Initial Reflections on Sunday School Survey Results, Part 5

Monday 7th February, 2011

In Part 1 of this series, I shared survey results about reported differences between growing and declining churches related to changed growth status, apprenticing new leaders for new classes, inviting people for a high attendance, and (4) budgeting money for Sunday School plans. In Part 2, I shared results about prospect lists, planning meetings, parking, salvation, starting on-time.

In Part 3, I shared results about chair arrangement, age-grading, classroom space, worship guest registration, unused classrooms, and training expectations. In Part 4, I shared results about setting goals, making contacts, visitation, teachers arriving early, starting new classes, and tenure of survey responder. In Part 5, I will share results about church location, attendance as a percentage of enrollment, total number of classes, time scheduled for Sunday School, and Bible study classes away from church. What can you learn about your ministry from this information?

CHURCH LOCATION. Statement: The location of my church is... Comment: More rural growing Sunday School surveys were returned than declining ones.

Question 48 Growing Declining NonKY
Rural
60.7%
54.3%
18.4%
Suburban
3.3%
7.6%
39.5%
City/Town
32.8%
31.5%
42.1%


ATTENDANCE AS PERCENTAGE OF ENROLLMENT. Statement: When I divide my average Sunday School attendance by my current Sunday School enrollment, the result is... Comment: Growing Sunday Schools averaged a higher percentage of their enrollment than did declining Sunday Schools.

Question 51 Growing Declining NonKY
Less than 40%
13.9%
19.3%
5.3%
40-49%  
12.3%
14.7%
42.1%
50-59%
13.1%
13.2%
13.2%
60-69%
11.5%
10.2%
13.2%
70-79%
22.1%
14.7%
5.3%
More than 69%
17.2%
14.7%
5.3%

TOTAL NUMBER OF CLASSES. Statement: The total number of classes (preschool, children, youth, and adult) in my Sunday School is... Comment: Growing Sunday Schools tend to have more classes this year than last year.

Question 53 Growing Declining NonKY
Less than last year
6.6%
11.2%
5.3%
Same as last year
47.5%
49.7%
31.6%
Little more than last year
39.3%
31.5%
57.9%
Lot more than last year
2.5%
1.0%
5.3%


TIME SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL. Statement: Time scheduled for Sunday School is... Comment: Growing Sunday School tend to have a little longer for Sunday School.

Question 55 Growing Declining NonKY
45 minutes
41.8%
42.6%
2.6%
One hour  
53.3%
48.7%
76.3%
More than one hour
1.6%
2.5%
21.1%


BIBLE STUDY CLASSES AWAY FROM CHURCH. Statement: My church offers Bible study classes away from church AND/OR at another time than Sunday morning. Comment: Growing Sunday Schools have small groups away from church or on another day more often than declining Sunday Schools.

Question 56 Growing Declining NonKY
None
44.3%
57.4%
36.8%
0-5 groups
47.5%
34.0%
52.6%
6-10 groups
3.3%
1.0%
7.9%
More than 10 groups
1.6%
1.0%
2.6%


In Part 6 of this series, I will begin to reflect on overall survey results--offering some possible reasons for the results. Review Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 to review previous posts. What can you learn from the data so far to lead your Sunday School to prepare for growth? Honestly, ignoring any of these issues will lead to missing some growth opportunity. Pray. Evaluate. Identify needs and priorities. Set goals and make plans to grow. Be revolutionary!

For more ideas about Sunday School growth goals, check out these blog posts:

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