Church Rater Survey # 1

The Church
What Church did you visit?

Bethel Assembly Of God

What city or town is this Church located?

Littlestown, PA

What date and service did you attend?

Sunday, February 8, 2009, 7 PM

Evaluating
How would you rate this church?



Please provide ratings based on your own experience. Yes, I realize this is subjective and your '1′ might be someone else's '5′. That's ok. It's your rating and I really want your opinion.

Rate the following from 1 to 5. 1 is not effective, 5 is very effective!
Overall: ____5_______ Friendliness _____5________ Singing ____3________ Preaching ____5_____


First Impressions
Outside: Brick and siding
Was the building easy to find? Yes

Was it difficult to find parking? No
How about the interior or exterior signage- what would you do differently?

The sign made it easy to spot and also made it easy to see who was going to be preaching.

What did the appearance, style, or construction of the building communicate to you?

The brick on the lower half of the building told me that this is a solid church with a firm foundation. It is a church that does not plan on moving. It is there for the long haul.

Before the service:
Did anyone approach you and speak to you before the service got underway? Yes
If someone did speak to you, how did you feel about that? Great! Someone noticed me and cared about me! Tammy Crist gave us a personal tour of the Children's Ministry wing and of their Intercessory Prayer rooms, which was really nice.

Can you share their names?

A greeter first approached me and I don't remember their name. In the meeting before the service I met several people: Lois Whisler from Bethel Mennonite, Jake (no last name given) from a church in Harrisburg, Kevin and Cindy Orewiler from Hanover Foursquare, and the following from Bethel A/G: Jim and Meri-Lee Ruddy, Michelle Norris, Tammy Crist, Pastor Deb, Orrin and Kathy Orewiler, Chris Abrams, Russell Hess, Michelle Norris, and Janey White-something-or-other.


Did you know them before the visit? I went through school with Chris Abrams so I knew her. Her sister, Kathy Orewiler, was there, but I didn't recognize her when I first spoke with her, so I had to go back and reintroduce myself as someone she knew.


General observations:


As you observed the people "doing their church thing", what went through your mind?

These are people who love Jesus. They felt like family to me.


Were you able to understand why they do what they do?

I believe so. They love Jesus and were worshipping in ways that felt comfortable to them.


Do they seem sincere? Yes.


What do you think about the overall presentation of the service? (the liturgy, program or flow of the service)

There was worship music, introductions, more music, further introductions, collection for Johannes somewhere in there, prayer, the message, and then the altar call. It seemed like there were a lot of introductions, which I suppose were necessary due to what had happened before the service, but it seemed a little "choppy" to me because the introductions were seperated. It also seemed choppy to me because the music was also interrupted by introductions and the offering.


Bulletin and communications:


Is there anything in the church bulletin that you find confusing or offensive?

I did not see a bulltin at all.


If this were your "business", how would you improve the communication part of it- the bulletin especially?

From having been to Bethel before, I know that they do their announcements on the big screens up front. Pastor Ruddy normally also announces different things that are happening. I do like to have a printed bulletin, though, because my short-term memory isn't so hot, and it helps to have a bulletin that I can refer back to.


Were announcements clear, and interesting (did you want to sign up for anything)?

I didn't hear or see annoncements, but because of an invitation Michael and I received, we will probably go back to take part in their intercessory prayer.


Children's Ministry

Does this church appear kid-friendly? Yes. Very much so.


Did you bring any children with you to the service? No.


If so, ask them about their experience. What did they tell you? N/A


Music and Prayer


How would you describe the music? The worship music was okay, heartfelt for some, and it was easy to follow on the screens up front, but it lacked passion.


Did you enjoy any of it? Yes. The lyrics.


Did you feel like you connected with God during any part of it? Yes, the lyrics spoke more to me than the music itself, which all sounded pretty much the same.

How was it different from what you are used to?

The worship team was all one age group. I didn't notice anyone younger. The music was all the same style and didn't reflect the heartfelt passion I'm sure the musicians and members of the church must have for Christ. Different styles of music, I think, would have the capability to touch and reach a wider base of people.

Would you enjoy worshiping like that often? No.


What did you think of the prayers that were offered in the service?

I remember that Pastor Ruddy and one of the other pastors prayed, but I couldn't tell you about what. I do remember Johannes' prayers asking God to break addictions, chains, and curses better because he was very bold in the way he prayed. I think I also remembered them because when I pray, I often ask God to break chains, break down walls, barriers, hearts, doubt and unbelief, etc. I'm just not as loud in my boldness. At least not without a microphone.

As you listened to the prayers, what did you learn about how that church might think of people, or of God?

I listened to people around me pray quietly (and sometimes loudly when encouraged to pray loudly)in support of what was being prayed at the pulpit. From that experience, I would say that they are both respectful and supportive of people. I also feel as though they believe that God is well able to do anything.


The Speaker's Presentation


Did the Pastor or speaker seem likable?

Yes. Johannes draws his audience in by making himself one of us and also by telling stories in such a way that make the listener part of the story. You're there in the story, experiencing all the little details.


Is he/she a person you might enjoy having coffee with? Why?

Yes. I would like to learn more from Johannes: how to connect better with people in ways that will be meaningful to them, so that they can see their need for Jesus; how to use stories that will connect with people and that they will remember; how to take people inside those stories.

Did he/she seem engaged/sincere/condescending?

Johannes always seems engaged and sincere (Pastor Ruddy did as well. You can tell he is a real people person.). Johannes is not at all condescending. He came from "the bottom of the barrel", so to speak, and is not at all prideful because of what God has chosen to do through him.


Were you motivated to do or think anything differently because of the talk?

Because my own personal story deals with and centers around FORGIVENESS, this is a message that is huge to me. Not forgiving places people in bondage. Most people don't even recognize that. Forgiveness is the key that opens the spiritual celldoor so that the person can walk in freedom. As far as being motivated to do or think anything different...I don't know that I would necessarily think anything differently, but I am motivated to share more my message of God's love and forgiveness.


What could they have done to make it more enjoyable or useful?

I think Johannes did a super job.


Please erase any of the following descriptors that did not apply to the talk: Enjoyable, Angry, Thought-provoking, Relevant, Gloomy, Energetic, Credible, Slow, Sad, Upbeat, Humorous, Useful, Life-changing, funny,

It had elements of all these, except for boring.


The Message


What was the main idea of the message? FORGIVENESS


What action did the speaker want you to take or consider taking?

To seek forgiveness from God through Christ; also to forgive others.


Did the talk itself (the subject matter) hold your attention? Yes


Did any part of the talk stand out to you in a positive or negative way?

The way Johannes is open with his emotions and feelings was positive in that it allows people to connect with him. The message of forgiveness sinks in and finds its mark.


What is the one thing the speaker could do that would improve his/her presentation?

I understand that Johannes likes to come down on the same level with everyone, but because I am vertically challenged and can't see over heads, there were times when I couldn't see him very well. I still think it's good that he physically puts himself on the same level as everyone else because subconsciously he is doing the same thing. I just need to get into the sanctuary sooner to find a seat where I can see.


Do you think that you particularly will remember anything that was taught?

The message content and stories, yes, but more so the importance of other things: placing yourself on an equal plane with others; connecting with people and making a positive impact for Christ; planting seeds, through story-telling, that people can take home and think about; being yourself; sharing yourself from your heart; sharing that what God has done for you, He can do for them; be led by the Holy Spirit; and finally, when God leads you to do something, don't hold back. Dare to be bold.


Do you understand God or people better because of it?

I don't know that I understand God or people in a new way, but I feel as though I understand a little better how God wants me to relate to people.


Did it make you feel like you wanted to preach someday yourself ?

I feel we all preach in some way, shape, or form every day. Sometimes it's a good message, sometimes not so good. Could I stand up in front of a crowd and preach? Yes, I believe I could. If God calls me to do that, He will also equip me. I do know that as the bride of Christ, I want to produce an abundance of spiritual children for Him, and I most definitely want them to look like their Father.