Income Survey
At the Diocesan Synod in March it was agreed that the Parish Share income survey would be run on an annual basis, rather than every third year. It was felt that doing the survey every 12 months would allow changes in individual circumstances to be reflected more accurately and would result in a Parish Share figure that congregations were more able to meet.
The Income Survey is important as it allows an assessment of congregational income, contributing to part of the process in arriving at your Parish Share figure.
Download Income Survey form
Returning the forms
Forms have to be completed for all worship centres within the parish. It is suggested that parishes try to complete the forms over three consecutive Sundays of the 14, 21 and 28 June. Parishes should return their survey forms, in unopened boxes, to the designated person in their Deanery no later than 3 July. The Deanery Standing Committee will keep and process the paperwork, returning the summary data sheets to Church House.
Thank you for your help in this important matter.
Income Survey 2009: Explanatory notes
1. Who should be asked to complete the form? All those who are aged 16 or over and attend the church at least 12 times per year.
2. How do we conduct the survey? A fundamental of the survey is that it is confidential and anonymous. A sealed box needs to be provided into which the congregation place completed survey forms.
Please remind the congregation that the form is anonymous and that no-one from the parish sees their form. They will be opened by deanery officers. However, if a person chooses to ask for help in completing the form then assistance should always be given.
3. When do we conduct the survey?
Forms have to be completed for all worship centres within the Parish. It is suggested that Parishes try to complete the forms over the three consecutive Sundays of the 14, 21 & 28 June.
Parishes should return their survey forms, in unopened boxes, to the designated person in their Deanery no later than 3rd July. The Deanery Standing Committee will keep and process the paperwork, returning the summary data sheets to Church House.
4. How do we get sufficient forms back? A response rate of 70% of your average weekly attendance is needed for the survey to be as accurate as possible. Your Deanery Standing Committee will let you know if your response rate is less than 70%.
It is recommended that, during the period of the Income Survey, the reason and method for the Income Survey is shared with the congregation. Previous experience shows that more forms will be returned if the form is given out at the start of the service and people are asked to complete them and place it in the sealed box at the end.
5. Where do we deliver the unopened boxes? Your Area Dean will notify you shortly.
Please make sure you add your Deanery, Parish name, Worship Centre and Parish Number to the bottom of the form before photocopying the survey form for congregation members. This will enable your Deanery Standing Committee to identify your forms if there are any problems.
