Congregational Assessment Tool (C.A.T.)

C.A.T. Results and Upcoming Listening Sessions

The Vestry met with Emily Swanson of Holy Cow! Consulting via Zoom on February 19 for the interpretation of the Congregational Assessment Tool (C.A.T) survey that 57 persons responded to out of a total of 160 persons invited.  Overall, approximately 67% of our members are clearly satisfied with things in the church.  This, along with other information, indicates that the church has options which include growth, expansion, replication, and external impact.  Whether any of these will be realized depends on the choices made.

The report went on to identify the top four goals are:

•   Change or improve the music of the church to deepen our worship experience.
•   Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to reach new people and incorporate them into the life of the church.
•   Develop the spiritual generosity of people to financially support the ministry of the church.
•   Develop ministries that work toward healing those broken by life circumstances.

In comparison to other churches, three goals that are unusually strong for our church are

•       Change or improve the music of the church to deepen our worship experience.
•       Develop the spiritual generosity of people to financially support the ministry of the church
•       Enlarge or improve the physical facilities of the church to expand or enhance our ministries.

We will explore and validate the information gathered through “Listening Sessions” in mid-March.  Emily will be with us for four in-person sessions and one session via Zoom for those who for physical reasons prevent them from attending an in-person session.  As it says in the summary, “Survey data is not the end of a conversation but the beginning.”  Listening sessions help everyone to be heard and continues the conversation.

You will receive an invitation to sign up for one of the following sessions so be thinking now about which one you will attend.  Each session will be in person (except for March 18) and limited to twenty people or less:

Friday, March 13 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 14 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, March 14 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 15 from 11:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Zoom

The last piece is that we have contracted with Holy Cow! Consulting that will result in a Leadership Summit on April 24 and Saturday, April 25.  Vestry, staff, and other congregational leaders will be invited to review the gathered data with Emily and map a way forward together.

These are exciting times as we seek to be faithful to Christ’s call and articulate a clear sense of mission and purpose for the Episcopal Community of St. Thomas in Camden and beyond.  Thank you for for your participation in this important work.  Click here for an Executive Summary of the “Vital Signs” report.

Click on picture above to read the complete “Vital Signs” report.
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