St James’ CHURCH survey

STATEMENT SCORES Each “tick statement” is given a score depending on how people responded: 100 = everyone agreeing strongly with the statement 50 = equivalent of everyone agreeing with the statement (not strongly) 0 = agreement and disagreement exactly balanced -50 = equivalent of everyone disagreeing with the statement (not strongly) -100 = everyone disagreeing strongly with the statement

STRONG AGREEMENT overall (over 50.0) St James' Church building is kept to a good standard. [66.9] St James' Sunday School helps children learn about the Christian faith in a fun and relevant way. [60.9] I enjoy being part of St James' Church [59.8]

AGREEMENT overall (25.0 – 49.9) It is easy and straightforward to find all essential information about St James' Church. [46.8] The sermons / homilies at St James' Church are relevant and thought-provoking [46.2] During the week, St James' Church provides a good range of clubs and activities for primary school children (5-11). [39.8] The worship at St James' Church is attractive and high quality. [39.4] St James' Church provides good opportunities for adults to grow and develop in their Christian faith. [39.1]

AGREEMENT overall (25.0 – 49.9) St James' Church offers a good provision for families with young children. [37.7] St James' Church provides a good level of care and support for individuals who need it. [33.3] Newcomers to St James' Church are made to feel welcome and included. [28.5] Families with children are made to feel welcome and included at St James' Church. [28.1] St James' Church is good at fundraising for church causes. [26.2] The choice and range of hymns and worship songs at St James' Church are appropriate. [25.8]

WEAK AGREEMENT overall (0.0 – 24.9) St James' Church cares well for elderly and vulnerable residents of the parish of Thornham. [21.5] I would be willing to volunteer (or more than I currently do) within the life of St James' Church. [20.2] There is a strong sense of community within St James' Church. [19.7] St James' Church engages well with the local community of Thornham. [17.7] St James' Church is good at fundraising for charities. [12.5]

WEAK AGREEMENT overall (0.0 – 24.9) Children are able to participate in the worship at St James' Church, when they are present. [11.5] Others have encouraged me to volunteer within the life of St James' Church. [4.2] St James' Church provides a good range of social events for adults. [1.5] During worship services at St James' Church, members of the congregation behave appropriately [1.5]

DISAGREEMENT overall (LESS THAN 0.0) During the week, St James' Church provides a good range of clubs and activities for secondary school children and young people (11-18). [-6.2]

BIGGEST DIFFERENCES There were marked differences in how different groups responded. In particular between what I am calling: established attendees (those who have attended St James’ Church for more than 10 years) new young families (those who have started attending St James’ Church within the last 10 years and have children aged under 11) The following statements show the most marked differences:

BIGGEST DIFFERENCES #5 “The choice and range of hymns and worship songs at St James' Church are appropriate” Established attendees: 44.4 New young families: 18.8 Difference: 25.7

BIGGEST DIFFERENCES #4 “Families with children are made to feel welcome and included at St James' Church.” Established attendees: 38.5 New young families: 12.5 Difference: 26.0

BIGGEST DIFFERENCES #3 “St James' Church provides a good range of social events for adults.” Established attendees: -7.4 New young families: 29.2 Difference: 36.6

BIGGEST DIFFERENCES #2 “Newcomers to St James' Church are made to feel welcome and included.” Established attendees: 51.9 New young families: 10.4 Difference: 41.5

BIGGEST DIFFERENCES #1 “During worship services at St James' Church, members of the congregation behave appropriately.” Established attendees: -13.0 New young families: 29.2 Difference: 42.1

COMMENTS The comments in each section have been categorised. Numbers in brackets indicate number of comments. (66 people completed surveys in all). There are also a couple of “word cloud” graphics (The size of each word is based on how often it came up in the comments).

ONE THING YOU VALUE MOST (52) Friendship / community (27) Worship (17) Exploring / expressing faith (4) Children’s activities (4) (continued…)

ONE THING YOU VALUE MOST (52) The church building (2) Specific people (2) The fact the church is there (2)

ONE THING YOU VALUE MOST (52)

IF you could change one thing… (49) Being more welcoming to families (8) Disruption in worship (8) Choice of hymns (6) Start time of the service (6) Formality of worship (3) (continued…)

IF you could change one thing… (49) Involving children in worship (2) Other aspects of worship (2) Being open to change (2) Events for youth aged 11+ (2) More volunteers (2)

IF you could change one thing… (49)

WORSHIP (37) Disruptive behaviour (14) Preaching (13) 4 positive, 4 negative, 5 in between! Difficulties for children and families (12) Choice of hymns (11 – all critical) Choir / music (2 – both good!) Start time (2)

WELCOME & COMMUNITY (21) Unwelcoming for families (9) General welcome in church (7) 3 positive, 3 negative, 1 mixed Care / support for parishioners (5) 3 mixed, 2 negative Sense of community (4) 1 positive, 1 negative, 2 mixed

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS (15) Lack of social or community activities (8) Faith activities (3) 2 of which about poor uptake, not provision

CHILDREN & FAMILIES (21) Sunday School (6) All good, except one whose older child was missing it! General comments about children (5) all positive! Lack of weekday provision for children (4) Worship not child-centred (3)

FUNDRAISING & VOLUNTEERS (16) Volunteering (8) 6 negative, 2 mixed Fundraising (7) 1 positive, 2 negative, 4 mixed

PRACTICAL ISSUES (14) Information (8) 4 positive, 3 negative, 1 mixed Maintenance of church & grounds (4) 1 positive, 3 relating to lack of volunteers & vandalism