12 Make-Or-Break Questions
Answering the questions below honestly can help you understand the vitality and direction of your congregation. A “Yes” to these questions indicates alignment with the characteristics of thriving congregations, while a “No” may highlight areas that require attention and improvement. Below is an explanation and additional questions to consider if there’s a need to give attention to a specific area.
12 Make-or-Break Questions for a Thriving Congregation
1. Does your congregation allocate at least one-third of its income to programs, ministries, and activities focused on people connected with the church and missional efforts?
Explanation:Allocating resources effectively is crucial for any thriving congregation. This question aims to assess whether your church is investing sufficiently in programs and activities that directly benefit your congregation and extend your mission beyond the church walls.
Additional Questions to Consider:
How is your budget structured?
Are there areas where resources could be reallocated for greater impact?
How are financial decisions made and who is involved in the process?
2. Do you have high expectations for your ministry leaders, both current and emerging, in terms of worship participation, spiritual development, and active engagement in ministry?
Explanation:Leadership is a cornerstone of any thriving congregation. High expectations for leaders in terms of worship, spiritual growth, and active ministry can set the tone for the entire congregation.
Additional Questions to Consider:
How are leaders chosen and developed?
Is there a leadership training program in place?
How are leaders held accountable?
3. Is your congregation known in the community as a place of inspiring worship that connects people to the Triune God?
Explanation:Worship is a core activity for any congregation. This question assesses whether your worship services are not just well-attended but truly inspiring and spiritually enriching.
Additional Questions to Consider:
How is the worship program developed?
Is there a variety in worship styles to cater to different preferences?
How do you measure the “success” of a worship service?
4. Can your congregation articulate the specific community context or people group you feel called by God to serve?
Explanation:Knowing your “target audience” can help your congregation be more effective in its outreach and ministry activities.
Additional Questions to Consider:
Have you conducted any community needs assessments?
How are outreach programs developed?
Is the congregation involved in choosing which communities or groups to serve?
5. Does your congregation have a clear and deeply owned understanding of its mission, measures, purpose, values, and vision?
Explanation:Clarity in mission and vision is essential for steering the congregation in a unified direction.
Additional Questions to Consider:
How often is the everyday mission and long term vision communicated to the congregation?
Are these principles integrated into various aspects of church life?
How were these foundational elements developed?
6. Does your church share a dream of what God could do in your context?
Explanation:A shared dream can serve as a powerful motivator and guide for a congregation’s activities and programs.
Additional Questions to Consider:
How is this dream communicated and shared?
Is this dream revisited and possibly revised periodically?
How does this dream align with the church’s mission and vision?
7. Does your congregation intentionally and regularly connect new people with Christ and the church community?
Explanation:New members are the lifeblood of a congregation, and a thriving church will have mechanisms for welcoming and integrating them.
Additional Questions to Consider:
Is there a newcomers’ orientation or welcome process?
How are new members encouraged to participate in church activities?
Are there any mentorship or buddy systems in place?
8. Is your church known as a place where people can easily find deep, meaningful connections and receive proactive care for their various life needs?
Explanation: A sense of community and mutual care can make a church a haven for its members.
Additional Questions to Consider:
Are there small groups or community care programs?
How does the church handle pastoral care needs?
Is there a system for identifying and addressing the needs of members?
9. Have you made a significant change in governance in the last 7 years?
Explanation: Adaptability and openness to change are signs of a vibrant, forward-looking congregation.
Additional Questions to Consider:
What prompted the change in governance?
How was this change communicated and implemented?
What have been the outcomes of this change?
10. Are all your ministries, programs, and activities aligned with your stated mission, measures, purpose, values, and vision?
Explanation: Alignment ensures that all activities and programs are pulling in the same direction and contributing to the church’s overall goals.
Additional Questions to Consider:
How often are programs and activities evaluated for alignment?
Who is responsible for ensuring alignment?
Are there any programs that need re-evaluation or discontinuation?
11. Do you have a clear discipleship process aimed at encouraging Christ-like spiritual formation?
Explanation: Discipleship is key to the spiritual growth of the congregation.
Additional Questions to Consider:
• What does the discipleship pathway look like?
• How is progress measured?
• Are there resources allocated specifically for discipleship?
12. Does your congregation have healthy systems and structures that empower people to live out their spiritual calling and work through differences in healthy ways?
Explanation: Healthy systems and structures can greatly facilitate the congregation’s mission and the spiritual growth of its members.
Additional Questions to Consider:
How are conflicts resolved within the congregation?
Are there clear channels for feedback and communication?
Is there a structure for shared decision-making?
Are you one of our Northeast Florida Baptist Family of Churches or regional partners and are interested in scheduling a one-on-one conversation with us to discuss the next steps for your faith family? Fill out the form below. During this meeting, we will delve into your survey responses, discuss any challenges you may be facing, and explore potential solutions and opportunities for growth.
**12 Make-or-Break Questions are a modified version of George Bullard’s 10 Congregational Topics for Generative Dialogue.**