What Is the LCMS CADDS Survey?
Strengthening Healthy Lutheran Congregations Through Faithful Assessment
Every faithful congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod desires to remain steadfast in the mission Christ has entrusted to His Church. While programs, demographics, and communities may change over time, Christ’s mission remains constant: to preach repentance and the forgiveness of sins in His name, faithfully administer His Sacraments, and make disciples through His Word. Because of this, congregations benefit from periodically evaluating how they are carrying out that mission and preparing for faithful ministry in the years ahead.
One valuable resource developed for this purpose is the Congregational Assessment of Development and Decline Study (CADDS Survey). This assessment has become an important tool for many LCMS congregations seeking to understand their current ministry health while planning wisely for future opportunities. This summer, Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Lititz, Pennsylvania, is participating in the CADDS Survey, and every member household is invited to complete the survey.
The LCMS CADDS Survey
The Congregational Assessment of Development and Decline Study, commonly known as the CADDS Survey, is a congregational assessment resource designed to help churches better understand their present ministry, identify areas of strength, recognize opportunities for growth, and encourage faithful long-term planning. Rather than measuring success by attendance numbers or financial statistics alone, the survey considers the overall vitality of a congregation and its ability to carry out Christ’s mission within its local community. The CADDS Survey complements the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s ongoing emphasis on healthy congregations, faithful church revitalization, and Gospel-centered ministry. It provides church leaders with valuable feedback from the very people who experience the congregation’s worship, teaching, fellowship, mercy, and outreach each week.
Why the CADDS Survey Matters for the LCMS
The LCMS has long recognized that healthy congregations are strengthened through faithful self-examination under God’s Word. The purpose of the CADDS Survey is not to encourage churches to imitate cultural trends or pursue numerical growth for its own sake. Rather, it seeks to help congregations remain steadfast in the apostolic mission Christ has given His Church. Throughout the Synod, congregations face changing neighborhoods, aging memberships, new opportunities for outreach, and shifting demographics. Thoughtful assessment allows church leaders to make wise decisions while remaining firmly grounded in Holy Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and the faithful administration of Word and Sacrament ministry.
Why Every LCMS Family Should Participate
Every member experiences the life of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church differently. Some families have worshiped here for generations, while others have recently found a church home centered upon Christ and His gifts. Every household brings valuable insight into the life of our congregation. Your thoughtful and honest participation will assist the Strategic Planning Committee as we prayerfully evaluate our ministry. Your responses will help identify strengths to preserve, opportunities for faithful growth, and ways we can continue proclaiming Christ to future generations throughout Lancaster County and beyond.
How to Complete the CADDS Survey
The Strategic Planning Committee encourages every everyone to complete the survey. Paper copies are available in the Narthex, and members with questions are encouraged to contact the church office. The survey requires only a modest investment of time, most compete in 15-20 minutes, while providing valuable information that will serve the congregation for years to come.
Healthy Congregations Bless Their Communities
A healthy congregation exists for more than its own benefit. Christ gathers His Church so that the Gospel may continue to be proclaimed to the world. Healthy congregations faithfully preach God’s Law and Gospel, administer Christ’s Sacraments according to His institution, catechize children and adults, strengthen Christian families, and equip believers to serve their neighbors in their God-given vocations. Mount Calvary Lutheran Church desires to continue serving the Lancaster County area and all who seek a faithful Confessional Lutheran congregation where Christ remains the center of every sermon, every Bible study, every Baptism, and every celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
Faithful Strategic Planning Begins with Christ
The CADDS Survey is ultimately not about statistics or organizational management. It is about faithful stewardship of the ministry Christ has entrusted to His Church. Strategic planning becomes truly Christian when it begins with repentance, prayer, confidence in God’s Word, and trust that Christ Himself continues to build His Church. As members of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, we thank you for taking the time to complete the CADDS Survey. Your participation will help us continue proclaiming Christ crucified, faithfully administering His Sacraments, and serving our congregation and community for generations to come.
