STRATEGIC PLANNING UPDATE

April 27, 2025

As Phase 1 finished we wanted to share the survey results and recommendations with the congregation. Over 50 members attended a lunch hosted by our consulting group to hear results and discuss ideas and inspirations. If you missed the luncheon, here is a summary of the survey results and there is a link above to the full slideshow presented.

 

·      The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection “LCR” partnered with a church consulting firm, Convergence, for a Strategic Assessment and Plan. Convergence has broad and deep experience assisting congregations across America.

 

·      As part of this effort a survey of LCR members was completed in the 4^th quarter of 2024. Information about LCR’s attendance, programs and finances has also been shared with Convergence. Convergence has also used demographic information from public sources as well as a church demographic survey.

 

·      LCR has approximately 650 members, with two weekly worship services averaging about 200 attendees. LCR has a significant on-line presence with 355 subscribers to its YouTube channel with about 100 views of its worship services online in a typical week. In-church attendance declined following the pandemic. The church added 58 new members in 2023, but of new membership declined in 2024.

 

·      162 people responded to the congregational survey. We learned:

 

o  Over 100 people participate in other activities at LCR each month such as:

§ Music rehearsals

§ The Gathering Inn

§ Men’s and women’s get togethers

§ Sunday School and Confirmation

§ Youth Group 

 

o  47% perceived the congregation as staying the same size, 29% as shrinking, 24% as growing.

 

o  Survey respondents were predominantly over age 65, with 35% working-age adults. LCR draws members from a wide geographic area from Lincoln in the North and Roseville/Rocklin to the West.   Members live further from the church than in typical congregations with 69% live 4+ miles away from the church.

 

o  Over 90% of respondents felt LCR has:

§ A clear mission

§ Strong beliefs

§ Supports vibrant ministries

 

o  Over 80% thought the church:

§ Has engaging and meaningful worship services

§ Is a source of learning for youth and children

§ Successfully engages people of all ages

§ Builds relationships among members

§ Is like a close-knit family

 

o  79% are excited about the church's future

 

 

·      Neighborhood Insights: 

 

o  Neighbors close to the church are predominantly white, highly educated, and relatively high-income. There is greater racial and income diversity in the wider community that LCR serves within 10+ miles of LCR

 

o  Survey respondents reported significant volunteer hours both within the church and the community

 

o  LCR is engages with the community helping to address the needs such as:

§ Support for the homeless

§ Helping to address food insecurity

§ Elder care

 

·      Members of the LCR Planning Team interviewed dozens of local community leaders from other not-for-profit organizations, government, education and business. The interviewees suggested that LCR can grow its connection to the community by:

 

o  Growing the use of LCR’s facility in support of local needs

o  Volunteering in support of other not-for-profits

o  Partnering with local education

o  Continuing to promote values of inclusivity and justice

o  Addressing the needs of the aging

o  Supporting the needs of the less fortunate

 

·      The church's finances are perceived as tight but manageable despite a decline in giving during the pandemic and post-pandemic.

 

·      Initial recommendations resulting from the survey and interviews include: 

 

o  Focus on spiritual growth

o  Engage newer voices

o  Streamline governance

o  Build a readiness to change

o  Encourage additional giving

o  Explore leveraging LCR’s facilities for greater community impact