Download a FREE copy of the CHI using the button to the left. (Haga un clic aquí, para el Índice de la Salud de Su Congregación; ahora es una copia borrador.) You will need to read through the guide and make some photo copies of the survey questions, score cards and sheets for taking notes, before you get started.  The guide walks you through each step.   

If you prefer, you can finish your CHI survey and action plan on your computer with a “fillable” pdf form, instead of printing it out and writing your answers on paper. Click here for the online version. You should save the form to your computer before using it to keep track of your responses. 

Read below for a quick look at the whole process before starting. 

You could also start by reviewing the Congregational Wellness Pledge. The Pledge is a written statement that your congregation is committed to becoming a healthy environment for all, why you are making that promise and what you will do together. Some congregations will choose to sign the Pledge at the beginning of their wellness work and others may want to wait until they have a better sense of the actions to take to make their vision real. You will probably want to put the document in your own words too.

The CHI is meant to be flexible. Feel free to make simple changes to the CHI, as needed, but keep in mind that nutritional information and recommended amounts of physical activity should stay the same, as the CHI was created with dietitians and others with special knowledge about food and physical activity. If you make more extensive changes to the tool, it can no longer be called the CHI. Instead, please note that it is a document "based on the Congregational Health Index created by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and Community Health Partnership: Oregon's Public Health Institute."

If you do adapt the tool, please contact the authors so we can track how it is being used: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thanks!

Quick Glance at the CHI Process from A to Z

1. Review the CHI sections and planning questions so you will have a good understanding of the whole process.
2. Talk to your clergy or spiritual leader and your congregation’s governing body about the CHI and get their support.
3. Identify a Wellness Team Coordinator to lead the CHI process.
4. Recruit a Wellness Team to keep the CHI work moving along and to have a core group of people advocating for wellness.
5. Gather your Wellness Team, clergy and other leaders to tell them about the CHI – what it is and what your congregation could gain by using it.  (Check the CHI introductory meeting outline (en Español) and CHI orientation slide presentation for suggested topics to cover. You'll want to add some local obesity facts and inspiration from your own faith tradition to these samples. For information by state, see: http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2009/.) Together, plan how to move forward.
6. Complete the Assessment Questions/Check Lists on Food in Your Congregation and Physical Activity in Your Congregation, in whatever way works best for your congregation.  Just be sure to get input from your key leaders and a majority of members.  Community conversations are one of the most important parts of this process.  Note your results on the score cards.
7. Complete the planning questions and use them to choose your top priority actions.
8. Complete the Congregational Health Improvement Plan that helps you come up with steps for meeting each of your goals.
9. Make your action plan come to life!  Ideally, the Wellness Team will continue meeting to keep track of and celebrate your progress and to make sure action items get done.  The Team can also offer educational opportunities to help people adjust to and support the healthy changes at your congregation.