Around this time of the semester, college students all over the country are studying, cramming and procrastinating through their midterms, projects, and presentations. As much as we don’t enjoy it, tests are given as a way to evaluate our understanding and progress. They are a helpful tool as the professor must decide what needs to be changed (or what is working) so that the students can get the best and most effective education.
In much the same way, it is important for us to regularly and intentionally evaluate our ministries. By taking time to “score” our ministry helps us understand which areas need improvement and which areas we are excelling at. Sometimes, evaluation helps us see our blind spots or helps us start dreaming in an area we might have otherwise forgotten about. Evaluations usually come at the end of a season, but I believe checking progress in the middle gives us opportunity to implement quick (but sometimes powerful) changes now and enable us to finish well.
I have gathered some questions that will help you and your leadership team evaluate effectively. We wanted to ask questions that would get to the heart of your ministry and not just the external appearances. We have borrowed this exercise from CRU and adapted some of their questions. Take time with each one and answer honestly. This is meant to be a tool to help grow your group stronger and healthier!
Evaluate Direction
-If we can continue in the same direction, where will we be next semester? Next year?
-Are we putting our efforts into the most important things?
-Do we have a healthy momentum building?
Evaluate Health
-Do students enjoy coming to your BASIC group and participate regularly?
-Are students spontaneously initiating outreach? Is there a desire to know God better?
-About how many students would you estimate have a regular quiet/reading time?
Evaluate Growth
-Has the number of students involved grown over the semester/year?
-Do students commit and attend BASIC regularly?
-How many students participate in missions trip/outreach/BASICCON?
-Are we reaching new and different groups on our campus? (International, Sports, Greek Life)
-How many of each class is involved? (Fresh, Soph, Junior, Senior)? Do we have any gaps?
Evaluate Maturity
-Are there currently small groups happening on campus? How many students are leading small groups?
-How many students would you estimate are actively sharing their faith?
-How many students are actively being discipled?
Evaluate Strategy
-Do we have clear goals that we are moving towards?
-Do our programs and outreaches serve to accomplish our goals?
-What areas can we plan more effectively?
Evaluate Faithfulness & Heart
-Have we faithfully communicated the truth?
-Have we been given over to what God has called us to do?
-Are we broken over the lost on our campus?
-Are we being faithful to “Love God & Love others”?
These are just a few questions to get the ball rolling! I encourage you to take some time, go through these questions and pray with your leadership team! We may may be halfway through the semester but there is a lot God still wants to do in you and through you!