We Want Your Input! 
We are requesting congregational members to take part in a congregational vitality survey.   
Please note you will be asked to enter our 5 digit congregational code: 13045.

why should i take the Congregational Vitality Survey?


Introduction
I’m glad you are considering taking the Congregational 
Vitality Survey. 
The congregational vitality survey is a way to tell how 
vital your congregation is in three areas: your 
congregation’s connections to God, each other and the 
world. Each area will receive a score on a scale from 1­
5. Use this information in addition to information about 
your context, finances and attendance to get a well­
rounded sense of your overall vitality. 

What is the survey like?
The survey is available online or as a 1 page front/back 
paper form.  The questions invite individuals to answer a 
number of questions about the congregation or the 
individual completing the survey.  Most of the items ask 
for ratings along a scale from 1­5. The online version of 
the survey asks respondents to share the strengths and 
challenges they see as well as any bright spots that 
other congregations may want to emulate. It usually 
takes 10 to ­15 minutes to complete the survey.  

What happens after the survey?
Once you finish the survey the information will be sent to 
Dann in the Research and Evaluation department. Dann 
and Linda then analyze the data and write a 12 page 
PDF and/or Word report.  The report includes 
descriptions of how people responded to each item as 
well as interpretation of what it all means and how you 
might use it. 

How this information will be shared?
Within a few weeks of completing the survey, a written 
report with the results and an analysis of what it means 
will be shared with you and your synod’s office of the 
Bishop. 

The information you provide will also be included in a 
large database with the results from other congregations 
and used for further statistical analysis. Any reports on 
this analysis will remove all information that may identify 
individual congregations. 

What is the experience of other congregations? 
Since the summer of 2013 over 50 congregations from 
five synods have taken this survey. This survey provides 
leaders a way to understand how people are really 
feeling. The report has often acted as a catalyst for 
constructive conversation around issues that may be 
sensitive. For some this is a tool to develop a ministry 
plan, for others it is a pulse check and for others it is a 
way of deciding whether they should continue their 
ministry or end it with dignity. 

After receiving the report congregations have used the 
information in a number of ways including:  
  • Identifying areas of strength and struggle 
  • Choosing an area of ministry to focus upon
  • Understanding the interaction between spiritual growth and congregational conflict so that both can be improved
  • Initiating a year of intentional discernment about next steps for a congregational renewal x Teaching and preaching on what it means to be connected with God, each other and the world
  • Finding commonalities and differences among congregations working to partner in new ways

Where did it come from? 
What does it cost?
This survey was created out of the Living into the Future 
Together (LIFT) initiative and is part of an ongoing 
research project being conducted by the ELCA’s 
Congregational and Synodical Mission unit in 
collaboration with the Research and Evaluation 
department. The research seeks to understand the 
critical factors affecting congregational vitality. 
Information about the development of the survey and its 
reliability and validity are available upon request. At this 
time there is no charge for the survey.