Survey Results Ministerial Search Committee

December 2016

This fall the Ministerial Search Committee conducted a survey of members and friends of UUSS as part of our self-study. Nearly 200 people responded to the survey, which was used to complete our Congregational Record. Below is a summary of the results followed by a link at the end to the survey responses.


One hundred ninety nine people completed the survey, the majority of whom were congregation members (83%). This represents approximately 55% of our congregation. Additional details about the demographics of survey respondents are available by viewing a pdf file of the survey responses.

This congregation and the UU faith are important to congregation members. Sixty-four percent of respondents indicated that their affiliation with this congregation was either highly or moderately important to their identity as an individual. Almost the same number (66%) said that their affiliation with UUism in general was either highly/moderately important to their identity as an individual.

There are many reasons why people choose to come to worship services. The number one reason is to celebrate common values (57%) followed by intellectual stimulation and participation in the community (39% for both). When asked to choose the three most important reasons for beginning to attend UUSchenectady, children’s’ religious education was the most common answer (52%). Three other answers commonly cited by survey respondents were community/fellowship (39%), Unitarian Universalist beliefs (32%) and celebrating common values (30%). When respondents were asked why they currently attend UUSchenectady, community/fellowship (54%) and celebrating common values (44%) and Unitarian Universalist beliefs (39%) rose to the top.

Regular attendance as either an RE teacher or a participant in services is common with 63 percent of respondents stating that they attend either three or four times a month, not including summer months. This is an active congregation with 42% of survey respondents stating that they served on a committee or council in the last year.  There are many activities that are a part of church life at UUSchenectady. Survey respondents indicated their involvement is many of these activities including congregational meetings, social action projects, governance activities, earth-centered worship services, philosophy group and Wellspring.

When asked about the most important worship objectives, building a loving community was the most common response selected (47%), followed by explore intellectual curiosity (39%) and self-reflection (28%). Survey respondents draw from many elements for spiritual growth including family/relationships (74%), the arts (music, art, writing, dance) (69%), Service to others (50%) and UU principles (42%). Our congregation members have many different religious viewpoints, but two rose to the top in the survey, when respondents were asked to choose their top two selections: “I believe that human beings are responsible for goodness and meaning and that we must rely on one another for support” (54%) and “I find support and value in the fullness and connectedness of all things, with or without God” (44%).

Survey Respondents were asked to rank their preferred style for our next minister. No style was much more prevalent than another, but facilitator, intellectual, and visionary were slightly more favored. Similarly, when asked what qualities you seek in a minister respondents did not overwhelming choose any response, which seems to indicate that we prefer a well-rounded minister.

Respondents were asked two open-ended questions. The responses were coded to capture the richness of the data and the number of respondents that felt a certain way. The first question asked “what makes a good worship service?”  One hundred fifty-six people responded. A variety of themes came up through the coding process; the five most common are discussed here. Many expressed their desires for a thought-provoking service or one that introduces new ideas (40%). For example, one respondent said that a good service “leaves you with thoughts, feelings and topics for further discussion and exploration”.  Music is highly valued by this congregation (27%). Many respondents indicated that “good music” is important in a Sunday worship service.  A cohesive theme/flow of the service was the third most common response (17%). A typical response is that, “the elements of the service are cohesive and help serve with wider theme of the sermon (music, welcoming words, prayer, etc.).” Another theme that came up frequently is an interest in fellowship/connectedness (15%). This captures respondents’ desires to feel part of a community and includes connecting to congregation members during and after the service.  One response that captures this theme is, “[The worship service] makes me feel like I belong and am part of a community”.  Almost as frequently mentioned was that a service should inspire action (14%). For example, one respondent stated that “I want to feel… inspired and armed with some type of concrete action to apply to my life in the week to come”.

The second open-ended survey question asked “are their particular concerns or ideas you would like considered as we search for a minster?” The most common response was similar to that of the previous question. Respondents most frequently mentioned the importance of a minister to deliver an engaging sermon (13%).  Another key characteristic desired in a minster is to be inclusive and open to all people (12%). Some people expressed interest in a minister who was intellectual/thought-provoking (10%), while almost as many respondents said that they wanted a minister who was spiritual or supportive of spiritual growth (8%).  Many expressed interest in having a minister like our current interim minister (10%), although it is hard to draw a conclusion from this opinion. Another common theme was the desire for a minster who is a good administrator/staff manager (9%).  Finally, several  respondents reminded the Ministerial Search Committee to remain open when selecting a minister.


Read the responses to the survey HERE.