Communities in Need Questionaire and Survey

[98cwitr]

So I'm trying to put together a survey to gather data on our neighboring communities around the church to assess their immediate needs and how they're prioritizing things currently. I've got a few questions in mind, but wanted to reach other to other Baptists to see if your church has done anything similar and to see what questions y'all think would be worth asking. We are not going in assuming that folks are living in poverty, but based on the economic demographics, one could readily assume these folks are cost-burdened beyond 30% for housing.

Upon collecting the data and doing some analysis, we could better help our neighbors more efficiently.

What questions should we ask?
What questions SHOULDN'T we ask?

 

[drjean]

I spent a lot of time as a Baptist...can I share some thoughts?

I'd first survey the congregation. See what needs they have (give them some ideas/choices ---food, transportation to doctor appt, babysitting in emergency, ) and I'd also query them about what they liked about the church/congregation!

I'm a citizen emergency responder and trained highly in disasters/preparedness etc... yet when I went through Hurricane Andrew and lost "everything" when someone came to ask how they could help, I had no clue. There I was living in a screen house tent in my front yard for 3 weeks...and I didn't have any answer.

So I wouldn't ask how... I'd ask specific questions/list needs they can just check off... even basic ones like for the congregation... and of course, add in PRAYER! People are more able to help others when they are in a good place themselves.

You might have some in the congregation offer to be a contact person for individuals ... limited to what they agree to...or a resource person who has a list of agencies that can provide helps (though many cities have a 311 or 511 number to call... you want them calling the church right?)

Your surveyers might be advised to look about the yard, for instance, and if you have people who are willing to do manual labor... say something like it looks like you might need someone to mow your yard this week... did someone forget to help you with this... or... that front window looks like a rock went through it, is that a problem for you? Or, your children are really happy and bouncy --do you ever need a break for yourself? (Just suggestions to get you thinking for your own scenario.)

The act of asking and follow-through will do wonders! Don't chomp off more than you can chew. Maybe just drive through a neighborhood, pick a house you think you can help at, and do that one. The good news will spread... and grow as your ministry grows. God bless you in your endeavor.

 

[98cwitr]

Asking the congregation is a pretty decent idea, but it's a bit well-to-do set of folks. They're good people though, but we need direction on how to outreach and help.

We have some rather large apartment complexes in our immediate vicinity, so I thought we could tackle those first. Thanks for the post!

 

[HantsUK]

Have a look at something that churches in two areas in England have used to identify needs within their communities. But this might be too difficult for an individual church.

https://www.whocareshampshire.org/ (churches in Hampshire, mostly North)
and
https://www.who-cares.org.uk/ (East Anglia, where the idea originated).

People were asked the simple open ended question: What hurts the most?

People are given a card with the question and space for an answer on one side, and a brief explanation on the other, including the telephone number for Premier Lifeline*. Boxes for male/female and broad ages ranges (but this is optional).

Responses are anonymous, and processed centrally.

Results for Hampshire:
https://www.whocareshampshire.org/what-did-we-find/

* Premier Lifeline
http://www.premierlifeline.org.uk/

Adding:
In my church, we gave out cards to everyone on a Sunday, and also to all those attending midweek activities - many/most of whom are non-Christians.

 

[drjean]

Asking the congregation is a pretty decent idea, but it's a bit well-to-do set of folks. They're good people though, but we need direction on how to outreach and help.

We have some rather large apartment complexes in our immediate vicinity, so I thought we could tackle those first. Thanks for the post!

Yes, their type of "giving" might very well be different than what say a poor country church group might do... but you can think of ways... like keeping a large Food Closet stocked for the needy who might come by... or providing the funds for nice flyers to go out to the neighborhood ...sharing the church info... just trying to think out of the box...