FIRST UU CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY JULY 2016 SUMMARY OF COMMENTS

Transcription

1 FIRST UU CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY JULY 2016 SUMMARY OF COMMENTS 1) Indicate important concerns. Additional concerns noted in comments: --Involvement in the larger community (5) --Pastoral care/grief support (1) --Diversity of membership (1) --Paved parking area (1) --Living within budget (1) 2) Main thing you would like to see achieved in 3-5 years --Intentional growth/increased membership (31) --Financial stability (18) --Greater community visibility/local social justice engagement (16) --Full time or long term minister (10) --characteristics desired included integrity, inspirational, openness to change, collaborative, academically inclined, --Strong sense of community (8) --More young families (5) --Attention to needs of community (4) --Living our principles (3) --More involvement in UUA/OMD (2) --Cooperative leadership (2) --More diversity among members (2) Single comments (1) --Functioning youth group --Change sanctuary --More diverse worship --Offer a regular free community lunch --Active children s RE, including OWL, COA --No need for a minister 5) Sunday worship objectives Additional objectives noted in comments: --Reinforce UU principles, support for individuals, encourage community outreach, address critical social issues, non-christian worship style 6) Important parts of worship service: Additional parts noted in comments: --Joys and concerns shared in FYI or by Caring Committee (5) --Eliminate, include less often, or English only: Spirit of Life (5) --Variety of music/more contemporary/fewer traditional hymns (2) Single Comments (1) --Shorter sermons --Time for greeting other members --Less rigid format --Extinguish chalice

2 --Members sharing stories --Projected Power Point announcements --More hand bell music --Interactive services --Special services: Flower communion, water service, animal blessings, Day of the Dead 7) Sermon topics Additional topics noted in comments: --UU history (2) --UU principles and purposes (2) --Hope/optimism (1) --Occasional fun sermon (1) 9) Most important ministerial qualities Additional qualities noted in comments: --Excellent leadership in worship (3) --Congregational involvement (2) --Use our own talent/no minister (1) 10) Freedom of the pulpit --16 comments primarily focused on not expressing political views from the pulpit; respect for varying political thoughts, views in alignment with UU principles, and maintenance of church-state separation. 11) UUA Fellowship --13 comments reflected a lack of understanding of the meaning of this term and a willingness to consider candidates whose values align with UU values. 12) Active involvement in UUA, General (national) Assembly, District Assembly --a total of 6 comments reflected a) a larger concern about local community involvement and b) a need for an explanation of the meaning of actively involved in district and national organizations. 13) Feelings about various characteristics of a minister: comments expressed a) a need for open-mindedness (3), a preference for a Toledo resident, an interest in a minister with diverse life experience and interests, and a preference for a fully lay-lead congregation. 17) Personal theology: --Buddhist (6) --3 other comments referred to mysticism, learning from multiple traditions, and God as Spirit. 22) Current congregational strengths to be maintained or developed: --Willingness to accept responsibility during an extended transitional period (20) Comments included core group of very involved members and volunteers are stretched thin. --Sense of community/caring community (18)

3 --Energy, spirit, cooperation, collaboration of members (15) --Commitment to social justice (13) --Members with many talents, skills, and creativity (12) --Resilience; openness to change; overcoming difficulties despite discomfort (7) --Music program (6) Comment: more diverse music ministry needed --Diversity of personalities (5) --RE: Children s and adult (5) --Welcoming attitudes (4) --Living our principles (4) --Engaged in the larger community (3) --Strong leadership (2) --Volunteer opportunities (2) --Intellectual growth (2) --Shared lay ministry --Progressive Board --Liberal thought --Use of technology --Spiritual growth --Rev. Tim s involvement --U-FACE --Leadership development --Coffee hour 23) Desired qualities or achievements of a minister: --Inspiring sermons, well-spoken (25) Comments: short sermons and timely sermons (current issues) --Friendly, enthusiastic, warm, outgoing, good sense of humor (23) --Leadership and work in the larger Toledo community, including social justice work (20) --Caring, loving, compassionate toward congregation and individuals (19) --Collaboration, sharing of ideas, encouragement of unity, engagement, empowerment (12) --Skill in planning powerful positive Sunday services: inspiring, innovative, inclusive of many spiritual traditions, with diverse music and artistic experiences, some ritual (9) --Intellectual, well-read (8) --Challenges our thinking --Not self-serving or defensive, admits vulnerability, no above congregation (7) --Vision for the future (4) --A model of UU principles, encouragement of social action/advocacy (4) --Respectability, personal integrity (4) --Embracing challenge (3) --Able to increase membership through vision, personality, activism (3) --Pastoral care (3) --Encourage acceptance of diversity (2) --Able to attract younger members and involve youth (2) --Spiritual (2)

4 --Energizing --No need for a minister 24) Worst mistake a minister could make: --Inaccessible, distant, not engaged in the church and larger community, ignoring member contributions (17) --Rigid, dictatorial micro-management (14) --Failure to collaborate or listen to members (11) --Negativity, criticism, alienation of members, taking sides in conflict, playing favorites (8) --Too much pressure for change; excessive expectations of congregation (6) --Self-importance (4) --Unethical/untrustworthy (4) --Misunderstanding of role/expectations (3) --Inability to connect with, relate to, know, or understand members (3) --Boring (2) --Keeping the status quo, underestimating members talents/passions, reluctance to change (2) --Lack of ideas/vision; unable to inspire (2) --Lack of compassion --Overcommitment/personal burnout --Not supportive of social justice --Having a private (not UU) agenda --Avoidance of conflict --Inexperience --Excessive concern with church problems, work, committees, programs --Not understanding the importance of coffee! --Voting for [bleeped] 25) Special issues for consideration by the Ministerial Search Committee: --Engagement in church community and activity in larger community is crucial (9) --Require residence in Toledo (5) --Share our financial limitations with candidates (3) --Look for openness, friendliness, and empathy (3) --Good ministers can t do everything and will be trained by their congregations (2) --don t overlook possibility of young/inexperienced or older/ career change ministers (2) --Shared ministry and empowerment of congregation is very important (2) --Preference for Rev. Tim (2) --Look for a social justice and sustainability focus (2) --We need a minister who can attract young people and families (2) --We need a minister who will engage with youth, involve them in worship, and include their preferred music (2) --Good sermons and communication skills are most important (2) --Pastoral care is important --A marketing or business background would be an asset (2) --Require a 4-5 years commitment --Beware of unrealistic goals

5 --Would like a minister with cross-cultural, bi-lingual, and/or multi-faith or ecumenical alliances --Share with candidates how we have matured through hardship --Special needs experience helpful --Avoid ministers with a personal agenda --Look for a young minister (under 50) --Prefer a feminist minister --Require a background check --Good luck our financial package is inadequate