Learn how you can make people-centered decisions to propel your church forward.
The number of people who attend weekly in-person church services in America has declined significantly over the past decade.[1] Your congregation might be feeling the effects of low church attendance, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving you to wonder how you can start bringing more people through your doors to hear your message.
A church survey can be surprisingly helpful in identifying the 'why' behind low church attendance so that you can change things for the better. The secret is to craft a survey that asks impactful questions that give you the insights you need to make a difference.
What are the benefits of conducting a church survey?
A church survey is like a litmus test for your congregation. It can help determine what people think of your church and what they'd like to see change. A well-crafted survey fills these two primary needs by:
Pinpointing the areas where your attendees think that you stand out.
Identifying areas where your services, facilities, or programs are falling short.
Confronting survey results might make you nervous. But it's important to know what's really on your congregation's mind so that you can make people-centered decisions that propel your church forward.[2]
How is a church survey conducted?
The easiest way to create a survey is by using survey software that includes church survey questionnaire templates. These programs also calculate results and run reports for you. You can use your congregation's current church management software to pull the names, email addresses, and mailing addresses of all attendees and members, and then send invites to your survey, and put a QR code in your service bulletin so that members can navigate to it easily. Be sure to offer paper copies of the survey too.
What are some key questions to ask in a church survey?
Your church survey should start with basic demographic questions that ask respondents about their age, gender, ethnicity, family configuration, preferred language, and education level. This information can help identify the priorities of different demographic groups. For example, you might find that evening services are popular with young families but not older attendees.
Sample church survey questions to drive attendance
If your primary concern is boosting attendance among people who belong to your congregation but don't attend frequently, be sure to ask:
Why did you originally start attending our church?
What do you like most about our church services?[3](You should also include options like atmosphere, worship, location, facilities, activities, and pastor.)
What do you like least about our church services?
Do you feel that the weekly sermons are relevant to your life?
On the whole, do you agree with our church's beliefs and doctrine?
Church survey questions to identify budget needs
If your goal is to trim down on church spending without losing congregants, you should ask
On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable are you with donating to our church?
What upcoming programs are you most likely to attend?[4]
What upcoming programs are you least likely to attend?
Do you think the way our church spends money aligns with your mission statement?
What amenities are the most important to you? You should also include things such as childcare, coffee bar, Sunday School classes, and volunteer opportunities.
Church survey questions to shape the future
If you want to drive future church growth and attract new attendees, ask
Which services or activities, if any, do you avoid?
Do you attend or have you considered attending church online?
What are the top three things you are looking for in a church?
How far are you willing to travel to attend church?
Have you ever invited friends or family to our church?
How should you write effective church survey questions?
Effective church survey questions are short, easy to understand, and ask about only one thing at a time. Avoid questions that sound judgmental, such as 'Why don't you come to church anymore?' or 'What has caused you to lose your faith?' Get input on survey questions from other church leaders and long-time congregants.
You'll get the best results from your church survey when you have a clear goal in mind.[5] If you're taking a survey to help direct your budget, it's important to ask your congregation questions about their attitudes toward church programs, the church budget, and tithing. If you want to grow your congregation, you would need to ask questions about things like attendee experience and willingness to invite friends to church.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when conducting a church survey?
One of the biggest mistakes that church leaders make with surveys is offering them only in one format. While it's easiest for you to analyze data gathered by an electronic survey, some members of your congregation may not have access to internet-connected technology. Be sure to provide a paper version of your survey for anyone who likes it that way.
Another big mistake is to avoid asking the hard questions. Maybe you're worried that your congregants will be critical of your messages or the church's budget. But don't leave the tough stuff out. You'll get the most out of your church survey if you gather opinions on the things that you aren't doing well.
How can you use the results of a church survey to improve your ministry?
You can make the most use out of your survey results by pinpointing the biggest victories and biggest pain points for your congregation. If 70% of respondents said that they want to see your church invest in a coffee bar, look into ways to maximize your budget and make it possible. If the majority of respondents say they don't plan on attending certain upcoming programs, consider cutting or reducing those programs.
Read up on survey essentials
Ready to conduct a successful survey but need church survey templates or programs? Check out these guides and shortlists to learn more about church management, survey, and voting software.