Small Church Survey Feedback

Dr. Christine Moseley (Small Church Steering Committee, Convocation: Northern) is a layperson at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brady. After reading through the feedback surveys for our recent Small Church Gathering, she reflects on the ways in which small churches ground our members with a sense of place and belonging. Chris can be contacted at markchrismoseley@aol.com

“Surely the LORD is in this place…” Genesis 28:16

In my previous life (before retirement) as an environmental educator, I was involved in research investigating individuals’ sense of place and their place attachment to the environment. As I read through the survey comments from participants who attended the Small Church Gatherings across the Diocese, I noticed some interesting similarities to my previous research. I began to question: How do small churches contribute to an individual’s sense of place?  

Research has identified sense of place as a complex, multidimensional construct that involves much more than an attachment to a physical location in nature. It encompasses elements of four interrelated dimensions: the biophysical environment, the social and cultural context, and the political economic setting, filtered through the psychological domain (see figure).  

Sense of Place

The biophysical dimension can be a naturalistic (i.e. beach, mountain, backyard) or man-made (i.e. church, home, gym) physical environment. A sense of place situated within a political dimension (i.e. life in America, on the border, or on a military base) recognizes the importance of community and issues of social justice, freedom and power. Sociocultural factors such as memories of gatherings around Grandma’s kitchen table or family vacations include individuals’ beliefs that build on cultural experiences. Most importantly, an individual’s sense of place is constructed through the lens of the psychological dimension and involves those elements that help individuals feel connected in some way (feelings of security, safety, joy, peace, belonging).  

The Small Church Gathering survey responses reflected that our attachments to our small churches are also built around the biophysical, sociocultural, and political dimensions as seen through the lens of our personal emotions and beliefs (psychological dimension). Participants proudly described the physical features, history and traditions of their churches (i.e. stained-glass windows, columbarium, needlepoint kneelers). Multiple and diverse examples of building relationships through fellowship, outreach, and worship were repeated in all surveys.  The surveys revealed that small congregations across the Diocese host enough meals to feed an army!  However, it is not the meals that are important but the fellowship, conversations, and time together that strengthen our connections to our churches and each other.  In addition, all of the congregations reported involvement in community outreach and a sincere desire to assist their neighbors in need by hosting food pantries, meals for senior citizens, neighborhood picnics, and book drives for children, to name a few.   As individuals, we bring our personal beliefs and life experiences to our churches. Collectively, we share our cultural backgrounds and experiences with each other and our communities through activities such as hosting Bingo and Chalupa nights, Cowboy Breakfasts, Loteria card games, afternoon tea parties, and English language lessons.

Places teach us who, what, and where we are, as well as how we might live our lives. Our personal place attachments to our churches can determine the quality of our lives in our communities. Learning and caring about our churches depend on nurturing a sense of wonder about our place on Earth, an appreciation of God in all his glory, and a personal connection to church and each other.  

The word used most often by survey respondents in describing their small churches was Family. I now believe that my sense of place attachment to my church is really a sense of family – a family of love, acceptance, support and guidance.  I also believe that nurturing a sense of family among parishioners is the greatest strength of our small churches. Despite the challenges that small churches face, they play a vital role in bringing us closer to God and ultimately, strengthening our sense of faith.

Sense of place is a place where you feel you belong, a place where you are meant to be. Your sense of place is somewhere you can truly be yourself and a place where you feel happiest.