What’s Broken Poll

August 21, 2006 by

What's broken in your church?Last week we asked what’s broken in your church. The responses varied, though the poor church web site got the most votes with 21%. The lack of outreach came in a close second with 19%. Then came the congregation (16%), the staff (12%), the lingo (11%) and the worship service (10%).

While the church web site is always the easy target, it does show once again that churches are continually behind the times. The lack of outreach being number comes as no surprise. Even though it’s supposed to be our purpose, it also seems to be what churches always struggle with. And I do think it’s encouraging that most people blamed the congregation before they blamed the staff. And apparently 7 churches need to pony up some cash and replace a few windows.

For the first time ever in a CMS poll we offered a write-in option last week. Some of the responses included Sunday School, fellowship, vision, priorities, the logo, the building–and my favorite–bread (get it?). That was kind of fun, so we’ll see if we can do it again sometime.

This week we ask about the importance of the ubiquitous church bulletin.

Post By:

Kevin D. Hendricks


When Kevin isn't busy as the editor of Church Marketing Sucks, he runs his own writing and editing company, Monkey Outta Nowhere. Kevin has been blogging since 1998, runs the hyperlocal site West St. Paul Reader, and has published several books, including 137 Books in One Year: How to Fall in Love With Reading, The Stephanies and all of our church communication books.
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3 Responses to “What’s Broken Poll”

  • Fernando's Desk
    August 21, 2006

    Broken Churches, Broken Theology

    Mary Hess (Tensegrities) made a very interesting comment here recently,
    …historical theology has far too narrowly conceived what we mean by theology, and in doing so cut huge numbers of people out of the conversation.
    I think Mary is right. …


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  • David Wakerley
    August 23, 2006

    No option for don’t have a church bulletin, or do something different?


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  • brad
    August 25, 2006

    Of course the website’s going to get big marks! Your market on this blog is communications creatives, and it’s the only communications tool listed. In fact, “website” and “outreach” shouldn’t be separate items in this particular case. Let’s not put too much significance on the results of this poll.


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