1. ANNUAL REVIEW OF A CONGREGATION’S MINISTRY
The purpose of this questionnaire is to help your congregation look at itself as a whole and review its
own ministry as a whole and review its own ministry (not the ministry of the minister or the professional
staff)
Part 1: Think about the goals and plans our congregation made last year. In the space
Acknowledging below, list the goals that you recall and rate how well you feel that they have
What Has Been been accomplished. You may add your understanding of a why a goal was not
Accomplished accomplished.
Describe Goal or Plan Accomplished Partially Partial
Accomplished Accomplished
Why? Why?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Part 2:
Reviewing Our Please rate each skill or quality in the box on the line to its left using the
Performance following rating scale:
5. Exceptional
4. Better than average
3. Average
2. Needs Improvement
1. Needs a lot of work
From The Congregational Handbook 3rd Edition Church Build™ Training Series

2. The best way to rate these qualities is to move through the form quickly, putting down the first number
that comes to mind. Don’t worry about whether you really know the facts about a particular item; what
is important is to record your perception. As you rate the items, note particular strengths and
weaknesses.
Remember, this questionnaire reviews the congregation as a whole (not the minister).
5 Exceptional 4 Better than average 3 Average 2 Needs Improvement 1 Needs a lot of work
Fulfilling Our Purpose ____ We have a congregational community that can depend upon each
and Mission other and take responsibility for each other.
____ We feel a greater unity beneath our diversity, a force which
inspires us (some of us (call it God, or Spirit, the Holy; others Love)
We pay attention to it and we celebrate it.
____ We are devoted to our larger purposed as a congregation
community.
____ We know our congregation’s sense of mission and it helps to order
our responsibilities and priorities.
Inspirational Leadership ____ Congregation members show concern for our essential values by
asking questions and discussing issues in depth.
____ Members of our congregation share their deepest experiences.
____ Members of our congregation live out their religious values in a
way that provides role models for others.
____ Members speak out in congregational meetings and committees.
Practical Leadership ____People think about the needs of the congregation as a whole. They
offer suggestions and request programs that they like. They
organize the activities they want to happen.
____ Lay leaders cooperate with the minister.
____ Lay leaders cooperate with a religious educator.
____ Lay leaders cooperate with other professional staff.
General Staffing ____Members volunteer for committees and positions to staff our
ongoing work. They follow through with their responsibilities.
____Members of committees cooperate well. They understand the
whole job and coordinate their individual roles.
____Members care about their work for our congregation. They
anticipate problems and find solutions.
____We pitch in and support the initiatives of our congregational
leaders.
Taking Care of Facilities ____Our congregation’s building and grounds are maintained properly.
____The interior of the church is comfortable, beautiful, and inviting.
____Furnishing are appropriate for the use of the space.
____Supplies are well provided.
From The Congregational Handbook 3rd Edition Church Build™ Training Series

3. 5 Exceptional 4 Better than average 3 Average 2 Needs Improvement 1 Needs a lot of work
Finances ____We allocate funds appropriately so that working budgets adequately cover
expenses as they occur.
____Budgeting allows for items that may not be practical necessities, but have
aesthetic or human value.
____We canvass effectively, reaching everyone in our congregation.
____We pledge financial support and we meet our commitment.
____We design effective fundraising projects, staff them with enough people,
and bring in the funds that we need.
Budgeting Time ____The congregation uses its human resources wisely, prioritizing projects and
and Energy distributing responsibility widely.
____We have procedures for handling the recurring situations in our life as a
congregation so that committee members don’t have to reinvent the
process each time.
Communication ____People communicate ideas and feelings relevantly and appropriately.
Process Skills ____We think about the needs of others and support others’ goals, which arise
from deep values.
____The congregation facilitates communication and cooperation among
members and builds team spirit.
____In meetings we do business efficiently while paying attention to
cooperative values such as sharing leadership and listening to those who
want to speak.
Worship ____Our congregation regularly provides worship services that are appropriate
Service to the congregation’s needs.
____The subject and styles of our worship services address the needs of the
whole person.
____We seek out all sources for inspiration and guidance.
____Lay people participate in a variety of roles in the worship services.
____Musical elements of the worship services are satisfying.
____The congregation attends worship services.
Religious Education ____Programs are well-balanced, relevant, and involving. They stimulate
For Children personal, emotional, and spiritual development.
And Youth ____Teachers’ attitudes are supportive, caring, and open minded. They have
good rapport with children and youth.
____Programming and staffing are appropriate: Teachers are good at what they
do; they are enough teachers and classes are the right size.
____Parents support the religious education program by getting their children
there regularly.
____The congregation supports the religious education program for children
and youth by volunteering services.
____Children and young people support their religious organization programs
with attention, feedback, and suggestions.
From The Congregational Handbook 3rd Edition Church Build™ Training Series

4. Adult Religious ____Adult religious education programs are well balanced, relevant, and
Education Program involving. They stimulate our personal and spiritual growth.
____The congregation supports adult religious education with feedback and
suggestions.
____The congregation support adult religious education through sharing
leadership and resources.
Outreach ____We create a climate of acceptance and friendliness at our congregation.
The place looks inviting and it is easy to find one’s way around.
____We have an active program for welcoming and orienting new members.
____Congregation members greet new people and follow up with contact.
____We provide activities for assimilating new members into our
congregational community.
____We publicize our activities to let the wider community know what we are
offering.
____We tell our friends what we like about our church and invite them to come
with us.
Fun and Fellowship ____People keep in touch with each other.
____We take advantage of social functions to nurture relationships informally.
____We support the congregation’s need for social fellowship with attendance
and social events.
____We pay attention to individuals needs and create a sense of community,
caring and mutual concern within congregation.
Social Justice ____Congregation members take an active part in community affairs, express a
concern for social well being, and get involved in social issues.
____We take part in interfaith social projects and events.
____We offer educational programs on social justice issues.
Denominational ____We inform ourselves about the history, issues, and values of our religious
Affiliation heritage. We keep in touch with current developments in our continental
association.
____We get involved, both as a church and as individuals, in denominational
activities in our district.
Attitudes ____We remember to emphasize the positive. We offer constructive feedback
and give credit for jobs well done.
____We respect differences, particularly the diversity of our membership.
____We believe in each other, our essential unity, and our ability to work
together with good will when we differ.
____We keep a sense of humor.
____We cultivate enthusiasm for zest.
____We respect the goodness in everyone.
From The Congregational Handbook 3rd Edition Church Build™ Training Series

5. ____We believe people have the power and responsibility to make their own
decisions and encourage them to find their own wisdom and their own
source of guidance.
____We believe that people deserve to be happy as well as good. We give
friendship, share our sources of spiritual strength, and listen to them well.
____We believe in ourselves and in the value of the work that this congregation
does.
Noticing Specific
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths List specific areas in which you feel our performance as a congregation has
improved in the past year.
Areas That Need List in priority order specific areas where you feel our performance as a
Strengthening congregation particularly needs improvement.
Planning What projects or programs would you like to see the congregation initiate in the
coming year?
What suggestions do you have for improving the congregation?
What would you like to see accomplished? List and indicate importance with “1”
being most important, “2” next important etc.
From The Congregational Handbook 3rd Edition Church Build™ Training Series