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An Outreach Quotient Quiz!
How well does your church reach out to its community? Are you ready to
welcome visitors? Take this simple quiz to find out where your church ranks
in its ability to effectively welcome and connect the unchurched.
Choose the answer that most closely matches where your church is NOW.
VISION
1. The desire to reach lost people in our community is included in our Core
Values, which influence our decisions, drive our ministry and help us set
priorities.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
2. My church has a clear, written vision statement that pictures our desired
future.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
3. We have a mission statement that describes who we want to reach, what
their needs are and how we do ministry.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
4. Our church has completed a spiritual and demographic analysis of our
target group and can describe the community's hopes, fears, and values.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
5. Our core group is well-versed in the church's mission and vision, and
they enthusiastically support it with their time and energy.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
STRATEGY
6. My church plans outreach events such as special events, guest speakers
and topical sermon series.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
7. We have a clearly defined ministry plan that includes event promotion,
personal networking and direct mail.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
8. We have an easy-to-navigate website with its own domain name that closely
matches the name of the church, providing essential information about us and
clearly communicating our identity.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
9. We regularly invite our target audience to church events.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
10. Our church has a paid or volunteer outreach director overseeing an
outreach team.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
11. My church has allocated funds for local outreach programs, events, and
tools.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
PROGRAMS
12. Attenders of my church are greeted by smiling people of various ages and
nationalities.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
13. Attenders are asked to fill out information forms.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
14. Attenders are contacted after their visit by phone, letter or thank you
card.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
15. Attenders can get to know us by reading attractive and informative
brochures.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
16. We have a plan for integrating newcomers and a team of people to
implement the plan.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
17. We provide quality childcare and Sunday school activities for children,
and a youth program for teens.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
18. We make our worship service "user friendly" for newcomers.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
STRUCTURE
19. Our building is well-maintained and attractive.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
20. Our entrance is visible from the street and well-marked.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
21. We have designated parking for visitors.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
22. We have an information booth or table where attenders can learn more
about our church and programs.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
23. Our leadership structure is designed to facilitate outreach through a
minimum of red tape and a clear priority to outreach.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
24. Our outreach team has a budget for advertising, direct mail and other
tools and can easily access the funds.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
BARRIERS TO OUTREACH
25. Newcomers are not easily confused, but are directed to parking,
classrooms, and worship services with clear, easy-to-read signs.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
26. Newcomers are not embarrassed by being asked to identify themselves by
standing, raising their hands, or wearing a special name tag, but they are
provided ways to get involved.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
27. Newcomers are not treated as strangers, but are warmly welcomed by
current members who have been assigned to the task or respond naturally.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
28. Newcomers are not expected to find the church only on their own, but are
actively invited to attend by their church friends who have been trained to
use specially designed invitations.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
29. Newcomers are not pressured to make donations, but are verbally exempted
during the collection.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
30. Newcomers are not limited to a single point-of-entry, but are given
multiple entry points in addition to our Sunday service, such as special
events, women's group, small groups, children's programs, and fine arts
programs.
_____ Not True _____Partly True _______ Mostly True ____Completely True
SCORING
Add up your points for each category based on the following scale:
Each Not True = 0
Each Partly True = 1
Each Mostly True = 2
Each Completely True = 3
Add all your points together to get your final results.
RESULTS
0 - 30 pts. - You need to take a hard look at your church's commitment to
outreach. Your church needs to start fresh and set new visions and goals to
make newcomers feel welcome.
30- 60 pts.- Your church is on the road to being outreach-friendly. Look
back over your lower scores and see what areas need improvement - with some
simple changes, you can make a huge difference in your ability to reach the
unchurched!
60- 90 pts. - Your church is already outreach-friendly, but there may be
room for improvement. Invest your time and efforts into raising your lowest
scores and you should see an improvement in your outreach efforts! |