Church of Our Redeemer              serving the Central Savannah River Area in South Carolina and Georgia
2011 Congregation Survey Executive Summary

This executive summary of the 2011 Congregation Survey highlights the strongest responses for the question areas. Unless otherwise stated, the results are based on 66 responses.  You may download a copy at the end of this page.

Profile of Respondents:

  • 1. Length of time affiliated with MCCOR was divided nearly equally among 1-5 years (26%), 6-10 (30%), 11-20 (27%).
  • 2. 88% of respondents were either a member or regular non-member.
  • 3. 62% identified as female and 35% identified as male.
  • 4. 50% have a professional occupation and 27% are retired.
  • 5. 62% indicated that their age was between 46 and 65.
  • 6. Annual household income was distributed nearly equally among all income ranges, with the lowest bracket having the fewest responses.
  • 7. 56% said that they participate in ministries or programs other than Sunday Worship
  • 8. 64% do not participate in outreach ministries although these activities were not specifically defined.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Our Congregation:
  • 9. Worship: 93% rated the worship service as somewhat or very strong and 88% rated the music ministry similarly. The weakest area was in Bible study and spiritual growth where 61% considered it somewhat weak or average. Similar results were found in question
  • 10. Similar results as found in #9.
  • 11. Congregational Care: Ministry to youth and singles were ranked the lowest at 52% and 47% respectively rating them very weak or somewhat weak. Giving care to our congregation was rated strongest with 53% rating it somewhat strong or very strong.
  • 12. Outreach: 86% rated caring for the poor between average and very strong, and 85% rated outreach to the community between average and very strong. The lowest ratings were for global mission support and denominational participation where 56% rated the both as somewhat weak or average.
  • 13. Fellowship: 44% considered Fellowship activities as somewhat strong or very strong, while 30 considered them average.
  • 14. Among the list of various topics, administration had the highest rating with 59% indicating that it was average or somewhat strong, and managing conflict had the lowest rating with 61% indicating that it was somewhat weak to average.
  • 15. The five highest priorities that should be focused on by the church (56 responses) were preaching (63%), music ministry, caregiving to the congregation, and outreach to the community tied for second (39%), and stewardship (34%).

Our Congregation:

  • 16. 79% agreed that it is somewhat true or true that members of our congregation care about one another. 68% agree that people with broken lives find a safe haven in our church. However 71% responded that it was somewhat false or neutral that our congregation gives generous financial support to the church.

Our Church Health Inventory:

  • 17. 89% agree that a strong message of grace, faith, hope and love is proclaimed each week, and 88% agree that the Good News is put into fine musical form on a regular basis.
  • 18. 86% feel accepted and warmly supported in the congregation, but 74% do not think that it is true that disagreements are handled appropriately.
  • 19. 80% say that we are constantly reminded that faith and action go hand in hand.

Desired Skills in the Next Pastor:

  • 20. 94% want to see good preaching and 89% rate both conducting worship and pastoral care as high priorities. Items rated as somewhat important or important include Community involvement, ministry to the sick, and setting vision and goals at 86%, Board cooperation at 85%, teaching at 82 % and counseling at 79%.
  • 21. Finally the congregation was in strong agreement that the pastor should be energetic and charismatic in worship and also ranked prefer that the pastor would help us develop strong programs for members and visitors and a strong outreach into the community. The congregation showed no preference for a male or female pastor.

47% of the respondents provided written comments. There are several recurring themes expressed among these responses:

  • We need to be more welcoming to newcomers and to address the perception of cliques, Have diversity in our worship service style, Strengthen our ministry teams and develop programming, in particular to address the needs and interests of youth and young adults, Pay more attention to social justice issues and community outreach, The need for the pastor to be a leader and the need for the congregation to be supportive of the new pastor.










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