Workshop #2: Understanding your DATA March 26, 2012

Follow-up Questions from the Workshop #1 Webinar (3/19)? Please enter questions in chat room.

Introduction & Prayer Led by the Rev. Jay Sidebotham – Rector, Church of the Holy Spirit The Rev. Scott Gunn – Executive Director, Forward Movement The Rev. Clarence Langdon – Bishop’s staff, Episcopal Diocese of Chicago Terry Schweizer – Research Director, REVEAL

Today’s Purpose Recap the Webinar #1 Review the Facilitator Guide in-depth – Focus on the Exercises Discuss the homework (pre-reading) Provide suggestions to optimize outcomes

“Please be patient, God is not finished with me yet.” 5

Developed by & for Episcopalians 6

General Construct Four sessions: – 1. Spiritual Formation: Understanding FOLLOW ME – 2. Data Sharing: Parish Profiles & Survey Findings – 3. Applying Best Practice Principles to your Church – 4. The Plan and Guiding Metrics Each session starts with Scripture & Discussion Homework, all have pre-reading Today

Workshop #2

Workshop #2: Purpose & Outcomes Confirming the survey is an accurate representation of your congregation Identifying who you are spiritually as a church Capturing the key learnings and insights Developing priorities to guide possible actions

Pre-Reading

Pre-Reading (part 2) The Devotional The devotional—five distinct readings from Nehemiah—will require pre-reading and reflection prior to the workshop. Is important to establish the biblical context for the process: – Gathered facts – Wept and mourned – Prayed – Prepared for the plan and met the King – Gathered a team and commenced

Is being modified to improve fit with exercises and times required. All workshops changes and refinements will by available by 3/29/2013 Thanks again for feedback and builds!

Workshop Challenges The forest versus the trees – Very easy to get ‘too deep’ in the data Separate facts, conclusions and implications – Focus on facts and emerging conclusions in this session The SVI score can be polarizing – Many Episcopal churches fare poorly Can be a wake-up call! – Will be an individual church choice to present (NEW) The analytic literacy of your workshop participants – Varies significantly. Will need to manage. Pre-reading is critical. Lots to digest.

Exercise #1: Parish Profiles Key

Exercise 1: Parish Profiles Start early. Takes time. – Church records often missing data. Don’t worry. Trends are key. – Often flat or declining. Do project 5-10 years out. – Is most enlightening. And often frightening. Check out the sample Vestry report. –

Report and Data Deliverables Full Report (60 pages) Includes Appendix (100+ pages) SVI Overall Summary, recommended direction Workshop tailored (30 Pages) No SVI No overall Summary No recommended direction

Workshop #2

Interpreting the Colors

Exercise 2: --Spiritual Continuum --Spiritual Vitality Index --Components: Personal Spiritual Practices Church’s Role Faith in Action

Spiritual Continuum Sample Profile

© 2012 Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. All Rights Reserved. Spiritual Vitality Index (SVI) Personal Spiritual Practices Church’s Role Faith in Action Study Bible Reflect Solitude Pray Bible teaching Relationship building Small groups Education Serving in Church Serve those in need Conversation and evangelism. SVI Score

Spiritual Vitality Index 22 blanks

SVI: Share or not share? --Discuss pros and cons

Spiritual Vitality Components

Spiritual Vitality Exercise Break into three groups. – Each take one of the areas. Review in the absolute and versus others. – Look at the range and where most are concentrated Make sure you get to the conclusions. – What do the facts suggest? When reporting separate facts and conclusions. – Is this where you want to be?

Best Practice Principles

Best Practice Principles: Building Healthy Churches –Top 5% SVI Churches –In-depth Interviews –Customized based on Episcopal Pilot Churches 27

Key Takeaways Is an accurate ‘snapshot’ Clearly separate facts, conclusions, and emerging implications Is the foundation. Rest of the workshops are about ‘Growing’, going forward Key is to be grounded in the data.

Questions? 29

Workshop #3 Homework Episcopal Beliefs & Practices – Our very own. Critical to deeply study. Episcopal Examples: Best Practice Principles – From the Episcopal Pilot Churches Review Workshop #2 Key Findings & Conclusions – Circulated before the next workshop Any additional questions for next session

Concluding Remarks & Prayer Led by the Rev. Jay Sidebotham

Next Steps & Thanks! Next session: April 2 nd at 2pm CDT Focus will be Workshop #3 Homework assignment: – Read Facilitators Guide, pages – Review the Episcopal Beliefs & Practices – Review Episcopal Examples: Best Practice Principles

Appendix

Workshop Team Composition Modeled after a Search Committee Lay led—a must Clergy, Rector in particular, must not guide – Nor back seat driving Need a separate time-keeper Plus a separate scribe – That gets notes and follow-up done

Helpful Hints Encourage a bit of hospitality minutes before each workshop starts – A number will not know each other Start and end each sub-section promptly, even if not completely finished Post the key elements of each session to demonstrate progress and be a reference Keep a ‘parking lot’ flip chart for unanswered questions, suggestions, follow-up

More Lessons Learned Make sure ALL the voices are heard – Set as an expectation, then prompt Make differences a value – Will be different viewpoints, especially on ‘growth’ Do fewer things, well – Will try to do too much Close with a reassuring and encouraging prayer