Transforming Church Index Survey

By Lynn Noe, Customer Relations Coordinator

It seems we are in a time when many churches are asking themselves, “Would the community miss us if we weren’t here?”  Most church leaders would say they want to have relevant, meaningful ministries and a defined identity and purpose.  But how do you assess your church’s ability to be a transforming church?  Is it simply a matter of growing attendance or is it deeper than that?

Part of Aspen Group’s visioning process is the Transforming Church Index (TCI).  This is an online tool offered through TAG Consulting that surveys a church’s congregation on five key indicators:

• Consumerism/Community - Are we partners in ministry or are we consumers of the church’s products?
• Incongruence/Code - Do our members own the values and mission of the church?
• Autocracy/Shared Leadership - Is leadership a shared function?
• Cloister/Missional - Does our church have an inward or an outward focus?
• Inertia/Reinvention - What is our church’s capacity to embrace change?

The results of each church’s survey are then compared to national norms, backed by over 7,000 records in the TCI database.  The confidential survey asks 110 questions, each targeting one of the five key indicators plus 20 adjectives about the church.

Following are a couple sample questions. Participants answer on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being “Strongly Disagree” and 5 being “Strongly Agree”:

“My actions Influence the Church”

“My church is…friendly”

“The church cares as much about its members as it does about its programs”

“This church has a clearly defined vision of the future”

“Our leaders practice what they expect others to do”

After the surveys are complete, an assessment is made of that church’s results.  And that is where the transformation starts to happen.  One of Aspen’s Project Developers and a consultant from TAG then meet for an “unpack” with the church leaders.  This isn’t just reading the results back to the church.  This is a deep dive into each of the indicators and an open dialogue on the issues that will either hinder or support a church’s ability to grow and transform lives.

“Even if for some reason we never get around to building, the TCI and visioning process with Aspen has been life changing for our church,” said Pastor Mark Weston, from Dayspring Community Church. 

Whether you are facing some major strategic decision, trying to assess your congregation’s organizational health, dealing with conflict or unresolved issues, have transition in your leadership, or you want to develop a solid plan for growth, a TCI will provide you the assessment and the next steps for a solid, growing ministry.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like more information about the TCI and how it could help your church.