminster should try an art show to bring more of the community into the Church. The musical presentation do this now. An art show would create more interest.

6 We love Eastminster. For 46 years our Pastor & Fellow members have been a blessing.

7 Excellent pastor/ teaching and preaching a church that is interested in its people. Good outreach and excellent services both Sunday morning and Saturday night.

8 I think we need a better system regarding the receptionists. (for example- maybe just one or two paid employees.)

9 Interoffice communication at the church needs improved. There is often confusion and contradiction when to obtain information from or convey information to the church staff.

10 The communication in this church is excellent, I feel the secretary is over worked.

11 I love the website - I love getting the email newsletter. Very effective.

12 Suggest that the covenant messenger is e-mailed or put on website rather than mailed.

13 Interested in finding out if you do have a question or concern who/what is proper channel to go thru. For instance, asking who makes decision regarding hiring of youth director, who decides when youth group starts for incoming youth. Who to contact regarding organizing a session trip, a Sun. School party, etc. Org. chart or flow chart of session would be helpful.

14 The calendar that comes in the Messenger is not understandable to me. What does it mean?

15 Include 1 old "standard" hymn during worship service.

16 Word of mouth important- but not always accurate.

17 Why does the church phone answering system ask, "If you would like to hear a list of the company directory then press...."??? I though we were a church?

18 I think there should be more explanation in bulletin about circle groups. List them every time and tell what they are so if someone is new - they know what the group is.

19 Don't have e-mail.

20 VBS dates where everywhere but times were not, Sat night order of worship (in bulletin) not really needed in my opinion, thank you for all you do.

21 10 AM, do not like this early time. Heard from others in congregation too much bells in jangling manner with hymns - noise opposed to beauty of music.

22 I would like a place to sign petitions on-line or available - such as against same sex marriage - Grassfire or others I set them to my e-mails but others may not know of them.

23 I think we need to work @ increasing our youth attendance to Sunday School - working with Syd to come up with ways to attract more young people.

24 What is the goal of our missionaries overseas? Do we have a country of focus? I don't understand why one of our staff members is permanently assigned to Hungary?

25 We are sorry that communion is not taken to shut-ins. Why don't we advertise our Church in the paper?

26 When good news or otherwise comes from the congregation during prayer requests, could the pulpit please repeat the comment so we all can hear.

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