Survey Guide: Discerning the Values of St. Stephen’s UMC

The Outreach Task Force will be requesting input from the entire congregation to help determine and guide our outreach priorities for 2025. This is a process of discernment, so please take your time and reflect thoughtfully. Be patient and ask God for guidance with this process. Your answers may not be immediately obvious or top-of-mind, and there are no wrong or right answers. 

Soon you will receive access to a Survey which can be taken online, on paper, and via email. You will be asked to consider the following:

Please reflect on the positive experiences that you have had within the church (preferably at St. Stephen’s UMC, but experiences from elsewhere are also welcome). Identify one or two stories that show the congregation at its best.

Based on the stories you identified, determine the top two values or principles that guide the church and that you see as the core of the church’s identity. 

You can do this individually or communally (with family and friends, or as a small group). Consider the following: What made the church its best? Where have you seen glimpses of God’s kingdom? What made your heart feel “strangely warmed” as John Wesley once said? 

• If done communally, take turns sharing your stories with the group, including the observation questions noted above. After each person shares, collectively discern the core values from that person’s stories. Once finished, the next person shares their stories, and the process repeats until everyone has had a turn.
• If done individually, take a moment to write down your stories. From your written reflection, carefully discern two core values or principles.

Here are some sample values and principles. You may also come up with others.

Inclusiveness | Evangelism | Respect | Equality

Justice | Seeking Friendship | Compassion | Hospitality

Openness | Worship | Earth Care | Racial Justice

Reconciliation | Education | Serving the Poor | Spiritual Growth

Diversity | Discipleship | Stewardship | Family

Example: Discerning the Values of St. Stephen’s UMC

Step 1: Stevie reflected and identified two stories from his life at St. Stephen’s that he thought showed the congregation at its best. 

His first highlight was when Manger Ministry first began at St. Stephen’s. Not only did Stevie see the congregation giving sacrificially during the Christmas season so that people with no home could be housed, but he also had an opportunity to get to know the people being sponsored by Manger Ministry. Stevie got to know individuals in different socioeconomic situations and learned about their barriers to stable housing. What was special about this memory was seeing his church’s willingness to reach out to others different from themselves and to try to understand their circumstances. The church’s willingness reminded him of the stories of Jesus who shared meals with outsiders. 

His second highlight was when St. Stephen’s youth ministry held its own worship service on Sunday evenings. As an adult, Stevie participated regularly in the youth worship, which was led by students serving in various capacities, such as playing in the worship band, being a liturgist, and more. While the presentation itself was not perfect, its imperfection reminded Stevie of God’s grace, which uses imperfect people to create something beautiful. What was special about this memory was witnessing the intimacy of God’s love, which built real connections among youths and other worshipers of all ages.

Step 2: Upon sharing his two stories, Stevie thought carefully about the common themes or values revealed in his experiences. One story was about his experience in outreach, while the other was about his experience in worship. What was common in both stories was his appreciation for opportunities to build authentic relationships with those outside of his socioeconomic class or age group. He loved that his church offered spaces to share God’s love where unlikely relationships could be built and fostered. Based on this reflection, Stevie identified two values: inclusivity and relational ministry.