Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT)
The church council recently determined that they want to listen more closely to the church, especially in the midst of both the future visioning process and a pastoral transition. To accomplish this, we have partnered with Holy Cow! Consulting to utilize their Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT), an on-line instrument that will help leaders gauge the strength, vitality, and trends in our church. We are inviting all those who are “invested and able” to complete the CAT. The information gained from this assessment will be valuable in helping the leaders of St. John United as we make decisions about our future.
Beginning August 2nd, we are asking these individuals to go online and tell us about their experiences in and priorities for our church. All survey responses are strictly anonymous. We have no way of matching any assessment to a particular person, so we hope individuals will candidly share their perceptions, opinions and experiences. Our future together is dependent on each individual’s participation and honest answers.
We give thanks to all those who take the CAT and their willingness to be a part of helping to build St. John United’s future. If you have questions, please contact the church office, or another member of the Council or Future Visioning Survey Team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to complete the assessment? The assessment will be available to take through August 31st. Regular reminders will be sent out via email and announced in worship. Stay tuned for updates on our “return rate”, which we hope will be close to 100%!
Who should take the survey? All members, attenders and affiliates who have been active within the past year, who are able to physically and emotionally cope with the survey, and are 16 years of age or older. If you feel you fit into this definition, we encourage you to participate and make your voice heard.
When will we get to hear the results? After the assessment closes, a report is generated within a few days. However, our leadership (council, future visioning survey team and staff) will first need to schedule a multi-hour interpretation session with a consultant, to help them understand what the results mean. After this interpretation session, the council will share the report. This should be sometime in early fall.
What if I am not able to take the assessment online or don’t have email? If you are unable to complete the assessment online, please contact a member of the Future Visioning Survey team or the church office. We will provide you a paper copy of the assessment and then a member of the team will input the answers for you. Each team member is committed to keeping your answers confidential, even from other members of the team. This is the fastest option, but there are other options available if you would rather not have your answers imputed in this way. You may contact a member of the team to discuss this or other options.
How does this connect with the non-profit ministry exploration that SJU recently embarked on? This survey is intended to assess the church and does not have questions specifically geared towards the non-profit ministry. However, the non-profit exploration is still a ministry of the church and, as such, they remain dependent on each other. The results of the assessment will help the church make decisions about its future, including its relationship with the non-profit ministry.
What if members of our household use the same email address? If there is only one email address for all members of your household, it may be tempting to have one person take the survey on behalf of the family. However, please be sure your spouse and all young adults living in your home have an opportunity to complete the survey. INDIVIDUAL INPUT is key to our gaining insight into overall perceptions and experiences.
