Not only did team members rely on the quantitative data from the survey, a small collaborative group involving team members and CBF staff read all of the individual responses to the survey’s two “open ended” questions. Those personal responses were coded with attention to repeated themes and ideas, and the results of that analysis were also provided to the Discovery Team.

The team coding the survey free response data was led by a professional with job-related experience coding qualitative data. The team developed major categories and subcategories that complemented the larger thematic category of response.

The Discovery Team used data from the free response report for two of the five questions, namely the most urgent needs of congregations and the most urgent needs of CBF.

The two free response survey questions are listed below, along with links to data tables that show results for those questions. For clarity, the data tables show only those answers that garnered responses of more than 10% of those who answered the question. There were certainly many other responses coded, each read by the team, but the answers were spread over a much larger number of theme categories, and therefore were a lower percentage of the total. The items listed are those that repeated or resonated the most.

Question 6: How can CBF most help your church thrive?
2,454 participants of 4,618 responded to this question. Click here to see the data for themes that garnered 10% or more of total responses to the question.

Question 28: How can the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship better serve you and your congregation?
2,001 participants of 4,618 responded to this question. Click here to see the data for answer themes that reflect 10% or more of total responses to the question.