At our Mornington Church we have a small but quite active youth group which has been named Y@M (Youth at Mornington). Under the leadership of Ginny Kitchingman they recently ran a questionnaire among the congregation asking a range of questions about Faith, Bible, Church-going etc etc. A few Sundays ago they presented a summary of the results in the course of a service.
Many of these answers are significant, and it seems worthwhile for us to post the full summary of results on the website under the headingt "We wanted to Know."
Thanks to Ginny and the Y@M group..

 

 

24 people completed the questionnaire: 12 male and 12 female. 

Their ages ranged from 42 to 77, with an average age of 63.

 

 

How long have you been going to church?

24 responses

	Number of responses
All my life	16
Since a child	2
All my life (with a gap)	1
More than 20 years	1
10-20 years	3
5 years (plus 35 earlier in life)	1

Everyone who completed the questionnaire had been going to church for a considerable length of time!

 

 

Is there a purpose for you going to church?

22 responses.  8 people simply replied ÒyesÓ. 

Of the 14 who gave more detail, the following aspects were mentioned.

	Number of responses
Fellowship, meeting with others who have similar feelings about God and life	7
Worship	6
New ideas, thinking about how to live	4
Spiritual nurture	2
An important part of my life	2

 

 

Do you enjoy going to church?

24 responses.

	Number of responses
Very much	2
Yes	14
Usually	7
Sometimes	1

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you enjoy about it?

24 responses.

	Number of responses
Friendly, like-minded people	15
Music	12
Mental stimulation, learning, thinking about important issues, seeking direction	9
Being part of a community, sense of belonging	5
Sermon	4
Quiet, peace	3
Fun, energy	3
Worship, renewal	3
Children	2
Values, attitudes	2
Whole atmosphere	1

 

 

If you donÕt enjoy it, why do you come?

3 people mentioned a sense of responsibility, having made a commitment.

 

 

Why are you a Christian?

23 responses.

	Number of responses
Jesus as great teacher and role model	10
Upbringing	6
Both upbringing and model of Jesus	6
ÒGod made me to need GodÓ	1

 

 

Why are you a Methodist?

24 responses

	Number of responses
Upbringing, family connection, marriage	14
Because I like Mornington Methodist	4
Convenience (closest church)	3
Philosophy of social concern	3
Open theology	2
IÕm not – IÕm a Presbyterian!	2
Singing	1
Ability to contribute talents	1
Happy people	1

 

Why do you come to Mornington Methodist?

24 responses.

	Number of responses
Friendly, caring people	13
Open theology, spiritual space	9
Convenience (closest Methodist church)	7
Music	6
Fun, lively, creative	4
Inclusive, accepting	2
Strong on justice and social responsibility	2
Modern building	2
One of the best churches, my favourite	2
God placed us here	1
Sermons	1

 

 

Have you been baptised?

24 responses.

	Number of responses
Yes	22
No	1
DonÕt know	1

 

 

When were you baptised?

21 responses.

	Number of responses
As a baby	17
18-20 years old	3
43 years old	1

 

 

Do you remember it?

21 respomses.

	Number of responses
No	17
Yes	4

 

 

Did you get a present?

Many people couldnÕt remember.  Several mentioned certificates.  Presents that were named were: a silver cup, a silver serviette ring, a silver baby spoon, a Bible, a spoon, afternoon tea, and Everlasting Life in Heaven.

 

 

Have there been times in your life when the church has been helpful to you?

24 responses.  10 people simply replied ÒyesÓ, and 3 said ÒoftenÓ.

Of the 11 people who gave more detail, the following were mentioned:

	Number of responses
Times of stress, sickness, or loss	8
As a teenager	2
Allowing me to express my personality and gifts	1

 

 

Have there been times when it wasnÕt helpful?

21 responses.  10 people simply replied ÒyesÓ, and 3 said ÒnoÓ.

Of the 8 people who gave more detail, the following were mentioned:

	Number of responses
Difficulty with some decisions in the church, politics, controversies	5
Too demanding, too many responsibilities asked	2
When the service is not relevant	1

 

 

Have there been any special people or events in your life that had a big effect on what you think about the church?

24 responses.  3 people simply replied ÒyesÓ, and 6 said ÒmanyÓ.

Of the 15 people who gave more detail, the following were mentioned:

	Number of responses
People
Parents	6
Other relatives	4
Ministers	6
Sunday School or Bible Class teachers	5
Friends	3
Headmaster	1
Jesus	1
Writers	1
Church groups – MWF, choir, church union, youth groups, young mothersÕ group	7
Events
Youth Conference	1
Wedding	1
Death	1
Easter Passion play	1
Time Overseas	1

 

What do you think happens when you pray?

20 responses.  In general, the responses could be summarised as follows:

	Number of responses
I think seriously, meditate	12
I have a conversation with God	6
Both of these	1
A wonderful peace comes over me	1

 

The responses were all quite individual and therefore I have included them verbatim below (in no particular order).

 

You think about what is happening and hope to resolve problems, or thank God for the good things.

 

Prayer helps me to focus on the needs of others.  I never expect God to do all the work.

 

I and the congregation around me focus on particular needs – we may act later because of it – I donÕt believe my prayers get God to act as he/she might otherwise not do.  ItÕs like getting in tune with GodÕs harmony.

 

I think about what is important, prioritise, try to be open to alternative solutions.

 

Essentially meditation, which has itÕs own beneficial if indefinable effects.

 

A time of meditation, when you can pray and think about things, and sort out your ideas, and sometimes find an answer.  It is important to have some time to contemplate and think beyond yourself.  I havenÕt put God into these answers – mainly because I donÕt know.  But I think we have to do some of GodÕs work ourselves.

 

I hope that God hears me and answers my prayer.

 

God listens then I feel his answering either in my head (my own voice) or by deeds happening.

 

I am with God.

 

Prayer is an attitude.

 

I talk to God or Jesus and believe this is very effective in my life and sometimes is the only thing I can do for other people.  Our thoughts can have a positive effect in the world.

 

I enter into conversation with God.

 

It concentrates your mind on things that need attention.

 

I think seriously.

 

I donÕt know.  I think it helps us to think about things and accept some hard things better.  It helps us realise we are not the main person in control.

 

We think about ourselves, situation, past, future, mistakes, opportunities, and seek communication with GodÕs spirit.

 

God hears, but I donÕt know how.  Have a feeling the Holy Spirit comes in here.

 

A wonderful peace comes over me.

 

It makes me collect my thoughts, consider what I want to pray about.

 

Just a way of Òsorting things outÓ in your head – of stepping back from a situation and thinking objectively.  A way of ÒunloadingÓ and moving on.

Do you think the Bible is useful?

22 responses.  9 people simply replied ÒyesÓ.

Of the 13 people who gave more detail the responses could be summarised as:

	Number of responses
A relevant guidebook for life	6
Yes, butÉ	7

 

Those responses are provided here:

 

It has much between its covers.

 

I always keep a Bible by my bed.

 

Excellent background for life, then and today.

 

Useful because I learn there of the history and ancient beliefs of the Hebrews and early church; best because I can meet Christ there.

 

I believe it is real – not just metaphor.

 

ItÕs like a guidebook showing us about the journey of many many people in understanding ideas about God.

 

Some of it – particularly in the New Testament.

 

Yes, but needs to be assessed historically and wisely.

 

There is some inspiration in it, but I think it is very harmful at the same time.

 

When understood with an up-to-date commentary.

 

Lots of good stories and history, but some potentially damaging bits.

 

Yes, but not to the point of describing it as the Word of God.  For me, however, it comes close to being the God of Word – continues to provide a powerful seeding of creative thought and action.

 

As history, source of wisdom and truth, but not infallible.

 

 

Do you have any favourite stories from the Bible?

21 responses.  3 people simply replied ÒyesÓ, and 2 said ÒnoÓ.

6 people said they liked the stories from and about Jesus, and 3 mentioned the ancient myths and creation stories.  Specific stories that were named were: the prodigal son (3), the workers in the vineyard (2), Ruth (2), Jacob wrestling with God, the persistent woman, the good Samaritan, the mustard seed, the log in the eye, feeding the multitude, Jesus gathering the children, and the ÒKingdom is likeÉÓ stories.

What was so special about Jesus?

20 responses.  In general the responses can be summarised as:

	Number of responses
How he lived, his love for others	16
His special relationship with God	5

Individual responses are given below, in no particular orderÉ

 

I believe he was sent from God to teach us about God, and how to love all people.

 

A very special man of love and goodness.

 

Light of the World.

 

He showed passion.  Gave his life for us as a parent would for a child.  Half man born from God.

 

He taught love.

 

Am working on this!

 

Teaching, leadership.

 

Personifies a supreme flowering of the human spirit.

 

He was such a very loving person to everyone.

 

Really cared about all people.  Radical ideas about what is fair, and what God is like.

 

What he taught and how he lived in relation to other people.

 

He demonstrated in his own life and teaching that love, not power, was the way to go.

 

He showed us a better way of living and helping other people.

 

Had a connection with people at all levels.  Willing to Òbuck the systemÓ.  Stood up for what he believed in no matter what.

 

He loved everyone and especially the poor, weak, children.

 

Kindness, healing, suffering for and with obedience, intellect, insight, etc, etc.

 

His identity with the Spirit Creator God.

 

He rose from death.

 

Special relationship with God that enabled him to live an exemplary life.

 

He showed amazing love and courage and healing power.

 

 

 

 

What do you think about other religions?

23 responses.  Aspects that were mentioned can be summarised as:

	Number of responses
Should be respected	10
Similar threads run through them	8
Interesting – want to learn more	8
Some concerns	5

Individual responses are given below, in no particular orderÉ

All cousins of the one family.

 

I think we need to learn about them and respect other peopleÕs beliefs – but they are not for me.

 

They are necessary as every person in this world should have the right to freely worship as he/she sees fit.

 

Very interested in learning about other faiths/religions as all have an important place in our world.

 

They are interrelated, same ÒthreadÓ running through them.  Each is right for those believing in them – no one really knows the ÒtruthÓ.

 

I find them very interesting and appreciate learning more about them.  Many good sincere people in each religion.

 

They have their good and bad points so we can learn from them.

 

They all share in the truth.

 

When you find out about the main things they believe and teach, theyÕre not too different from each other.

 

They all have merits and some wisdom, but few are as complete and satisfactory as Christianity.

 

Be respectful.  DonÕt dabble in non God driven beliefs. 

 

They have their good points.

 

All religions have a place and deserve respect.

 

We are fortunate today in having a much greater understanding of other religions.  I feel more comfortable with those who worship one Supreme Being.  I am not so sure of those that preach violence to those who donÕt follow their way.

 

They seem to have some similarities to Bible stories and history, advocated better ways of living.

 

There are many paths to God and all should be respected.

 

I value and deeply respect their faith.  I am intrigued by our differences and our common beliefs.

 

Mostly seem on a similar track.  It is when one thinks they are the best that problems start.  I do have a problem with religions (including many manifestations of Christianity) that are very rigid and dogmatic and impose limitations on particular groups of people (such as women).

 

I have some very special Roman Catholic friends, but I donÕt really understand their religion.

 

They are like other languages – I may not be able to understand them much or at all, but I recognise them as having the same validity, cosy familiarity and ultimate meaning for their speakers as my tongue (Christianity) has for its speakers.

 

Interested to find out and understand.

 

Should be respected.

 

I support people to follow whatever religion, providing it teaches love and respect for yourself and fellow beings.