Reality Check The Asset-Building Strengths and Challenges of Diverse Congregations Gene Roehlkepartain Director, Congregation Initiatives Search Institute

Session Overview What’s Your Experience? Connecting Assets, Faith, and Congregations Overview of Field Test Findings Opportunities and Challenges Using the Survey in Your Congregation or Community

40 Developmental Assets EXTERNAL ASSETS Support Empowerment Boundaries and Expectations Constructive Use of Time INTERNAL ASSETS Commitment to Learning Positive Values Social Competencies Positive Identity

Asset-Building Capacity of Congregations (1) Provide constructive, asset-rich activities Shape identity, values, commitments Offer positive peer group Engage youth as contributors

Asset-Building Capacity of Congregations (2) Potential for sustained relationships Resource and partner for families Nurture intergenerational relationships Educate and influence many adults Community presence as resource and leader

Eight Marks of Faith Maturity Trusting & believing Experiencing the fruits of faith Integrating faith and life Seeking spiritual growth Holding life-affirming values Nurturing faith in community Acting and serving Advocating social change

Two Dimensions of Faith Vertical Integrated Relationship with God Relationships with Others Undeveloped Horizontal

Sources of Faith Maturity Involvement in effective religious education Family faith practices Parent education Warmth Thinking Care Worship Service

A Congregation-Wide Commitment Youth in the Community Intergenerational Faith Community Families Children, Youth Programs

Nurturing Faith AND Building Assets Relationships Environment/Climate Rituals and Practices Activities and Programs Policies and Priorities

Conceptual Model for Building Assets, Strengthening Faith The Congregation as System Context Individuals Age, Gender, Ethnicity, Education Congregational Involvement Level Families Composition Spiritual Practices Congregation Faith Tradition Location Size Age Character Community Urbanicity Cohesion Culture Socioeconomics Scope Potential Impact Individuals Faith Practices and Commitments Loyalty and Bonding Families Spiritual Practices Family Strengths Congregation Organizational Health/Vitality Mission Growth Patterns Community Social Capital Service and Justice Spirituality Community Policies and Priorities Congregation Relationships Families Children & Youth Environment and Climate Programs and Activities Rituals and Practices Inputs Faith & Spiritual Development Asset Building Key Settings Dynamics

New Survey for Congregations

The Spring 2003 Field Test 15 congregations Aggregate Sample: 1,557 Christian: Lutheran (7), Roman Catholic (3), United Methodist (2), and independent (1). Unitarian Universalist (1) Muslim (1) Aggregate Sample: 1,557 Age 10-17 486 18 to 39 247 40 to 59 485 60 and older 343 Most of the people surveyed are quite active in their congregation. Half are leaders or volunteers

Child and Youth Opportunities Very or extremely well

Family Opportunities Very or extremely well

Intergenerational Opportunities Very or extremely well

Community Opportunities Very or extremely well

Comparison Across Areas 3 = pretty well 2 = okay

Congregational Impact: Personal (1) Often or almost always true

Congregational Impact: Personal (2) Often or almost always true

Asset-Building Priorities for the Future One of three top priorities

Faith-Nurturing Priorities for the Future Helping Children and Youth . . . GENERAL VERTICAL HORIZONTAL One of three top priorities

Why Use the Survey? Stimulate interest in asset building As part of strategic planning In times of transition in the congregation In preparation for training Gain a portrait of asset-building capacity of congregations in community/network

Who to Survey? Designed for all youth and adults in the congregation Best: A census of everyone Large congregations: Random sample

What’s in the Survey? Perceptions of quality in . . . Child and youth opportunities Family opportunities Intergenerational opportunities Community engagement Priorities: Faith Maturity, Assets, Contexts Perceptions of Impact Personal Faith and Family Faith Practices Demographics Overall Sense of Young People’s Assets (category)

What Search Institute Provides An online guide for survey planning, administration, and interpretation Surveys Available online and on paper Reproduce as many as needed Complete report of survey findings COST—$295 per congregation

Also Available (Additional Cost) Training and consulting services Resource kit Aggregate reports for groups of congregations

Survey Process Decide to do it. Order from Search Institute Build team to plan and publicize Engage the congregation Conduct the survey Enter the data Interpret and apply the findings Guidelines, Ideas, and tools provided on Web