Reveal Learnings

Back in March 2009, we took a survey called “REVEAL” to determine the strengths and weaknesses of Christ Community Church. 25 key CCC leaders then got all of the data in a 153 page document and distilled it into key learnings. The truth is, this was very long reading and many of the results were unremarkable, but there are several things worth noting. These key learnings were prayed through, grappled with, and analyzed by the Management Team and Governing Board. Below, you’ll find some of the top learnings and the action plans related to each.

As a side note, let me say thanks to the 700+ people that gave up 20-40 minutes to take the survey. Your insight and input is extraordinarily valuable. It helped move the leaders from a position of guessing what people think via relationships and anecdotes, to a place where we have real data to act upon. So thank you!

Learning 1 – “Helps me understand the Bible in depth”

The desire that was ranked the most important for CCC people is that the church would help them to understand the Bible in-depth.

The scale goes like this:
6 = Extremely Satisfied/Important
5 = Very Satisfied/Important
4 = Satisfied/Important
3 = Somewhat Satisfied
2 = Somewhat Dissatisfied
1 = Dissatisfied

On this scale, when asked “How important is it that CCC helps me understand the Bible in-depth?”, the ranking was a 5.6, or extremely important! When asked “How satisfied are you with CCC’s role in helping you understand the Bible in-depth?”, the answer was 4.5, or half-way between satisfied and very satisfied. Now, some churches might be ok with this, but the leaders see this as extremely important and would love to see the congregation “extremely satisfied”. So, where is the breakdown?

The first place to look would be Mark’s teaching. The satisfaction ratings on Mark were as follows:
Provides sound doctrine rooted in Biblical accuracy – 5.1
Preaches inspiring sermons – 5.0
Challenges congregants to grow and take next steps – 5.1
This would indicate that the average person is very satisfied. So, the teaching is considered a great strength when it comes to doctrine and the Bible.

The next place to look would be in Small Groups. Of those people in Small Groups, 64% said they were very satisfied or extremely satisfied that their group provided in-depth study of the Bible. Another 30% were satisfied.

Although classes were not ranked, there were classes offered last year to teach through the Bible, some on Sundays, others on Tuesday mornings, and Bible Study Fellowship, or “BSF”, on Thursdays. Two Sunday evening classes were taught by our local seminary professors. The options and opportunities for small group/class Bible Studies at CCC are numerous.

How about personal spiritual practices? Only 28% of our church practices daily reflection on scripture and only 27% participate in daily Bible reading. This seems to be the biggest missing element in people’s desire for Bible depth.

So, how do we increase this?
1) Offer classes that introduce people to Bible study, personal disciplines, and teach the Bible in a strong inductive format. This will model and teach what people can do at home. New classes related to this begin in the fall.
2) Teach people from the platform about Bible reading and memorization. (See “God Made You to Stick to His Word” – May 24, 2009.)
3) Help more people plug into Journey Groups.
4) Create an integrated fall series where messages, groups and personal devotions are wrapped into a single system, thereby creating incentive, momentum and simplicity in personal devotions, message excellence and small group dynamics. This series will begin August 23.

Reveal Learnings

Back in March 2009, we took a survey called “REVEAL” to determine the strengths and weaknesses of Christ Community Church. 25 key CCC leaders then got all of the data in a 153 page document and distilled it into key learnings. The truth is, this was very long reading and many of the results were unremarkable, but there are several things worth noting. These key learnings were prayed through, grappled with, and analyzed by the Management Team and Governing Board. Below, you’ll find some of the top learnings and the action plans related to each.

As a side note, let me say thanks to the 700+ people that gave up 20-40 minutes to take the survey. Your insight and input is extraordinarily valuable. It helped move the leaders from a position of guessing what people think via relationships and anecdotes, to a place where we have real data to act upon. So thank you!

Learning 1 – “Helps me understand the Bible in depth”

The desire that was ranked the most important for CCC people is that the church would help them to understand the Bible in-depth.

The scale goes like this:
6 = Extremely Satisfied/Important
5 = Very Satisfied/Important
4 = Satisfied/Important
3 = Somewhat Satisfied
2 = Somewhat Dissatisfied
1 = Dissatisfied

On this scale, when asked “How important is it that CCC helps me understand the Bible in-depth?”, the ranking was a 5.6, or extremely important! When asked “How satisfied are you with CCC’s role in helping you understand the Bible in-depth?”, the answer was 4.5, or half-way between satisfied and very satisfied. Now, some churches might be ok with this, but the leaders see this as extremely important and would love to see the congregation “extremely satisfied”. So, where is the breakdown?

The first place to look would be Mark’s teaching. The satisfaction ratings on Mark were as follows:
Provides sound doctrine rooted in Biblical accuracy – 5.1
Preaches inspiring sermons – 5.0
Challenges congregants to grow and take next steps – 5.1
This would indicate that the average person is very satisfied. So, the teaching is considered a great strength when it comes to doctrine and the Bible.

The next place to look would be in Small Groups. Of those people in Small Groups, 64% said they were very satisfied or extremely satisfied that their group provided in-depth study of the Bible. Another 30% were satisfied.

Although classes were not ranked, there were classes offered last year to teach through the Bible, some on Sundays, others on Tuesday mornings, and Bible Study Fellowship, or “BSF”, on Thursdays. Two Sunday evening classes were taught by our local seminary professors. The options and opportunities for small group/class Bible Studies at CCC are numerous.

How about personal spiritual practices? Only 28% of our church practices daily reflection on scripture and only 27% participate in daily Bible reading. This seems to be the biggest missing element in people’s desire for Bible depth.

So, how do we increase this?
1) Offer classes that introduce people to Bible study, personal disciplines, and teach the Bible in a strong inductive format. This will model and teach what people can do at home. New classes related to this begin in the fall.
2) Teach people from the platform about Bible reading and memorization. (See “God Made You to Stick to His Word” – May 24, 2009.)
3) Help more people plug into Journey Groups.
4) Create an integrated fall series where messages, groups and personal devotions are wrapped into a single system, thereby creating incentive, momentum and simplicity in personal devotions, message excellence and small group dynamics. This series will begin August 23.

We've been talking alot about racism at CCC lately.  Most of our conversation has been directed toward whites, because our church is largely white.  Racism is wrong.  It is against the principles of the Kingdom.  God loves diversity and wants to bring about reconciliation between people groups as well as between people and God.  We have been encouraged to make disciples that build relationships between ethnic lines, go to parts of the city you don't usually go, listen to other people's stories, and stay in it for the long haul.  Racism in all of its forms is wrong.

I am amazed these days that the media is so positive about a racist nominee for supreme court.  And this is not just a woman who is privately racist, but is willing to make claims of racial and gender superiority in public speeches.  In a speech at Cal-Berkeley, Judge Sotomayor said:

"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."

She repeated similar comments in other public speeches.  We would never let a white male get away with making a similar statement, so why is the media so easy on Sotomayor?  President Obama has been a staunch advocate for opposing racism.  I will pray that he takes this racist candidate off of the docket or that the Senate will disconfirm her nomination.  There has never been a less popular candidate.  Not Ginsberg, not Roberts, not Alito, not even Harriet Miers - who was pulled from being a candidate.  Today, less than half of the Americans polled in a CNN survey approve Sotomayor's candidacy...and this is with dynamic media support.  Her racism should have disqualified her by now.

People who love diversity, who love America, who stand against racism should vote against people who are publicly pro-racist.  May it be so in the Senate.

I loved the thunderstorm that hit early this morning. The sound of rain is comforting, the idea that everything is being watered is fantastic. I love a green lawn, budding flowers and the thought of fresh fruits and veggies from our garden (raspberries are ripe this week!). Thunder and lightning are God's fireworks show. He invented it even before the Chinese! Rain reminds me of cleansing... especially this week. We still had teeny bits of fireworks debris in our yard, driveway and street. But not anymore the rain washed it away! Water tables are high, rivers are full. Thunderstorms are good.

Labels: CCC, Omaha, Racism

On this day, we celebrate a great national experiement. A nation dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. One where all people can have the values of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is a great civilization and there have been hundreds of thousands who have striven to build it well.

I want to take a moment this day to thank God for the men and women who not only dreamed it up, but fought for it and died for it. I am expecially grateful for the men and women in uniform who currently protecting us in Afghanistan, Iraq, and here in the U.S. I am grateful that every morning I wake up safe, not under tyranny, able to raise my kids with freedom, worship God and speak my mind. Thanks to the soldiers, sailors, marines and others who make this possible!

And Lord, on this day, we pray for these men and women. I pray that you will keep them safe, draw near to them. May they know your presence and power as they never have in the past. May their actions be full of integrity. Protect them from mistakes or lapeses of judgement. Protect them from the evil one and evil men. Give them the grace to handle the immense pressure of war. Claim them for your own in the midst of difficult trial. Show them your steadfast love for them and help them Lord, we pray...In name of our King of kings and Lord of lords - Jesus, Amen