Communications Survey Results Available

In April of 2007 we requested parishes contribute to an on
line survey of internal and external communication practices. (The survey is still active so if you would like to contribute click here.)

At the time of writing (mid July ’07) this article only 16 submissions (from either clergy or laity) had been received. As a result, the survey’s insight may be less than compelling.

Nonetheless we thought it appropriate to share the results with anyone who would like to view them. To see a summary of results click here. We also combed through the results looking for potentially useful (though statistically suspect) nuggets.

Internal Communication Practices

With respect to internal communication practices, not
surprisingly respondents indicate that a Sunday Bulletin is the most often used
internal communication tool, followed by a Parish directory, a (paper) Monthly
calendar passed out in Church and parish council meeting summaries distributed via
email or bulletin boards.

Though not quite as popular two thirds of respondents
indicate their parishes use Email from priest (or appropriate parish leader) to
regularly communicate with parishioners.   One third of respondents use a parish photo
board to help people learn new faces.

In response to the question “What practice is most
valuable?” we heard a variety of responses with a reasonable number mentioning
email or online info from parish websites.

"Growing" vs "Non-Growing" - Internal

The following items were used to a materially greater degree
by parishes that answered yes to “Are you growing numerically?” vs. those who
answered no.

• Parish Phone or email tree 75% (growing) vs. 25%
• Prayer chain – email or phone 62% vs. 0%.
• Email blasts (100% vs. 50%)
  
• Regular parish council discussions on key parish
  topics (62% vs. 25%)
• Annual leadership retreats for parish council and
  a Ministries chart or brochure (50% vs. 25%)

External Communication Practices

In the external communication category the two most
prominent tools are not surprisingly: a sign outside the church (93%) and the
listing on www.OCA.org. (93%) This is followed by a parish website (86%) and parishioners
bringing friends to church (86%). Interestingly 79% of respondents cited
“Community charitable outreach activities (done primarily for charitable purposes
but which inevitably ‘get your name out there") as part of their communication
practices.

On the other end of the spectrum, between 20-30% of
respondent parishes:

• Have newspaper ads (no doubt being replaced by
  web sites/searches).  Approximately two
  in three indicated a yellow pages ad.

• Use parish facilities as community center --
  host 12 step programs, ESL classes, food distribution, daycare etc.

• Distribute flyers or other communications
  about the parish in the neighborhood

• Membership in local clergy associations (including
  non-Orthodox)

As for most valuable practices: web sites, parishioners
bringing friends to church and community
involvement were cited often.

Differences from Growing and Non Growing - External

A potentially interesting difference between respondents from
growing and not growing parishes was that almost 40% of “growers”  were
actively using Inquirers classes” while none of the “non-growers” used that practice.