b'CONGREGATIONAL CONVICTIONSOurchurchparticipatedinasurveyoftheconvictionsofourcongregationandhowwe balance them with relational dynamics. The survey measured where we fall on a five-point scale of 1. Convictional Conservative, where conservative principles take priority; 2. Relational Conservative,wherewebalanceconservativewithrelationalvalues;3.Moderate,where relationships are valued most highly and convictions involve a conservative and progressive mix; 4. Relational Progressive, where we balance progressive convictions with relational values; and 5. Convictional Progressive, where progressive principles take priority. Convictional Survey OverviewFBC OVERALL RANKING5 4 3 2 1CONVICTIONAL RELATIONAL MODERATE RELATIONAL CONVICTIONALPROGRESSIVE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE CONSERVATIVEThe congregational survey asked questions about convictions in matters of faith, biblical beliefs, women in ministry, politics, and hot-button cultural issues in general. Responses indicated that some of our congregation fall into each of the five categories, with the smallest percentages at points 1 and 5 on the scale and the majority of the congregation at points 2-4. Overall, the survey indicated the majority of our congregation is just right of center. Ourcongregation wasoverwhelminglyaffirmativeof womeninministry,andabouthalfof survey respondents expressed an openness to the idea of a woman serving as a senior pastor in a church. A strong majority of our congregation was comfortable with some differences of opinion, both in matters of faith and politics, so long as they were free to voice their own convictions and have no negative consequences on their relationship with one another or their pastor. 15'