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WM
SURVEYS
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by Robyne Beaubien
Different
Women...Different Needs
There are many different ways to determine
the needs of the women in your body. No matter how large or small
your church is one of the best ways is to create a survey. Do not
expect to have a large return on these. If you have a small church,
under 100, you will probably get a better response than in a larger
church. You may also be one of the very rare cases where the survey
just does not work. There is no specific reason why but every once
in a while I have heard of a church who felt that the survey was
not successful.
One of the focuses of a survey should
be to establish how to contact the women in your church and find
out general information about their lifestyle and the place in
life they are at.
It is also good to ask questions about
specific ministries that had been on the hearts of your leaders
or that you are considering doing.
Finally, you will want to know what
the needs of your women are, both personally and in ministry.
The best way to get surveys turned back
in is to have them filled out at a specific activity or to offer
a doorprize.
Personally, I have found that a survey
is an effective tool for finding women who would serve in various
ministry areas and gathering general information about the age,
marital status, and availability of the women but it will not always
pinpoint one specific area of ministry.
The only way to identify the needs of
the women in your church body is to KNOW the women in your church.
One on one conversations is the first place to begin.
Your ministry leaders can also facilitate
discussion groups of focus areas. What I mean by that is there
are different women groups in your church. Mothers of small children,
single moms, single working women, working moms, empty nesters,
etc... Consider meeting with women from each of these groups to
talk with them about their needs and what ministries, not necessarily
programs, will meet their needs. Find out who they are, what motivates
them, where they are struggling, where they have strength, how
they define church, womanhood and ministry. You will only want
to have 5-6 from each of these groups and meet with them each separately.
Do not meet with mothers of young children and empty nesters at
the same meeting. Prayerfully consider who to ask. The Lord will
bring names to your mind. Let them know the purpose of the discussion
and ask them well in advance of the meeting to give them time to
think about what they would like to share. This is a process that
will take time. Spread it out over several months and pray, pray,
pray!
Oh... don't forget to keep notes of
what was discussed! You will not be able to remember it all. You
will probably want to do these focus groups again in the future
for re-evaluation and it will be helpful to be able to refer back
to this information.
Following are some survey samples:
SAMPLE 1
Women’s Ministry Survey [Page 1]
Name______________________________________________
Are you in the church directory? ___Yes ___No
...if not please fill in your address and phone number below...
Address_____________________City_________________ AK ________[zip]
Personal Information:
Age: 18-24__ 25-34__ 35-44__ 45-54__ 55-65__ 65+__
Marital Status: __Single __Married __Divorced/Widowed
Number of Children [by age]:__Newborn -4yrs. __5-10yrs. __11-18yrs __Adult
Do you work outside your home? __no __part-time __full-time
How long have you known Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour? __________
We are currently working on setting
up ministries that will meet the needs of the women in our body
and your input is needed. Please fill this out and deposit it in
the box in the lobby.
Thank You!
Bible Study
I currently attend a Ladies Study: __Wednesday night
__Weigh Down
__Precept Class
I would like to attend a Bible Study and would prefer:
__Mon __Tues __Wed __Thurs __Fri __Sat
__morning __afternoon __evening
I would really like a study on the subject of __________________________
Ministry Needs...
I see a need for ministry in the area of______________________
_________________________________________________
My spiritual gift is_________________________________
Special Interests and Activities [music, arts, etc...]:
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Page [2]
I am interested in the following ministries:
Visitation
__Heading up a Visitation Ministry
__Visiting a woman who has recently attended our church
__I would like to visit - but would prefer to go with someone else
__Baking cookies/bread/pies to take to visitors
Visitor/New Member Luncheon
At the end of every two months we would like to have a luncheon after the 2nd
service to welcome new members and visitors. It would be kept as simple
as possible with 2-3 women coordinating each lunch. If we have enough volunteers
we would each take a turn once or twice a year.
__Okay count me in, I will help cook/serve
__I would love to head up this ministry!
__I would be interested in decorating and setting up
__This is intriguing, but I need more information
Prayer
Chain
There will be a prayer chain starting in January to share requests with the
body. We are still in need of 1-3 persons to be at the “top” of the list to
receive the calls and get the requests going...
__I would be able to do this
__I would like to be called to pray for others
__please
add me to the email prayer chain list that is sent out weekly
Card Ministry
We are currently sending out cards for birthdays and anniversaries.
__I would like to help make cards
__I could help address and mail cards
Childcare
We would like to have a childcare program during studies and some events. Our
plan is to have a story, craft and playtime. This position would be paid
and could be for one time events or during the course of a specific study.
__Yes, I would love to help in this area
__Please contact me about this - I am interested and have some questions.
__I am interested in coordinating this ministry
Discipleship
__I would like to learn how to share my faith more effectively
__I have experience in discipleship
Retreat
__ Planning committee
__ Help where needed
__Teach a workshop; subject_____________________________________
Ladies Night Out Meetings/Special Events
__I have an idea for a meeting:______________________________________
__I would like to help plan an event
Special Needs
I would like a workshop or support group in the following area:
__Adult children of Alcoholics
__Divorce Recovery
__Parenting Skills
__Other:____________________
SAMPLE 2
A great example from Summit Church
in Durham,
NC
Women’s Ministries Survey Fall 2005
We want to effectively plan for YOU! Help us by filling out this
quick survey! Please copy/paste this survey into your email or microsoft
word and email to: women@summitchurch.cc
1. Fellowship
I would participate in:
___ Retreat (Friday &/or
Saturday night)
___ Conference
___ Banquets/Luncheons/Teas/Coffees
___ Welcome2Women for ladies new to the Summit
___ Other _______________________________
2. Study Opportunities
I would participate in:
___ Identifying my Spiritual gifts
___ Women’s Bible Study (SummitLIFE groups)
___ Weekday morning ___Weekday evening ___Weekday noon ___Sunday
PM
___ Christian Book Club Reviews
___ Other _______________________________
3. Ministry Opportunities Within Women’s Ministries
I would participate in:
___ Crafts & Special
Interests
___ Encouragement (writing notes of encouragement)
___ Mentoring
___ Lifestyle Witnessing
___ Local Missions Projects
___ Project Linus (sewing blankets for critically ill children)
___ Prayer Ministry (receive Women’s Ministries prayer requests
via email)
___ Wellness events (spiritual/ emotional/ physical)
___ Other _______________________________
4. Your Interests
I would participate (P) or teach (T)
___ Marriage Enrichment ___ Exercise ___ Gardening
___ Home Repair ___ Time Management ___ Cooking
___ Financial Planning ___ Photography ___ First Aid
___ Interior Decorating ___ Living Independently ___ Hospitality
___ Parenting/G-parenting ___ Self-Defense ___ Infertility
___ Scrapbooking ___ Single Again ___ Eldercare
___ Homeschooling ___ Healthy Living ___ Other
___ Parenting Teens ___ Creativity (type)___________________
5. Your Talents
I would be willing to utilize my talents through:
___ Artwork ___ Bulletin Boards ___ Creative Displays
___ Graphics ___ Photography ___ Creative Writing
___ Newsletters ___ Website ___ Brochure Design
___ Phone Calling ___ Mailings ___ Computer Skills
___ Advertising ___ Other __________________________________
6. Especially for Career Women
I would participate (P) and/or teach (T)
___ Witnessing at Work ___ Midlife Careers
___ Christian character at work ___ Starting a home-based business
___ Time Management ___ Other _______________________
7. Personal Profile
Birth date: _________________
Status: ___ Single ___ Married ___ Widowed ___ Single Again
Age of Children at home if any: _____________________________________
Occupation: _____________________________________________________
Name: __________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________
City/Zip: ________________________________________________________
Telephone: ____________________Email: ____________________________
One more final question: (Feel free to write as much as you
want)
What is the one thing you love to do that no one has ever asked
you to do…?
Any Additional Comments:
Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire.
SAMPLE 3
A great example from Applestar
Productions Please help
us by sharing your views in an attempt to determine and
meet the needs of the women in congregation.
The greatest need I have that could be filled by Women's Ministries
is…
I'd like to see these things happen in our ministry, and would
support them if they did.
Bible Study
Intercessory Prayer
Prayer Chain
Evangelistic Outreach
Mentor Relationships
Moms support group
Single Mom's support
Widow's group
Just for Fun Events
Retreat
District Events (rallies)
Other Christian Events and Seminars (beyond AG)
Babysitting Exchange
Craft night
Games night
Culture night--museum, concert, theatre
Fix up/redecorate some rooms in the church
Fundraisers
What other suggestions do you have for types of events?
I'd like to help out in Women's Ministry events by
Decorating
Cooking
Cleanup
Set up
Preparing meals for special needs (illness, funeral, weddings)
Planning events
Speaking
Leading worship
Publicity
Entertaining speakers/missionaries
I'd be willing to ____________________ if only someone would
ask me to help.
I'd like women's ministry events to be
Spiritually edifying for my personal growth
Places I can bring my unsaved friends
Time just for fellowship with other women
Other:
When would you prefer to get together? Check all that work for
you. (chart of days and times)
These are just three examples for surveys. Many other ideas
for surveys are included in several of our resource books. Also,
you can google "women's ministry surveys" and get some great
online samples.
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