Evaluation - Summary of Recent Revitalization Round Table at the Middle Baptist Association


On October 5, 2015 fifteen pastors met with Randy Mullinax of the Georgia Baptist Convention to unpack the topic "Evaluation." we discussed what we should evaluate in local church ministry, and how it should be evaluated.  Randy facilitated our discussion and brought pretty good BBQ as well.





What we should Evaluate?
"We can't manage what we don't measure"--Randy Mullinax.

  • Participation in ministry outside of the worship experience.
  • Are people growing spiritually?
  • Do we retain people after they are baptized or join the church?
  • Discipleship
  • The Sunday morning worship experience
  • Giving patterns
  • Our attitude toward "outsiders."  Are lost sinners welcome in our churches?  People have a "sixth sense" concerning whether they are really welcome or not.
  • Are people hearing what we are trying to say?  Is our communication connecting?
  • Are we connecting with existing members?
  • One pastor recently used a formula he learned from pastor Chris Vinson (Trinity Baptist, Vidalia) to poll his congregation about their spiritual development:
    • S - Studying God's Word consistently?
    • P - Praying Regularly?
    • R - Relationally involved?
    • E - Evangelizing others?
    • A - Active in ministry?
    • D - Discipling others?
    This was qualified by asking about the regularity of these habits.  "Don't hide the reality of where the church is."
  • Leadership training
  • Attendance
  • Baptisms
Context: Practice qualitative evaluation. Ask questions that get beneath the surface.  Be balanced.  We can't measure our effectiveness solely on numbers.  The Holy Spirit's involvement is an important consideration.  Review goals.  Regularly ask what the church stands for.  What is our purpose?

Randy shared the following illustration to show how events can be evaluated:






How do we Evaluate?
 How do we affect change in what we evaluate?
Ask practical questions.  Ask detailed questions.  Get congregational feedback about things like the rhythm of their lives and communities.

  • Experiment: "Can we try this?"
  • Hold regular leadership meetings.
  • Evaluate ourselves as leaders.
  • Develop leaders, mentor others
  • Let young preachers use the pulpit
  • Take risks on immature people.  The 12 disciples weren't ideal, but Jesus recognized their potential
  • "If the want to is there, the how to can be taught."


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