This Sunday at Northbridge the findings from the previous’ weeks criteria survey were presented for review and discussion.
Joyce, Alicia, and Shane presented these findings as well as certain implications that arose from the surveys results.
Some of the basics about the survey were presented first including the following information:
- Responses came in either through the survey taken Sunday, June 14th at church or via email.
- Individuals were asked to respond to 9 criteria questions with multiple choice answers.
- Responses were received from 75% of current NB households.
- Responses were received from 70% of current NB individuals.
- Response points were given a value of 1, 0.5, or 0.3 depending on if respondents gave one or more responses for each questions.
Here were the results of the survey that were shared and the basic implications from each finding below:
1. What level of commitment do you have in Northbridge continuing as a faith community with:
A: an activistic, outreach oriented primary focus?
- High (46%), Medium (33%), or Low (21%)
B: a dialogue, support group primary focus?
- High (23%), Medium (35%), or Low (23%), No Preference (19%)
-Implication: being both a missional and support community is important to the majority of Northbridge individuals.
2. How far are you willing to drive to Northbridge?
- 10 minutes (0%), 20 minutes (64%), over 30 minutes (36%)
-Implication: driving distance is not as important of a factor as others.
3. How often are you willing to come to the main gathering (Sundays mornings right now) per month?
- Weekly (81%), Every Other Week (19%), Occasionally (0%)
-Implication: meeting weekly for the main gatherings is still preferred.
4. How often are you willing to come outside of Sunday morning gatherings (study group, outings, service activities, etc.)?
- Weekly (10%), Every Other Week (60%), Occasionally (27%), No Preference (3%)
-Implication: attending every other week or occasionally is preferred outside the main gatherings.
5. What times of the day and week would you be open to meeting for the main gathering (mark all that apply for you)?
- Saturday Evening (19%), Sunday Morning (57%), Sunday Evening (21%)
-Implication: meeting on Sunday mornings is still the preferred option for the main gathering.
6. What type of locations would you:
- oppose meeting in: No Preference (58%), Houses (42%)
- like to meet in: No Preference (46%), Church (21%), Community Center (25%), Houses (8%)
-Implication: meeting in house isn’t preferred by many people but meeting in a community center or a church is.
7. What percentage of time of the main gathering time (Sunday morning right now) would you like devoted to:
- teaching/education (receiving): 30% (50%), 60% (39%)
- spiritual practices/dialogue (participation): 30% (31%), 60% (62%)
-Implication: NB would like to become more participatory on Sunday mornings while still keeping some aspect of receiving in place.
8. What level of commitment do you have in addressing children’s spiritual development:
- High (69%), Medium (27%), or Low (4%)
-Implication: children’s spiritual development continues to be a primary concern for the individuals of Northbridge.
9. What level of leadership involvement are you willing to accept:
- Leader Led (90% leader directed, 10% community directed)-(11%)
- Leader Facilitated (50% leader directed, 50% community directed)-(70%)
- Communally Led (10 leader directed, 90% community directed)-(19%)
-Implication: a ‘half and half’ model of leadership in which staff and the community both take responsibility for the church is preferred.
Some final important implications that came out of the criteria survey’s results, combined with the community’s discussions from previous weeks and other situational factors led to these implications that were presented:
- House churches are no longer a preferred option for NB’s future.
- Meeting in the Shoreview Community Center is no longer a desirable option for NB’s future.
- Merging with another church is no longer a preferred option for NB’s future.
- Finding a church, community center, or similar organization that we could share space/partner with is the best option for NB’s next steps.
- Rent will increase back to it’s normal higher rate at the Shoreview Community Center in September which NB currently can’t afford financially.
- A two month notice is required by the Shoreview Community Center in advance of our moving out.
- We will need to begin looking for new locations/partner spaces immediately.
- We will also need to alert the Shoreview Community Center in early July of our intent to move out to meet their two month notice.
Time for questions, comments, and sharing was given at the end of the presentation with the staff sharing that the next stage of beginning to look for a space/partner that Northbridge could join with will now begin. Communal discussions will continue to take place as this process begins and individuals from the community are still invited here on out to share their ideas, questions, or comments in the coming weeks.
Shane