| Full Survey Results |
A big thank you to everyone who filled out the parish survey in July. We have now finished analysing the responses. These have provided some very interesting insights, that will be invaluable in helping guide how we develop as a church, as we enter a new, exciting period in the life of SMA.
You can find the full results in the file at the top of this page or read a summary below:
You can find the full results in the file at the top of this page or read a summary below:
- 195 people completed the survey. This probably represents the views of around 300 of us, if you take families into account.
- 65% say they come most weeks, or at least once a fortnight
- 35% have children under 19. (17% pre-school)
- 34% have no children
- 55% are aged 16-55, with 26% in the 36-45 age range
- 55% come to the 9.30 family service, 33% to the 11.15 Matins
- 47% come to church on their own
- 63% say they volunteer in some capacity or get involved in other aspects of the church beyond coming to services
- The three top reasons stated for coming to church are:
- Music (58%)
- Fellowship and community (55%)
- Developing christian faith (51%).
- 90% prefer services to remain traditional (40%) or somewhat traditional (50%)
- A majority (67%) prefer services to be formal but atmosphere to be informal
- 69% believe the choirs (professional and voluntary) are either extremely or very important. A children's choir was (almost) equally valued.
- Of things the congregation believes SMA should do more of, the top three were:
- More outreach into the community, and to build the congregation
- Developing more musical events
- More to help the homeless.
- Of qualities people are looking for in a new Vicar, the top three were:
- Friendly and a good sense of humour
- Understanding the culture of SMA (you don’t want too much change!)
- Drive, energy and ambition
- 82% would like a new incumbent to lead St Mary Abbots in a very similar (37%) or somewhat similar (45%) way to now.
- 63% of you are very satisfied with how the church is today, 31% somewhat satisfied.