Contents Up one level Hi-jacked? A Test for Renewal Analysis        

By John Cole

 

Testing for Renewal

Try this quiz and see whether you recognise your local church!

Do it on your own, or share it with other church members. All the questions ask for your impression of what the rest of the congregation thinks, i.e. not necessarily your own opinion.

The results will therefore be highly subjective and probably ought not to be taken too seriously! Nevertheless there will certainly be lessons to be learned.

For each question, tick ONE answer which seems the most appropriate - even if it is not in language that you would normally use - and score points as indicated.

To assess your results:

Add together your scores for each of the four questions (minimum 4 and maximum 20) and click here for an analysis. When a group of people attempt this quiz, note how many people’s individual scores fall in the various bands on the analysis scale. Base your assessment on the majority verdict.

1Do members of the congregation see themselves primarily as:

a) Local people who attend church (score 1 )

b) The Vicar/minister's supporters (score 3)

c) People chosen out of the locality to be the people of God (score 4)

d) Part of a wider fellowship of disciples called to serve in this locality (score 5)

2Do members of the congregation understand ‘church’ to mean primarily:

a) The church building - and they are its custodians (score 1 )

b) The Vicar/minister - as in the phrase ‘going into the church’ (score 2)

c) The ecclesiastical institution - Bishops, central councils, synods etc (score 2)

d) Themselves - making them different from their neighbours (score 4)

e) A world-wide fellowship of disciples of Jesus Christ (score 5)

f) A theological ideal to which all local churches approximate (score 5)

3How do members of the congregation understand ‘ministry’?

a) We only need a minister for services and for weddings and funerals (score 1 )

b) We are those who are ministered to (score 2)

c) We help the Vicar in his ministry (score 3)

d) We share in ministry with the Vicar (score 4)

e) The Vicar/priest/minister enables us to exercise our ministry (score 5)

4How does your local church fellowship derive the bulk of its income?

a) Public appeals to maintain the building (score 1 )

b) Fund-raising events involving members of the congregation (score 2)

c) Regular giving schemes (weekly envelopes etc) (score 3)

d) Regular, stewardly and costly giving by members of the congregation out of gratitude to God (score 5)

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