SURVEY SUMMARY

The congregation of Church on the Hill was asked to thoughtfully reflect on
the ministries and characteristics of our church, as well as to shed light on
our current and future visions for an incoming pastor who will serve with us
in our mission. We are happy to share a summary of our congregational
survey.

ABOUT THE CHURCH ON THE HILL

Church on the Hill is first and foremost a place of worship, but as a
congregation we are community-minded people who lean into our gift of
serving those in need.

Most Important Ministry Activities for our Future

• Preaching

• Membership Growth

• Community Involvement

• Conducting Worship Services

• Spiritual Leadership

• Church Administration

Most Important Current Ministries

• Women‘s Shelter

• White Christmas

• Bargain Boutique

• Young People‘s Fellowship (YPF)

• Bible Study

• Children‘s Ministry (including Food for Kids)

• Music Program

Potential Ministries and Areas of Interest

• Recognizing the needs and increased engagement with our
  immediate community

• Bridging the gap between generations

• Engaging the congregation, especially the youth, in volunteer
  opportunities

• Support for mental wellness

• More engagement with social issues

Biggest Challenges Facing an Incoming Pastor

• Membership growth associated with an aging congregation and
  subsequent loss of long-time members

• The generational gap in our congregants and how to unify and appeal
  to all age groups

• Church in a post-pandemic world – getting the building, ministries and
  programs fully running again, and addressing the spiritual, mental and
  physical effects of Covid-19

• Overseeing and managing an active and aging building

ABOUT THE PERSON WE ARE PRAYING TO CALL

Church on the Hill is a welcoming, loving, and caring ”Beacon of Hope“ to
our congregation, neighbors, and outside community. All should feel
welcomed by and at Church on the Hill, starting with a pastor who shares
that same open-mindedness and compassion.

The following are important ministry gifts of an incoming pastor:

Vision Setting

• While we don‘t expect an incoming pastor to have all the answers,
  we are hopeful for a shared interest and investment of the church‘s
  future and the role it plays in serving our communities.

• We welcome an incoming pastor who has ideas and an enthusiasm
  for physical and spiritual growth. More so, one who can identify gifts
  in others and encourage them to use those gifts to serve and help
  reach our visionary goals in a collaborative way.

Leadership Skills

• While not all administrative responsibilities should fall to the pastor, it‘s
  important for him/her to have a clear vision and direction for the staff,
  Consistory, and committees to take the lead in their ministries and to
  be successful. An incoming pastor should be able to connect with,
  guide, and be accountable to all those who show up to serve.

• Characteristics that are appreciated:

  • Being caring, loving, and approachable

  • Having the ability to inspire and empower

  • Knowing one‘s limitations and having the ability to ask for
    assistance and to delegate

  • Being flexible and open to ideas and input

Pastoral Care

• Church on the Hill has many senior members who appreciate a
  connection, whether it‘s taking the time to chat by phone or to visit.

• The congregation also values active listening, being curious about
  individuals, and being available when necessary.

• It has also been expressed that the possibility of counseling would be
  welcome.

Teaching and Preaching

• A strong belief in God and the ability to preach the Word in a relevant,
  relatable, and inspiring manner is important to our congregation.

• A strong practice in prayer is essential, as is the understanding that
  all are equal in the sight of God.

• We welcome sermons that acknowledge different perspectives, while
  appealing to and not alienating of all who worship with us.

• We appreciate a pastor who can bridge generations with a strong
  engaging message.

• While we haven‘t been able to do so during the pandemic, we would
  like to resume congregational participation during worship in the near
  future.

Experience with Technology

• Many day-to-day office operations, meetings, and communications
  take place digitally via listserves and online platforms (such as
  MailChimp, Google Suites, Zoom, etc.). To maintain efficiency in the
  office, at least a basic understanding of this technology is necessary.

• During the pandemic, we have started livestreaming our services, as
  well as posting music concerts and children’s videos on our YouTube
  channel. Moving forward, we plan to continue these virtual offerings,
  especially live-streamed services, thus some experience and a
  comfort with these technologies are a plus.

• In this time of separation, we have found that technology, especially
  virtual offerings and social media, has allowed us to better connect
  with a younger generation and congregants who have moved away.