[This is one in a series posted as follow-up to the January 4 Town Halls. This covers questions and concerns about the Renewal Works Survey and other comments provided at that time. More information about the January 4 Town Hall is provided in the overview and summary.]
Analysis and Interpretation of Results
How were the results from Renewal Works analyzed and how was this analysis “customized” for St Mark’s?
The Renewal Works results given to us came in two formats. First we were given power point presentations that included analyses conducted by Renewal Works that compared parishioners within our parish and with other parishes. Second, we were given an appendix that included the tabulated results for each survey question. We used this appendix to cull through the results of each question to discern meaning from the results that were outside of the Renewal Works calculations. See appendix 1 of our report (PDF).
When responses indicate satisfaction with St Mark’s not doing something, how was that counted?
These questions asked respondents to indicate their satisfaction with how well St. Mark’s was supporting their needs in a certain area. Because there was no way to differentiate between respondents who indicated satisfaction that St. Mark’s was not doing from those who indicated satisfaction that St. Mark’s was doing something, these responses were all tabulated together. Based on our review of the comments received from parishioners, the DSC understood this was an issue and attempted to interpret the results in a way to identify broad themes.
How did you incorporate comments outside of the Renewal Works Survey?
Prior to seeing the results of the Renewal Works survey, we conducted a content analysis of all comments received from parishioners. We identified important themes and discussed the variation in the comments received so that all DSC members had an understanding of the nature and diversity of the comments. After receiving the survey results and customizing the analysis, we began our discernment of the results by discussing the comments. Additionally, where appropriate, we included specific comments in our discussion of the possible meaning of the survey results. See appendix 2 of our report.
Are different or more detailed breakouts available for the survey results?
The full report and appendices are available on this web site. We were limited in our ability analyze the Renewal Works data and to generate more breakouts because we were only given tabulated results for each question. To protect the anonymity of respondents, Renewal Works does not provide the raw data to the parish. The age breakouts provided came from Renewal Works. Further breakouts are not available.
Definitions of Renewal Works Terms
What are the definitions of “Exploring”, “Growing”, “Deepening”, “Centered”?
Exploring a Life with God: According to Renewal Works, the people in this group have a basic belief in God, but they’re unsure about God’s role in their lives.
Growing in a Life with God: According to Renewal Works, the people in this group have a personal relationship with God. They’ve made a commitment to trust God with their future in this life and the next, but they are just beginning to learn what it means to be in a relationship with God.
Deepening in Life with God: According to Renewal Works, the people in this group depend on God but they see God as someone who assists them in the things that are important to their life on a daily basis; they turn to God for help and guidance for issues they face.
Life with God in the Center: According to Renewal Works, the people in this group would identify their relationship with God as the most important relationship in their entire lives. They see their lives as fully surrendered to God, subordinating everything to God’s will and desires.
Further Use of the Report at St. Mark’s, with Rector Candidates, or with the Diocese
How can we share the richness of the full report?
The full DSC report and appendices are available on the web site at https://stmarksdsc.wordpress.com/rws2014/ .
We were limited in our ability analyze the Renewal Works data and to generate more breakouts (e.g. by age) because we were only given tabulated results for each question. To protect the anonymity of respondents, Renewal Works does not provide the raw data to the parish. It is our hope that the richness of the results were appropriately captured in our report and that this will be carefully considered by our current and future leadership. We chose to publish our custom analysis and the listing of all the comments we received to present a complete picture of the data and the experience.
How will Renewal Works results (and the other comments and letter to the Vestry] affect the Profile and the Discernment and Search Process? Will candidates get the Renewal Works report?
The DSC learned a great deal from the Renewal Works experience and will carry with us as we go forward. The top candidates will get the Renewal Works report which includes a detailed description of the Renewal Works experience and the DSC take aways from the experience.
Will Diocese respond to our use of Renewal Works?
A copy of the report was sent to Joey Rick, who has not commented on it.
Further discussions of Renewal Works in the context of Discernment?
Don’t take more time on RW – Move on.
We view the Renewal Works as a starting point to our work and a great learning experience for us and our congregation. It is our hope that the and that the Renewal Works experience will be carefully considered by our current and future leadership and we have now moved on.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church Discernment and Search Committee 