As a church leader, you know that staying attuned to the wants and needs of your congregation is important. But what you may not know is that conducting regular church surveys can be a game-changer in this regard. Surveys can provide valuable insight into what your community enjoys, where you can make improvements, and how you can drive growth and engagement. 

At BeyondSundays, we believe in the power of data-driven decision-making. That’s why we’re going to show you how to leverage church surveys to unlock your church’s full potential!

What Are the Benefits of Church Surveys?

Church surveys serve as a direct line of communication between church leaders and community members. They provide an easy and convenient way of learning what people think about your organization. Plus, actively seeking feedback demonstrates a commitment to listening and adapting to their needs. 

Here are some key benefits of incorporating surveys into your strategy:

• Gain Insight into Member Preferences: You can get a deeper understanding of what resonates with your congregation—from sermon styles to blog topics. 

• Identify Areas for Improvement: You can pinpoint where your church or ministry is failing to meet members’ needs and address concerns more effectively.

• Enhance Engagement: You can engage members in the decision-making process, fostering a sense of ownership and community within your organization.

• Discover New Opportunities: You can find opportunities for new programs and fill gaps that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

Ultimately, surveys are a great source of input from those who are involved with your church or ministry. Applying that input to your services, programs, and resources can yield tremendous improvement. More importantly, it can help your church evolve and keep it from closing. 

How to Set up a Church Survey

At first glance, setting up a church survey may seem complicated. But the good news is it doesn’t have to be! With the right tools and approach, you can easily create surveys that yield meaningful insights. 

Here are the basic steps to follow:

1. Define Your Objectives.

Clearly outline the goals of your survey. What specific insights are you hoping to gain? Whether it’s improving Sunday services or refining your outreach efforts, clarity is key.

2. Choose the Right Tool.

Select a user-friendly survey platform to build and send out your survey. There are many options available. For instance, BeyondSundays is equipped with customizable templates and analytics tools to streamline the process.

3. Craft Your Questions.

Develop clear and concise questions that align with your objectives. Your team will likely have suggestions, so bring them in to brainstorm. Also, consider using a mix of questions such as the following:

• Multiple choice 

• Rating scales

• Open-ended

Using a variety of questions will allow you to capture diverse perspectives. 

Tip: Although it’s tempting to create as many questions as possible, resist the urge. It’s better to keep surveys on the short side. So, keep it to 10 questions maximum. 

4. Design the Survey.

Put effort into the layout and design of your church survey. Keep it visually appealing, easy to navigate, and simple to take. That way, you can ensure a seamless user experience. 

5. Test and Iterate.

Before sending out your survey, test it internally. This will help you identify any glitches or confusing elements. Then, incorporate internal feedback to refine your survey for optimal results.

When to Send Out Church Surveys

Timing is crucial when it comes to sending out church surveys. Although it’s beneficial to gather feedback regularly, you don’t want your members to experience survey fatigue. So, it’s important to strike a balance. 

Here are some strategic times to consider sending out surveys:

• Post-Sunday Service: Capture immediate feedback from members while the service is still fresh in their minds. Consider sending out a brief survey via email or text shortly after the service concludes.

• Seasonal Check-ins: Conduct quarterly or biannual surveys to track trends over time and assess the effectiveness of ongoing initiatives.

• Event-Specific Surveys: Gather feedback following special events, such as community outreach programs or youth retreats, to evaluate their impact and identify areas for improvement.

• Membership Anniversaries: Celebrate member milestones by sending out surveys on their membership anniversaries. This not only shows appreciation but also provides an opportunity for reflection and feedback.

• Visitor/New Member Outreach: Reach out to those who’ve just visited your church or ministry for the first time. Discover what they thought about your service and how you can welcome new members better. 

Conclusion

Incorporating church surveys into your church or ministry tool kit can yield invaluable insights and opportunities for growth. By actively engaging with your congregation and leveraging data-driven decision-making, you can foster a thriving community that continuously evolves to meet the needs of its members. If you’re not already using surveys to learn about your members’ wants, needs, and concerns, now is the time to start. 

At BeyondSundays, we’re passionate about empowering churches with the tools they need to succeed. Ready to take the next step? Visit our Pricing page and start a free trial today!