2013 Gallup ME2013 Gallup ME2525

Understanding the Understanding the NumbersNumbers

Our Lady of GraceOur Lady of Grace

The NumbersThe Numbers

Total surveys completed: 955 Total surveys completed: 955 (2010: 965)(2010: 965)

Top-level results: Top-level results: – Engaged: 24% (+3% from 2010)Engaged: 24% (+3% from 2010)– Not Engaged: 37% (no change)Not Engaged: 37% (no change)– Actively Disengaged: 39% (-3% from Actively Disengaged: 39% (-3% from

2010)2010) Overall positivity: 61% (+3%)Overall positivity: 61% (+3%)

But:But:

While OLOG is rather typical on While OLOG is rather typical on Spiritual Commitment (4.19 out of 5, Spiritual Commitment (4.19 out of 5, exactly what all parishes in Gallup’s exactly what all parishes in Gallup’s database average) –database average) –

It is lower in Engagement (3.21 vs. It is lower in Engagement (3.21 vs. 3.60) for one reason:3.60) for one reason:

A significant minority (about 1/3) A significant minority (about 1/3) give Engagement “1”s – from 4x to give Engagement “1”s – from 4x to 7x the rate in other Catholic parishes7x the rate in other Catholic parishes

Note the much higher percentage of “1”s in OLOG scores (top number), compared to the percentage for other Catholic parishes (middle number), or all congregations (lower number)

Conclusion:Conclusion:

A significant minority are pulling A significant minority are pulling against parish growth, for whatever against parish growth, for whatever reasonreason

This is evident in the outcomes: For This is evident in the outcomes: For instance -instance -– 35% self-report income of $75,000 or 35% self-report income of $75,000 or

moremore– Only 24% give $1,000 or more (for $75k, Only 24% give $1,000 or more (for $75k,

1.3% of income)1.3% of income)

Three Types of Parishioners

Engaged (in O.L. of Grace: 24%)Not Engaged (37%)Actively Disengaged (39%)

What does each look and act like?

Engaged ParishionersEngaged Parishioners- are loyal and have strong - are loyal and have strong psychological and emotionalpsychological and emotional connections to their church or connections to their church or parish. They are more likely to parish. They are more likely to invite friends, family members, invite friends, family members, and coworkers to congregational and coworkers to congregational events, and they give more, both events, and they give more, both financially and in commitment of financially and in commitment of time. time.

Not Engaged ParishionersNot Engaged Parishioners

- may attend regularly, but they- may attend regularly, but they do not have strong psychological do not have strong psychological or emotional connections to their or emotional connections to their congregation. These congregation. These not-engaged not-engaged folks are not negative – they like folks are not negative – they like their church!their church! They are just waiting They are just waiting for an opportunity to become engaged. for an opportunity to become engaged.

Actively Disengaged Actively Disengaged ParishionersParishioners

There are two types. The first There are two types. The first usually show up only once or twice a usually show up only once or twice a year, if at all. However, another type year, if at all. However, another type is quite regular in attendance. is quite regular in attendance. These individuals are physically These individuals are physically present but psychologically present but psychologically hostile.hostile. They are unhappy with their They are unhappy with their congregation and insist on sharing congregation and insist on sharing their misery.their misery.

Emotional ConnectionEmotional Connection

From Gallup research, people come From Gallup research, people come to, and remain with, a parish to, and remain with, a parish because of an emotional connection. because of an emotional connection. Their (implicit) needs and desires can Their (implicit) needs and desires can be summarized this way:be summarized this way:

1.1. Focus meFocus me

2.2. Help me to connect with GodHelp me to connect with God

3.3. Know meKnow me

4.4. Help me to see my valueHelp me to see my value

5.5. Care about meCare about me

6.6. Help me to growHelp me to grow

People ask of a parish…People ask of a parish…

7.7. Hear my storyHear my story

8.8. Connect me to something bigger Connect me to something bigger than myselfthan myself

9.9. Unite me with others in a common Unite me with others in a common purposepurpose

10.10. Help me to build mutual trustHelp me to build mutual trust

11.11. Help me to see where I have grownHelp me to see where I have grown

12.12. Challenge meChallenge me

People ask of a parish…People ask of a parish…

Emotional ConnectionEmotional Connection

-- These twelve key needs are exactly what -- These twelve key needs are exactly what the twelve items of the MEthe twelve items of the ME2525 are designed are designed to measure: thus -to measure: thus -

““5” on an item means, “I strongly agree that 5” on an item means, “I strongly agree that this need is met here!”this need is met here!”

This is what makes people want to be part of This is what makes people want to be part of a parish (which is engagement).a parish (which is engagement).

The Key to UnderstandingThe Key to Understanding

Offering people the opportunity to meet their felt needs

Engagement

Desired outcomes:Life satisfaction / inviting / giving / serving

Breaking the ConnectionBreaking the Connection

Gallup research indicates that it Gallup research indicates that it takes the effect of takes the effect of FOURFOUR engaged engaged parishioners to undo the damage parishioners to undo the damage caused by caused by ONEONE actively disengaged actively disengaged parishioner.parishioner.

Our ratio is not 4:1Our ratio is not 4:1 OLOG’s ratio is 0.615 to 1OLOG’s ratio is 0.615 to 1 People “follow” leaders either up (or People “follow” leaders either up (or

down) in engagementdown) in engagement

For Parish GrowthFor Parish Growth

It is easier (and smarter) to move a It is easier (and smarter) to move a “4” to a “5” than a “1” (or a “2”) to a “4” to a “5” than a “1” (or a “2”) to a “3”“3”– If you do move a “1” or a “2” to a “3”, If you do move a “1” or a “2” to a “3”,

you still have negativity. (A “3” is a you still have negativity. (A “3” is a “polite no”)“polite no”)

– ““5”s are critical for parish growth5”s are critical for parish growth.. Where have we succeeded?Where have we succeeded?

Successes:Successes:

Almost every engagement item has Almost every engagement item has seen movement from “4” to “5” – seen movement from “4” to “5” – usually about 3% overall usually about 3% overall

Note that on 11 of the 12 engagement

items, the % of “5”s has gone up.

On 6 items, the number of “4”s has

gone up – suggesting that 4s

are moving to 5, and some “3”s are

moving to 4.

Where Do We Need to Go?Where Do We Need to Go?

Focus will be on these four things:Focus will be on these four things:

1.1.Maintaining the mission of changing Maintaining the mission of changing liveslives

2.2.Growing parishioner engagementGrowing parishioner engagement

3.3.Getting all in leadership on board (to Getting all in leadership on board (to reduce the negativity shown by reduce the negativity shown by “1”s)“1”s)

4.4.Balancing the budgetBalancing the budget

Specific Focus AreasSpecific Focus Areas

We want to create a parish in which We want to create a parish in which people people strongly agreestrongly agree that - that -

In my parish I know what is expected In my parish I know what is expected of me.of me.

- And - - And - In the last month, I have received In the last month, I have received

recognition or praise from someone recognition or praise from someone in my parish. in my parish.

Help O.L. of Grace to Thrive!

Do your part for engagement: Be clear, and help others to be clear,

on what’s expected of parishioners; Be encouraging to others in your

words and actions Take to heart the encouragement

you receive, and remember it

Thank you!

… for taking the time to read and learn from this;

… for helping other parishioners to fulfill our mission:

We change lives through the Risen Christ.