Thoughts on the survey results

[bnf...@comcast.net]

In reflecting on the survey results shared Tuesday at the council
meeting, I feel that the church has been given a clear message by God
through the rankings of the missional markers. We dare not miss this.

The 16th ranked missional marker, Coming to Christ, should make us
embarrassed that it is at the bottom. And not just at the bottom, but
several points below the 15th marker. That, to me, is very telling and
we must focus on that. By doing so, I believe that the other concerns
will be addressed.

Those who completed the survey are telling us that they are not
getting what they need: an encounter with God every week. Though the
marker is labeled Coming To Christ, I believe that it is more than
having altar calls and testimonies, though both of those are very
important and we need to have those when appropriate.

The church needs to give those who come to worship something they
cannot get elsewhere in their lives: that is certainly a regular,
challenging encounter with the God of the Universe. Many of the other
markers are typical of issues confronting congregants in their
professional and personal lives, so we need to focus on what no other
institution can give them and what the survey is telling us is most
missing from what we do.

Since many of our body only attend on Sunday morning and do not
volunteer in other aspects of the church life, we need to meet them
where they are: during Sunday service. Every aspect of the service
should be an encounter with God.

We do this well with our singing. But where is the prayer during the
service, with those in attendance voicing praises and concerns? Where
in the service do we encourage personal, reflective, meaningful
interaction with the God of the Universe?

Pastor Bill’s sermons have focused us on the need to look closely at
who we are and where we want to be. This has been exactly what we
needed to hear and Bill has done a wonderful job with this. I would
encourage Bill now to move to scripture teaching during the service as
he has done so well in the past. And we need to direct everyone to
have regular interaction with the Bible in weekly small group studies;
this can’t be left to chance.

These are the things that, to me, the survey results are telling us to
do.

Will this type of focus help us work on improving the other missional
markers? I think so. Once those who attend Sunday morning find
meaningful and personal interaction with God, they will begin to
redefine their focus and become involved, but if they are not being
given what they can’t get elsewhere, there is no need to become active
participants in the body.

We asked for the congregation’s input. We say we are open to God’s
leading. It can’t be more clear that we need to change our focus so
that every Sunday morning is a step in Coming to Christ.