A Brief Questionnaire About Shared Pastoral Ministry
NOTE: This questionnaire was distributed to members of Park Road Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC, when Russ and Amy Jacks Dean were approaching their one-year anniversary as the church’s co-pastors. The survey was conducted as part of an evaluation process, led by the pastors, which also included a “focus group meeting” with some of the church’s leaders. The purpose of the evaluation was to analyze shared pastoral ministry as a model for leadership at Park Road Baptist. The content of the focus group is also available from the “Articles and Resources” link on the website.
1. What was your initial reaction when you learned that your Search Committee was talking to a couple about practicing Shared Pastoral Ministry (SPM) at Park Road Baptist?
(2) confused; (4) indifferent; (47) excited; (2) anxious
2. Had you ever heard of a married couple sharing the pastorate a church, before Amy and Russ were called to PRBC?
(18) Yes; (38) No
3. Did you have an adequate understanding of SPM when Amy and Russ arrived?
(0) No. I was anxious about this form of leadership.
(21) I had some questions, but was convinced that PRBC should give this a try.
(36) Yes. I was excited about SPM by the time they arrived.
4. What convinced you of the value and legitimacy of SPM?
(38) Information that the Search Committee published/ presentations they made before
Amy and Russ arrived.
(22) Conversations with Amy and Russ before they arrived.
(7) I was not convinced until I was able to observe SPM.
(0) I am still not convinced.
5. How has your attitude changed in the last 11 months?
(2) Still have some concerns.
(11) SPM or Traditional Leadership would be fine.
(43) I am convinced of the benefits of SPM as a leadership model for the church.
6. What do you perceive as the benefits of SPM?
(31) Two for the price of one! (Getting more “work” done than one person can
accomplish alone.)
(47) Variety in preaching styles.
(38) Differentiation in leadership abilities.
(38) Breaking-down gender stereotypes.
(36) Puts our church on the “leading edge” of a new form of ministry.
(2) Other: ________________________________________
7. What do you perceive as the weaknesses of SPM?
(5) Confusion: who’s really “in charge”?
(5) Potential conflicts within the church if the Pastors ever disagree
(14) Potential for increased Pastoral burnout
(6) Negative perception from other churches.
(1) Other: ________________________________________
(21) This was not an option, but (21) people wrote-in, “None”
8. Does SPM “work” at PRBC only because Amy’s and Russ’s personalities match well with our church, or does SPM “work” because SPM itself is a viable leadership model for the 21st century Church?
(33) Our personalities match
(39) I believe SPM is a viable option
(20) This was not an option, but (20) people wrote-in, “Both”
9. Would SPM “work” in other churches?
(0) none; (37) some; (14) most; (0) all
10. If a friend of yours was serving on the Search Committee at her/his church which was also considering SPM, how what advice would you give?
(0) Advise against SPM
(8) Proceed with caution
(48) Highly recommend SPM
Thanks for taking the time to respond!