Congregational Renewal

In any five-year period, every United Church congregation is encouraged to do an assessment of key areas of congregational ministry. When some form of congregational ministry assessment or visioning process is conducted from time to time, it should streamline the work required during changes in ministry leadership or before presbytery/district declares a vacancy.

While congregations will not want to address all of the key areas for review at the same time, it is important to consider all of them at some time. This might happen during regular assessments organized by the congregation or when presbytery/district conducts its regular pastoral oversight visit.

Vision

1. What new reality does our congregation envision?
2. What compelling vision excites us and inspires new projects?
3. What metaphors or biblical stories reflect our congregation’s vision?
4. What material and human assets can be used toward realizing our vision?

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Purpose

1. Why do we do what we do?
2. What are some significant and key events from our congregation’s past?
3. What is the reason our congregation exists?
4. What higher good does our congregation seek to accomplish?
5. What challenges might hinder our congregation’s purpose?
6. When was the last presbytery/district pastoral oversight visit?
7. Who in the world are we called to serve?
8. What are our core values?
9. What are our key narratives or stories?

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Spiritual Nurture

1. Does our congregation spend as much time on spiritual nurture as in meetings?
2. Do we offer diverse ways for people to enrich their spiritual life?
3. Is spiritual nurture and growth central to our congregation’s life?
4. How does our minister encourage spiritual growth?
5. Are there opportunities for people to increase skills in spiritual leadership?
6. Does our worship engage more than one of the five senses?
7. Is our worship interactive, and are emotions freely expressed?

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Community Service

1. What groups or constituencies does our congregation serve?
2. According to non-church members, what is our church’s value to the neighbourhood?
3. In what ways does our congregation listen to people on the margins?
4. What are the demographics of our church’s neighbourhood?
5. What services are offered in our neighbourhood through other organizations?
6. Has our congregation ever been transformed or found itself changed while responding to the needs of others?
7. In what ways does our minister encourage us to serve others?
8. In what ways does our congregation minister to others in the community?
9. What percentage of our minister’s time is spent in pastoral care?

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Staffing

1. If we have paid staff, do they meet regularly?
2. How does our minister support and coordinate the work of paid staff?
3. How often does our minister meet with the Ministry and Personnel Committee?
4. How does our minister exercise leadership?
5. Does the annual review create opportunities for setting ministry goals?
6. Are there unresolved conflicts among staff?
7. Do all staff enjoy opportunities for professional development?
8. If staff seem unhappy or ineffective, what remedies are being enacted?
9. Do staff receive regular increases in salary?
10. Are staff working conditions regularly considered and reviewed?

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Governance

1. Does our structure support our vision and purpose?
2. How many active, functioning committees does our congregation have?
3. Do we have too many committees?
4. Have any new board members been elected within the past three years?
5. Is burnout of committee or board members a growing concern?
6. Does our board regulate most church activities?
7. How are decisions made?
8. What decisions are normally made by the board?
9. How are leaders identified and equipped?
10. How does our minister guide and support the board?

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Church Buildings

1. Do our buildings support our vision and purpose?
2. How accessible are our facilities? What improvements are planned?
3. What improvements have we made to the buildings in the last three years?
4. Has old, shabby furniture been removed from meeting rooms?
5. Have rooms been painted within the last five years?
6. What approaches toward reducing energy use have we initiated?
7. Is the building’s exterior well-maintained?
8. What building beautification projects have been completed in the past two years?
9. Do we have a policy document concerning rentals/shared space?
10. Is the signage well-placed and easy to read?
11. Are the administrative offices well-designed and properly equipped?
12. Do we have a budget for capital projects and for newer technologies?
13. What improvements are needed in the worship area and meeting rooms?

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Money

1. How does money support our vision and purpose?
2. Does our congregation use a narrative budget?
3. How well does our budget reflect our purpose and core values?
4. Is money connected with our spiritual life and our relationship with God?
5. Are people regularly encouraged to increase their givings?
6. How much does a lack of money hinder new initiatives?
7. When was the last time we conducted a capital campaign, and for what?