WestSideStory Update All-Congregation Survey Results

Meeting with the Congregation May 1, 2016

• Opening Prayer • WestSideStory Mission

– To actively listen to our congregation and community, engage them in fruitful conversation, and prayerfully cultivate our response to God’s call for West Side Presbyterian Church.

• What WestSideStory is and what it isn't • What has happened/is happening

– Hospitality • Deacon Re-Imagination • House Committee • Sunday Meals

– Spiritual Growth • Pastoral Associate Expansion • Seminarians 2016-2017 • Sailboat vs. Rowboat Church

– Local Mission • 10x10

Welcome

Laura Angelone Barbara Bolger Shelagh Brooke Jina Choi Joe Grant Brian Hanse Michael Holt Lucy Ianacone

WestSideStory Committee Members

Laura Impomeni Michael Kane Karen Klockner Mollie Ledwith Bill McCord Jai Park Lilly Pierce Tom Stevens

• The survey allowed us to reach many people and seek their opinions across many topics

• Listening groups and individual interviews provide the opportunity to delve more deeply into specific issues – Across different generations – Across different groups within the congregation

• Analysis of growing Presbyterian churches in our area provided a snapshot of best practice

• Church visits, currently underway, will provide inspiration for new ideas

The Survey Is Just One Part of the Learning Plan Currently In Progress

• September Leadership Summit • Additional Presentations and other Communication to

Session/Congregation • End of Year Wrap-Up

Completion Timeline

ALL CONGREGATION SURVEY RESULTS

• Executive Summary • Background • Detailed Survey Results

– What attracts people to West Side – What keeps people engaged with West Side – What do we seek personally from the church – What do we think is important to ensure West Side’s future

• Part A (choose 10 - activities that could be accomplished within existing resources)

• Part B (choose 5 - those that require investment)

Agenda

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Our congregation is highly motivated to be involved – Outstanding response to the survey – 446 completed surveys; 464 answers to open-ended questions

• As a congregation, we are more like-minded than not – Strong consistency of response across different groups – Indicates it is possible to develop a unifying vision and plan – Also suggests that we consider how to expand appeal to those who

seek different experiences in a community of faith

• More is right with WS than not – Overall ratings are high – Open end comments were largely positive – Fiscal responsibility and some dissatisfaction with current leadership

and direction emerge, but at very low rates

A Strong, Positive Response Provides Helpful Direction for WestSideStory

Key Strengths Outweigh Weaknesses

Inspiring Preaching/Message Excellence in Music Good for children and youth Welcoming congregation Range of activities

Mission

+ _

What People Seek: 3 Big Themes Emerge

Spiritual development

Supportive church family

Serving others

Small spiritual groups

Adult education

Understand the Bible

Spiritual disciplines

Learn how to pray Preaching /

Message that inspires and puts

life in context

Warm, inviting feeling

Help with life struggles & pain

Nurture children; family

life

Helping new members integrate

Social activities

Local/Community

National/ international

Importance of Key Factors Shifts Over Time

Worship service Feeling welcome

Sunday School Music/Choir

Worship Service Feeling welcome

Spiritual Development Involvement in activities

Spiritual Development Serving Others

Helping each other Involvement in activities

• “40 Somethings” – Population spikes at this age as parents with young children move into

the area – This is the age when engagement with West Side increases, likely driven

by desire to find a church home for children • Building the Foundation congregation

– Analysis of other growing Presbyterian churches and other denominations in the area show correlation with strong contemporary music program

– Foundation regular attendance is consistent with the traditional service, indicating a strong desire to be engaged

– However, those who attend Foundation appear to want more opportunities to integrate with the church

• Amplifying Service and Mission – Not currently identified as a strength – Identified as an important aspiration in the survey and demonstrated by

the strong response to 10x10

West Side Opportunities

BACKGROUND Data Review

An Outstanding Response – 446 in Total, With Most Major Groups Well Represented

11 11 15

62

85 74

88

0

20

40

60

80

100

14-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+

30

315

27

050

100150200250300350

Chapel 10:00 AM Foundation

65 87 92

155

0

50

100

150

200

0-4 YRS 5 - 14 YRS 15 - 24 YRS 25+ YRS

46 64

96

177

0

50

100

150

200

0-11 12 - 24` 25-39 40+

Distribution by Age - #

Distribution by Years with WS - #

Distribution by Service Attended - #

Distribution by Avg. Annual Attendance - #

Note: individual sub-groups do not add to 446 because of less than full response to demographic –type questions

For Perspective: West Side Population Reflects Area Trends

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Under 20 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+

Glen Rock Ridgewood Wyckoff Allendale

Source: Factfinder; Census.gov

Spikes at Age 40; Largest adult population

segment in the area

% of Residents by Age

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s +% of Adult Population; Area average % of WS Adults Surveyed

However, West Side Membership Is Under-Developed With 40-Somethings, The Largest Adult Group in Our Area

DETAILED RESULTS

WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO WEST SIDE?

0 20 40 60 80 100

Wanted a church home for important…

Youth mission trips and camps

Youth or children’s choir program

Fellowship opportunities

Baptism or confirmation opportunity…

Music/Choir/Orchestral

Sunday school program

Traditional worship service

Welcoming, inviting feeling

Message/Preaching

Very Important Extremely Important

Q 2: Key Factors of Importance When First Joining West Side Ranked as Important by More than 50% Among Total Respondents

Top Tier – feeling inspired and welcome

Traditional Sunday offerings

close behind

Next tier focused on family/youth and

fellowship

Q 2: Key Factors of Importance When First Joining West Side All Factor Rankings Among Total respondents

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Contemporary worship serviceMid-Week Youth Fellowship

Nursery school admission preference for membersSmall spiritual groups

The building/the architectureAfter school youth fellowship

Cultural – e.g. Hillside Players, concerts Wanted to be part of a big congregation

Opportunity to contribute financially to missionAdult classes

Convenient locationOpportunity to participate in mission

Recommended to me by friend/familyWanted a church home for important life events like…

Youth mission trips and campsYouth or children’s choir program

Fellowship opportunitiesBaptism or confirmation opportunity for children or…

Music/Choir/OrchestralSunday school program

Traditional worship serviceWelcoming, inviting feeling

Message/Preaching

Very Important Extremely Important

As we move below the top tier reasons,

“extremely important” %s start

to decline, indicating that these are less critical factors to attracting new

members

The building, Nursery school or contemporary worship are not major

drivers to join WS

The Majority of Segments Share the Same Top 5 Reasons For Joining West Side, Including Newer Members

Rank Order TOTAL HAVE CHILDREN

SERVICE ATTENDED: T2Box # Yrs with WS By Age

Top 5 Comparison TRAD CHAPEL 5:15 0-4 5 - 14` 15-24 25+ 20-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+

Message/Preaching 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 2 1 1 Welcoming, inviting feeling 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 4

Traditional worship service 3 3 3 4 17 4 5 3 2 6 4 4 4 2

Sunday school program 4 4 4 3 5 5 3 4 5 4 3 3 3 6 Music/Choir/Orchestra 5 5 5 8 4 3 4 5 4 1 5 6 5 3 Differences Baptism or confirmation opportunity for children/youth

5 5

Fellowship opportunities 3 5

Contemporary worship 7 Youth or children’s choir program 5

As expected, traditional worship not important to

those who attend 5:15 but note that contemporary

worship ranked #7

Ranking of the top 5 reasons for joining WS

Music less important to those

who attend chapel, but still high on the list

Fellowship ranks higher among those

attending 5:15

Summary of Open-End Responses; n=124 # Responses

Connection/Community: Net • To make friends/connections • Welcoming/inviting feeling at WS • Specific individuals/visits made me feel welcome • Felt inclusive/accepting of differences • Wanted large congregation

33 13 11 5 4 3

Good for Children/Youth: Net • General/good place to raise family/for my children • Choir program • Babysitting available for church/events • Sunday school • Nursery School • All other

32 13 6 3 3 2

10

Pastors: Net • Supportive; helped me personally • Named specific pastor • General/good pastors/like pastors • All Other

23 11 9 6 3

Preaching: Net • General; good preaching/like sermons • Inclusive, moderate, mainstream message • Sermons/message provide spiritual/life guidance

22 16 4 3

Open-End Responses Mirror Quantitative Results (Q3)

“Convenient location / Opportunities for young children / Meeting new friends / Large enough church to accommodate a variety of views”

“Barbara Schott's personal visit helped convince us that we were making the right decision”

“When I experienced west side for the first time, I was so very touched by the sermon I had to attend the next service and before I knew it I became a member.”

Mrs. Ho Ho has been in my life since I was 3 and I love the music program and everything the church has to offer with the choir program

“My son started coming to Tuesday afternoon Barn and loved it. He wanted us to change churches and join West Side. We love it!”

Summary of Open-End Responses; n=124 # Responses

Worship Experience: Net • Music/choir • Seek specific styles • Other

22 15 4 5

Family Connection: Net • Raised in West Side/Parents’ decision • Other family connection • Child’s involvement in West Side

19 11 5 3

Spiritual Growth: Net • General; spiritual growth opportunities • Small groups • Bible study • Other classes

12 6 4 2 2

Mission: Net • General • Local • International

10 7 4 2

Facility: Net • Location; convenience • Space/venue

8 6 3

Open-End Responses Mirror Quantitative Results (Q3)

“My family´s on-going membership and my familiarity and comfort with Westside were clearly the most important factors.”

“this is an open, warm, accepting church not only towards individuals and families, but towards their existing views or as they develop or change their views on their spiritual journey. In my view, this is not a church that tells you what to think, its a church that provides the education and tools to provoke thought and contemplation about God, why we are all here, and an individuals path / journey.”

“The fact that the music (more specifically, the choral) program was -- is -- arguably West Side's crown jewel led my mother to join West Side and have me participate in the choral program.”

• West Side’s core strengths center on traditional faith community offerings and continue to be major factors in attracting new members – The core of the Sunday morning program should be maintained –

preaching, music, traditional worship experience, Sunday school • West Side appears to be already regarded as warm and inviting

– Keep doing what we’re doing; it is having an impact – The question is, what more can we do to ensure West Side feels like a

church home? • Contemporary service is not a significant driver of new membership

– What can we do to maximize alternative worship as another path to joining West Side as a community of faith?

Conclusions

WHY HAVE YOU STAYED WITH WEST SIDE?

Q4: Importance of Reasons Why West Side Continues To Be Church Home: Total respondents

0 20 40 60 80 100

Mission opportunities

Loyalty; wanted to stick by the church because of the fire and other issues we’ve faced

Have invested a lot of my time, talent andfinancial resources in the church

Children and youth programs

Have become very involved in activities withinWest Side

Have fond memories of the church and what ithas meant to me

The opportunity for continued spiritualdevelopment

Feel like a welcomed and connected member ofthe community

Inspiring worship experience

Very Important Extemely Important

Consistent with factors that drew people to

join WS

Spiritual development emerges as important

Church involvement, memories and loyalty

are also important

Mission low but may reflect less emphasis post fire so it is not a

factor in current reasons for staying engaged with WS

High Degree of Consistency on Top Factors That Are Important Reasons for Staying with WS

Ranking in order of importance

TOTAL HAVE CHILDREN

SERVICE ATTENDED: T2Box # Yrs with WS By Age

Top 3 Comparison TRAD CHAPEL 5:15 0-4 5 - 14` 15-24 25+ 20-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+

Inspiring worship experience 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1

Feel like a welcomed and connected member of the community

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2

The opportunity for continued spiritual development

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 6 4 4 3 3 3

Differences Have fond memories of the church and what it has meant to me

3

Children and youth programs 3 3

Understandable given tenure with

church

Many in this group are grown

WS youth

Reflects importance to

parents

Summary of Open-End Responses; n=101 # of Responses

Connection/Community: Net • Have made friends • Feels like a home • Welcomes/good to seniors • Men’s and Women’s Ministries

22 17 6 3 3

Because of Personal Involvement with WS • With WS activities – general • Opportunities for spiritual growth • Opportunities to serve/mission • Work with youth/children • Small groups • Cultural activities

18 9 5 4 2 2 2

Alterative worship opportunities • Contemporary/Foundation • Chapel • Having a variety/choice

15 11 2 2

Positive outlook • New direction/changes made • New leadership • More open/welcoming than before • Better run financially • Showed perseverance through fire

13 7 3 2 2 2

Other • Music/choir/music program • Preaching/worship • Good for my children • Pastors

11 10 7 5

Connection and Personal Involvement with West Side Are Leading Reasons for Continued Involvement in the Open-Ends (Q5)

The net impression of most comments is that West Side feels

like an extended family that provides acceptance and support

Many of these comments overlap with expression of “belonging” indicating that involvement in activities of

personal interest is linked to feeling like West Side is an

extended family

Comfortable informality and feeling welcome/connected dominate comments about

Foundation. Those who attend any alternative service prefer less focus on traditional music

Vast majority of comments were positive and reflect an overall

feeling of hopefulness

• The same factors that attract people to West Side are important to sustain membership – Preaching, worship, feeling welcomed

• Feeling welcome and connected is appears linked to positive experiences with getting involved in West Side – Building community may be helped by guiding people to what will be

most rewarding for them personally • Opportunities to grow spiritually emerge as important to the

majority of those surveyed – And, that need appears to be satisfied for most given that it is ranked

as #3 reason why they still attend – However, we need to better understand what “spiritual development”

actually means

Conclusions

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU PERSONALLY?

7%

10%

14%

15%

19%

19%

20%

24%

32%

42%

49%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

None of these

Spending time in community prayer

Serving as an Elder or Deacon

Youth programs/activities

Music/choir

Participating in international mission

Joining a church committee/team

Joining a small spiritual group

Attending fellowship events – special …

Participating in local mission

Attending worship

Worship, Mission and Fellowship Are Activities Where West Siders Would Like to Get More Involved (Q11)

% who say they would like to get more involved with the following:

Local mission stands out relative to international

Interest in spiritual activities appears low

However, none chosen by 50% or more

41

43

52

56

59

61

68

71

72

79

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Learn how to pray

Take care of my physical health and wellbeing

Deepen my commitment to spiritual disciplines

Understand the Bible

Nurture my family life

Serve others through mission work

Connect with other West Siders

Deal with life's struggles and pain

Serve others in my community

Nurture my faith and spiritual life

Asking What West Side Can Do For You Elicits More Robust Response (Q16)

Spiritual development emerges as a top

priority

% Who state the following are Important and Meaningful Ways the church could help you personally: total Respondents

“serve others in my community” ranked higher than “serve others in mission”

Seek community and help with life issues

Interest in Bible and spiritual disciplines are quite high but

below “nurture faith/spiritual life”

• The majority aspire for continued spiritual development – About half of West Siders want to attend worship more often, better

understand the Bible and practice spiritual disciplines – However, interest in small group activities designed to nurture

spiritual development is relatively low

• The value of a warm, inviting church is linked to helping each other manage life day-to-day – Providing community and friendship – Nurturing family life – Help with life struggles and pain

• “Mission” is likely better expressed as “service” – With focus on local, in community

Conclusions

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE WEST SIDE’S FUTURE?

There Is Less Enthusiasm For Suggestions on What Is Important For the Future of WS (Q14a)

31

35

35

51

55

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Reconciling faith and biblical teaching withbeing a good steward of the earth

Opportunities to deepen and grow spiritually

Add more opportunities for local "hands on"mission opportunities

Stronger connectivity between preaching andcurrent events and issues

Guidance on living as a Christian day to day 3 of the top 5 reflect a desire to

connect faith with life issues

Mission and Spiritual growth are in the top 5

but absolute interest levels are

low

% who state the following are important for WS to grow as a vibrant community of faith

Despite the Importance of a “Warm & Welcoming” Feeling, Membership & Hospitality Ideas Are Felt To Be Less Important

6

25

29

31

23

24

28

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Provide a more formal home visiting program tomeet prospective members

Provide a more organized approach to encouragingmembers to volunteer for activities

Establish an outreach program to attract youngsingles and marrieds

Stronger focus on helping new members integrateinto our church

Monthly meal-based social gatherings

An enhanced coffee hour to help facilitate moresocial interaction

Stronger hospitality presence at worship to meetand welcome new people

Hosp

italit

y Id

eas

Mem

bers

hip

Idea

s

% who state the following are important for WS to grow as a vibrant community of faith

Even Less Enthusiasm For Initiatives That Require Investment (Q14b)

9

11

12

14

18

18

21

22

24

27

41

44

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Establish a retreat center

Transportation to children and youth programs at church

Build an outdoor labyrinth

Include a gym as part of a community center project

Establish a community garden

Build a West Side community center that would act as ahub for church activities for the congregation and…

Expand healthcare ministry to include more “wellness” and day-to-day health programs

Programs to support family life - after school care; all-daynursery school

Renovate the barn

Convert library to a café/meeting place

Programs to help care for elderly, sick or disabledmembers

Programs to address specific life challenges - likeparenting challenges, marital issues, grief The top 2 connect with

the desire for a welcoming church

home that helps with issues of daily life

Renovating existing assets ranked next in

importance, but interest is not broad-

based

% who state the following are important for WS to grow as a vibrant community of faith

• Factors that most believe are important to ensure a vibrant, growing future for West Side are focused on helping us live life more fully day to day – Living as a Christian day to day – Connectivity in preaching with current events and issues – Help with daily life struggles and pain

• We may still be struggling with an “inward” focus – Response to 10x10 highlights the desire to do more in mission/service – However, most do not view hospitality and integration of new

members as a top priority for the future

• There is little heart for capital investment at this time – Understandably so ……….

Conclusions

IN SUMMARY…

• Continue to support our key strengths – Inspiring worship and preaching, excellence in music, warm and inviting

feeling, children and youth nurture • Enhance the “3 in 1” experience of being part of West Side

– Spiritual Development: How can we expand opportunities to grow spiritually in a way that appeals to more of our congregation?

– Supportive church family: Is there more to do to create a caring West Side culture that appeals to a wider range of people?

– Service to others: How can continue momentum for mission ignited by 10x10 and expand our ability to better serve those in our local community?

• Consider how to optimize Foundation – Is there a way to leverage our core strengths with Foundation? – Feeling connected to a church home, spiritual development, inspired

preaching and music (albeit a different kind) are also important to those who attend Foundation

• Consider how we can better connect with young families as they move into the area – Seek a supportive church home that meets their evolving needs

Opportunities Moving Forward