Local Church Evaluation – Preparation and Concepts

It is the considered opinion of a number of competent national leaders, that there resides within the leadership and general membership of the average local church, the essential knowledge, expertise and experience necessary to effectively evaluate their own total church program. An evaluation by outside specialists, although often quite helpful and potentially necessary in certain areas, cannot be as thorough as that completed by those more closely associated with the church. Familiarization with the day-to-day concepts and intricacies encountered, the knowledge of possible existing power struggles, and the awareness of concepts tried in the past and proven unworkable are among those elements usually unknown to outside evaluators.

A comprehensive evaluation, when carefully and prayerfully conducted with a definite desire for a thorough and complete evaluation, will take some time to complete. An Evaluation Committee should be formed to: (1) oversee the completion of the instrument, (2) complete a major evaluative process to digest and interpret the results, and (3) recommend specific action. Only then can the proper steps and actions be taken to better equip the church to fulfill its mission.

The purpose of local church evaluation is to help the local church understand and enunciate its mission and charter as both an organization (the local church) and an organism, the “body of Christ.” Our ultimate goal as both individuals and church corporate should be to glorify God and “to be found faithful”.

The answers and decisions made during the evaluative portion of this exercise will be part of the “planning aspect” for your future ministry. EVALUATE THOROUGHLY –EVALUATE WELL. The value will not be in merely discovering and uncovering potential problems, but in dealing with these issues and creating plans for the implementation of any necessary corrective measures. DO NOT rush this project! Take the necessary time and effort to be fully objective, to thoroughly study each aspect of ministry, and to compare results with your stated goals and objectives, mission, and philosophy (all in conformity with your doctrinal position). Only then will you be able to make accurate evaluations concerning your ministry.