A Survey To Make You Think

Dr. K. Runia. Trowel & Sword, November 1961

Preamble: The following are the results of a survey conducted it a Presbyterian Church in 1961 and published in “Presbyterian Life”. Dr. Runia asks a very pertinent question. If this survey had been conducted in a Reformed Church back then, would the results have been any different? If this survey was conducted today, again, would the results be any different?

A Survey To Make You Think

Under this heading “Presbyterian Life”, the official organ of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, published the results of a poll held among 100 communicant members of an outer suburban Church in Melbourne. All these members received a questionnaire and were kindly requested to answer a long set of questions. The congregation includes both new and old established families, city workers and some engaged in rural occupations, and it is, therefore, regarded as a fairly representative congregation of the Presbyterian Church.

Reading this article we admired the honesty of the Presbyterian Church in publishing these figures. In some ways they are really shocking. They clearly show that in many respects, especially in regard to private and family devotions, this Church is at a very low ebb.

However, we do not quote these figures to throw stones at the Presbyterian Church. Also as a Church we have to remember the word of Jesus spoken to the Pharisees(!) who brought the adulterous woman to Him: “let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her”.(John 8:7) The only reason why we publish these figures in our magazine is that we are of the opinion that they can serve as a mirror for our own Church! What would be the result if such a poll were held in our congregation? Perhaps one of our Churches would be willing to do it. If this is so, they can write to Geelong and get the complete set of questions.

An open and honest self-criticism of another should not make us proud but humble. And it should lead us to self-criticism too! We were of the opinion that we could not join the Presbyterian Church or any other of the existing Churches in Australia and New Zealand. I, for one, still believe that this is true. Everyone among us, who is in doubt, should read and re-read Rev. Deenik’s booklet about Presbyterianism in New Zealand.

BUT WHAT DID WE MAKE OF OUR OWN CHURCHES? ARE THEY LIVING CONGREGATIONS? ARE WE LIVING MEMBERS OF THESE CONGREGATIONS? ARE OUR FAMILIES TRULY CHRISTIAN FAMILIES? These questions come to us when we read the questions and answers of this poll.

In the rest of this article we will give some of the results of the poll without any comment. The answers and figures speak for themselves. For completeness we add that of the 100  members interrogated 38 were men and 62 women, 42 were under 30,   36 between 30  and 50,  and 22 over 50.

Let us study these questions. Let us study the answers. Let us answer the questions for ourselves. Where do we stand?·

And, then, add the all-important questions, which unfortunately were missing in the questionnaire: Who is Jesus Christ for you? And who are you for Him?

K. Runia

Which of the following statements best describes your usual practice?

During the last 6 months I have attended Church:

About once a week 40

About once a fortnight 28

On average once a month 25

Once or twice only 7

During the past six months I have prayed:

Daily 30

Frequently 28

Occasionally 38

Not at all 4

No answer –

During the past six months I have read my Bible:

Daily 6

Frequently 25

Occasionally 42

Not at all 27

No answer –

Do you feel that regular worship is:

Necessary for your life 78

Helpful but not necessary 20

Rather boring –

 No answer  2

Of the story of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, which aspect would you say ·was most important for your daily life?

His teaching and commandments 72

His claim to be the Son of God 11

Both 8

Don’t know 4

No answer 5

Do you really believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead?

Yes 93

No –

Doubtful 6

If Yes – would you say this fact was:

The primary basis of 

Christianity 83

An incidental fact of the story 4

Don’t know 6

No answer 6

Do you feel that your religious beliefs mark you off from people who do not share them?

Yes 17

No 69

Doubtful 9

No answer 5

Do you say grace before meals in your family?

Yes 28

No 34

Sometimes 37

Does your family read the Bible and pray together?

Yes  2

No 81

Sometimes 14

No answer 3

If you had to choose your minister would you choose 

A brilliant organiser –

A man of great human understanding 77

An outstanding preacher –

A really spiritual man 9

All qualifications 5

Various combinations 9

Do you think your faith is something you should 

Discuss with your family 39

Discuss with other members of the congregation 10

Purely a personal and private matter 27

Both family and congregation 18

Varied answers 4

No answer 2

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