First Presbyterian Church Houston, Texas October, 2016
Congregational Survey Report
Introduction from TAG In seeking to more fully understand the present opinions and beliefs of the membership of First Presbyterian Church, Houston regarding the issues related to the congregation’s affiliation with the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA), the church contracted with TAG Consulting (TAG). FPC has worked with TAG Consulting in the past to identify the church’s strengths, weaknesses, core values, and strategic priorities. TAG Consulting works with churches and other organizations to help each understand its unique role and calling, and to help each become more effective and efficient for the future. TAG is a management consulting and coaching firm headquartered in Fairfax, VA, just outside Washington, DC. We specialize in executive coaching, leadership development, and visioning. Our client mix includes all three major sectors: public (government agencies); social (faith-based, churches, and nonprofits) and private (businesses and corporations). TAG Consulting’s Core Values are: • Creating Hope • Making a Difference • Systems Thinking • Going for It • Having Fun • Caring for Others
Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary • Survey Design • Survey Implementation and Integrity • Survey Participation and Accuracy • Demographics (Cross Tabs) • High-level Summary 2. Survey Results
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1. Executive Summary This executive summary is provided to enable the church to understand the design, implementation, and overall results of the congregational survey. Statistically significant results of the subgroups within the cross tabs will also be highlighted.
Survey Design The survey was designed in collaboration with TAG to ensure a carefully crafted survey that would be unbiased, clear, and informative. TAG also provided assurances regarding tracking the integrity (see below) of the survey. The survey was designed to provide depth and breadth of information through the use of four cross tabs: • Membership • Length of Membership • Worship Attendance • Age These cross tabs provide the ability to discern the answers of the total survey participants and to see how each of the subgroups within each cross tab has answered the questions.
Survey Implementation and Integrity The survey was administered electronically. TAG provided the survey tool and instructions. FPC provided an email list. TAG distributed, by email, and invitation and link to participate in the survey. Each email link could be used only one time, ensuring that no one could take the survey more than once or share the link with others. The church also made computers available on October 23rd for others to take the survey.
Survey Participation and Accuracy Total survey respondents: Total possible respondents:
1,185 4,227
Survey Accuracy Confidence Level: 95% Error Level: plus/minus 2.4% When we take the total membership and the total number of survey respondents, we can determine the accuracy of the survey results. There are two concepts that work together to measure accuracy; confidence level and error level. For the results of the FPC Houston 3
Congregational Survey, we have a 95% confidence level that the error level is plus/minus 2.4%. Thus, if we were to conduct this survey 100 more times, for 95 times of those, the results would be the same within the margin of error of plus/minus 2.4%.
Demographics (Cross Tabs) The demographic questions provide information about who participated in the survey and are used as cross tabs to determine how the various subgroups within the demographics have answered the survey questions. The church may also use the demographic results to compare the actual demographic realities within the church with those in the survey. This enables the church to determine if there are various subgroups that are over or underrepresented.
Q1: Are you a member of First Presbyterian Church Houston?
Response Percent
Answer Options
10.5% 89.5%
No Yes
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Q2: Choose the answer that best describes your membership in this congregation:
Response Percent
Answer Options
16.7% 14.8% 12.5% 47.3% 8.8%
Member 0-4 years Member 5-9 years Member 10-14 years Member 15 years or more Nonmember, but actively involved
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Q3: Choose the answer that best describes your worship attendance:
Response Percent
Answer Options
17.6% 7.2% 61.8% 7.4% 6.0%
I attend 1-2 times per month I attend 2-4 times per year I attend 3-4 times per month I attend less than I time per month I do not attend worship
Q4: Choose the answer that describes your age:
Answer Options
Response Percent
15-25 years old 26-35 years old 36-45 years old 46-60 years old Over 60 years old
7.7% 13.4% 16.5% 25.5% 37.0%
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High-level Summary Besides the demographic questions already mentioned above, there are essentially two categories of questions in the survey. One category is the questions related to the possibility of seeking dismissal from the PC(USA) in order to affiliate with ECO. The other category is concerned with people’s personal beliefs related to various theological and practical positions which are of concern in the relationship of First Presbyterian Church Houston to the PC(USA). We will begin this high-level summary with the questions related to seeking dismissal from the PC(USA). Possible Dismissal from the PCUSA Should First Presbyterian Church Houston seek dismissal from the PC(USA) and affiliate with ECO? Yes: No: No opinion/don’t care:
67% 24% 9%
Subgroups • Those who have been members 0-14 years are more likely than others to say yes. • Those who say they attend worship 3-4 times per month are more likely than others to say yes. • Nonmembers are more likely than others to say no. • Those who have been members 15+ years are more likely than other to say no. • Those that say they attend worship less than 1 time per month, 2-4 times per year, or who say they do not attend worship are more likely than others to say no. • Those who are 15-25 years old are more likely than others to say no. This question regarding whether or not to seek dismissal has various consequences, e.g., how many will stay or leave if the church seeks dismissal or if the church decides to stay affiliated with the PC(USA). Thus the following two questions seek to discern the answers:
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If First Presbyterian Church Houston is dismissed from the PC(USA) to affiliate with ECO: I will most likely stay with this congregation I will most likely leave or stop attending regularly I don’t know what I will do
73% 16% 11%
Subgroups • Nonmembers are more likely than others to say they will leave if First Presbyterian Church Houston is dismissed from the PC(USA). • Nonmembers are more likely than others to say they don’t know what they will do if First Presbyterian Church Houston is dismissed from the PC(USA). • Those who have been members 0-4 years are more likely than others to say that they will stay with the congregation if First Presbyterian Church Houston is dismissed from the PC(USA). • Those who have been members 10-14 years are more likely than others to say that they will stay with the congregation if First Presbyterian Church Houston is dismissed from the PC(USA). • Those who say that they attend worship 3-4 times per month are more likely than others to say that they will stay with the congregation if First Presbyterian Church Houston is dismissed from the PC(USA). • Those who say they attend worship less than 1 time per month, 2-4 times per year, or who do not attend worship are more likely than others to say that they will not stay with the congregation if First Presbyterian Church Houston is dismissed from the PC(USA). • Those who are 15-35 years old are more likely than others to say that they will stay with the congregation if First Presbyterian Church Houston is dismissed from the PC(USA). As can be seen, even though 67% said that they want to seek dismissal from the PCUSA, if the church did end up seeking dismissal, and it was approved, 73% say they would most likely stay with First Presbyterian Church Houston. 12% say they would most likely leave, and the remaining 11% say that they are not sure what they would do.
If First Presbyterian Church Houston does not seek dismissal from the PC(USA): I will most likely stay with this congregation I will most likely leave or stop attending regularly I don’t know what I will do 8
57% 16% 25%
Subgroups • Those who are over 60 years old say they more likely than others to stay if First Presbyterian Church Houston does not seek dismissal from the PC(USA). • Those who worship 2-4 times per year or who do not worship at all are more likely than others to leave if First Presbyterian Church Houston does not seek dismissal from the PC(USA). • Those who are 15-25 years old are more likely than others to leave if First Presbyterian Church Houston does not seek dismissal from the PC(USA). • Those who are 26-45 years old are more likely than others to say they do not know what they will do if First Presbyterian Church Houston does not seek dismissal from the PC(USA). As can be seen, with 67% saying that they want to seek dismissal from the PC(USA), if the church did not end up seeking dismissal, only 57% say they would stay with the church. 16% say they would most likely leave, and the remaining 25% say that they do not know they would do.
How important is it to you that First Presbyterian Church Houston continue to be affiliated with the PC(USA)? Unimportant Somewhat Important Undecided Mildly Important Very Important
55% 7% 8% 9% 19%
Subgroups • Nonmembers are more likely than others to say that it is very important for First Presbyterian Church Houston to continue to be affiliated with the PC(USA). • Those who have been members for 0-4 years are more likely than others to say that it is unimportant for First Presbyterian Church Houston to continue to be affiliated with the PC(USA). • Those who say they attend worship 3-4 times per month are more likely than others to say that it is unimportant for First Presbyterian Church Houston to continue to be affiliated with the PC(USA). • Those who say they attend worship less than 1 time per month, 2-4 times per year, or not at all are more likely than others to say that it is very
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important for First Presbyterian Church Houston to continue to be affiliated with the PC(USA).
Personal Beliefs The following are high-level results regarding personal beliefs. Do you agree or disagree that Jesus Christ is the only Lord and Savior? Agree/Strongly Agree •
• •
90%
Those who say they attend worship 3-4 times per month are more likely than others to say they strongly agree that Jesus Christ is the only Lord and Savior. Those who are 15-25 years old are more likely than others to say they strongly agree that Jesus Christ is the only Lord and Savior. Nonmembers are more likely than others to say they strongly disagree that Jesus Christ is the only Lord and Savior.
How important is it that First Presbyterian Church Houston affirms the gospel of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation with God? Mildly Important/Very Important •
•
•
•
91%
Those who have been members 0-4 years are more likely than others to say that it is very important that First Presbyterian Church Houston affirms the gospel of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation with God. Those who say that they attend worship 3-4 times per month are more likely than others to say that it is very important that First Presbyterian Church Houston affirms the gospel of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation with God. Those who are 15-25 years old are more likely than others to say that it is very important that First Presbyterian Church Houston affirms the gospel of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation with God. Those who say they worship less than 1 time per month, 2-4 times per year or not at all are less likely than others to say that it is very important that First Presbyterian Church Houston affirms the gospel of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation with God. 10
How important is it that First Presbyterian Church Houston affirms the Bible as God’s authoritative Word for Christians? Mildly Important/Very Important •
• •
•
92%
Those who have been members 0-4 years are more likely than others to say it is very important that First Presbyterian Church Houston affirms the Bible as God’s authoritative Word for Christians. Those who say they attend worship 3-4 times per month are more likely than others to say it is very important that First Presbyterian Church Houston affirms the Bible as God’s authoritative Word for Christians. Nonmembers are less likely than others to say it is very important that First Presbyterian Church Houston affirms the Bible as God’s authoritative Word for Christians. Those who say they attend worship less than 1 time per month, 2-4 times per year, or not at all are less likely than others to say it is very important that First Presbyterian Church Houston affirms the Bible as God’s authoritative Word for Christians.
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2. Survey Results The survey results below include the composite results for each question across all survey respondents. Both numbers and percentages are given for each question. The survey results also include the responses for the four cross tabs and their subgroups when statistically significant: Membership, Length of Membership, Worship Attendance, and Age. Cross tab subgroup answers that are 5% higher or lower than the composite score are considered statistically significant. Scores 5% higher (or more) are given in green and 5% lower (or more) are given in red. Subgroups that are within plus or minus 5% of the composite score are left blank.
(Survey results begin on the next page)
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Q5: Should First Presbyterian Church Houston seek dismissal from the PC(USA) and affiliate with ECO?
Response Percent
Answer Options
67.1% 23.6% 8.5% 0.8%
Yes No No Opinion No Response
Member Nonmember Member 0-4 years Member 5-9 years Member 10-14 years Member 15 years or more Nonmember, but actively involved I attend 3-4 times per month I attend 1-2 times per month I attend less than 1 time per month I attend 2-4 times per year I do not attend worship 15-25 years old 26-35 years old 36-45 years old 46-60 years old Over 60 years old
Yes
No
52.0% 78.6%
34.2% 12.9%
No Opinion/Don’t Care 13.8% 13.7%
74.5% 53.9% 75.8% 48.3% 46.5% 37.1%
28.9% 31.4% 17.6% 40.5% 39.5% 47.1% 15.5%
14.7%
14.0% 15.7% 13.9%
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Q6: If First Presbyterian Church Houston is dismissed from the PC(USA) to affiliate with ECO:
Response Percent
Answer Options
73.2% 15.5% 10.5% 0.8%
I will most likely leave or stop attending regularly
I don’t know what I will do.
Member Nonmember Member 0-4 years Member 5-9 years Member 10-14 years Member 15 years or more Nonmember, but actively involved Worship 3-4 times per month Worship 1-2 times per month Worship less than 1 time per month Worship 2-4 times per year I do not attend worship 15-25 years old 26-35 years old 36-45 years old 46-60 years old Over 60 years old
I will most likely stay with this congregation
I will most like stay with this congregation I will most likely leave or stop attending regularly I don’t know what I will do No response
60.5% 86.9%
21.0% 8.4%
18.6% 4.5%
79.9% 64.4%
18.3%
82.9%
9.5%
51.1%
30.7%
18.2%
52.9% 33.3% 84.6% 78.3%
35.3% 43.5% 8.8%
23.2%
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Q7: If First Presbyterian Church Houston does not seek dismissal from the PC(USA):
Response Percent
Answer Options
I will most likely leave or stop attending regularly
I will most likely stay with this congregation Member Nonmember Member 0-4 years Member 5-9 years Member 10-14 years Member 15 years or more Nonmember, but actively involved Worship 3-4 times per month Worship 1-2 times per month Worship less than 1 time per month Worship 2-4 times per year I do not attend worship 15-25 years old 26-35 years old 36-45 years old 46-60 years old Over 60 years old
I don’t know what I will do.
57.1% 16.4% 24.8% 1.7%
I will most like stay with this congregation I will most likely leave or stop attending regularly I don’t know what I will do No Response
29.9%
10.5% 50.6% 33.9%
27.7% 29.2% 23.3%
36.9% 30.2% 30.6%
63.7%
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Q8: How important is it to you that First Presbyterian Church Houston continue to be affiliated with the PC(USA)?
Answer Options
Unimportant 1
Somewhat Important 2
Undecided 3
Mildly Important 4
Very Important 5
Rating Average
54.8%
7.3%
7.9%
8.7%
19.0%
2.23
Unimportant Member Nonmember Member 0-4 years Member 5-9 years Member 10-14 years Member 15 years or more Nonmember, but actively involved Worship 3-4 times per month Worship 1-2 times per month Worship less than 1 time per month Worship 2-4 times per year I do not attend worship 15-25 years old 26-35 years old 36-45 years old 46-60 years old Over 60 years old
Somewhat Important
Undecided
Mildly Important
47.9% 60.1%
Very Important 24.0% 12.6%
62.3% 38.6% 37.4% 39.7%
13.2% 12.4%
14.6%
27.3% 36.1% 38.2% 9.0%
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Q9: Do you agree or disagree that Jesus Christ is the only Lord and Savior?
Answer Options
Strongly Disagree 1
Disagree 2
Undecided 3
Agree 4
Strongly Agree 5
Rating Average
5.4%
0.8%
0.9%
10.0%
80.0%
4.49
Strongly Disagree Member Nonmember Member 0-4 years Member 5-9 years Member 10-14 years Member 15 years or more Nonmember, but actively involved Worship 3-4 times per month Worship 1-2 times per month Worship less than 1 time per month Worship 2-4 times per year I do not attend worship 15-25 years old 26-35 years old 36-45 years old 46-60 years old 60 years old or older
Disagree
Undecided
Agree
Strongly Agree
9.5%
10.4% 87.5% 20.0% 20.0% 20.0% 4.6%
71.8% 73.8% 64.5% 90.7%
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Q10: How important is it that First Presbyterian Church Houston affirms the gospel of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation with God?
Answer Options
Unimportant 1
Somewhat Important 2
Undecided 3
Mildly Important 4
Very Important 5
Rating Average
2.5%
2.1%
1.9%
8.9%
81.6%
4.56
Unimportant Member Nonmember Member 0-4 years Member 5-9 years Member 10-14 years Member 15 years or more Nonmember, but actively involved Worship 3-4 times per month Worship 1-2 times per month Worship less than 1 time per month Worship 2-4 times per year I do not attend worship 15-25 years old 26-35 years old 36-45 years old 46-60 years old Over 60 years old
Somewhat Important
Undecided
Mildly Important
Very Important
91.4%
89.7%
7.5% 8.1%
12.9%
15.0% 8.1%
76.5% 71.3% 64.5% 89.5%
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Q11: How important is it that First Presbyterian Church Houston affirms the Bible as God’s authoritative Word for Christians?
Answer Options
Unimportant 1
Somewhat Important 2
Undecided 3
Mildly Important 4
Very Important 5
Rating Average
1.4%
2.0%
1.5%
8.2%
83.8%
4.62
Unimportant Member Nonmember Member 0-4 years Member 5-9 years Member 10-14 years Member 15 years or more Nonmember, but actively involved Worship 3-4 times per month Worship 1-2 times per month Worship less than 1 time per month Worship 2-4 times per year I do not attend worship 15-25 years old 26-35 years old 36-45 years old 46-60 years old Over 60 years old
Somewhat Important
Undecided
Mildly Important
Very Important 78.5% 89.9%
14.4% 15.3% 20.0% 9.7%
92.6% 78.1% 76.5% 71.3% 71.0%
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