How To Assess Your Ministry

Currently we have roofers out to assess the condition of our roof.  I’m no expert but I’m thinking we’ll need a little bit of work done, because roofs shouldn’t let water in during rain storms.  It’s a humbling experience because someone is critiquing the condition of your home.  They are making recommendations on how to improve it and letting you know that it is going to cost you.

Courtesy of USAG-Humphreys/Creative Commons License

If your youth ministry has never had an assessment, you need to start doing it.  To assess a youth ministry means looking at what is working, and what is not.  It’s answering what needs to change, be tweaked and even eliminated.  Anytime you take a real look at your ministry you’ll find areas of improvement, the question is, “Are you looking in the right spots?”  To assess your ministry properly make sure you:

• Get A Fresh Perspective: Some of the best people to give you an opinion of your ministry are the new volunteers.  They are walking in with a fresh set of eyes.  They can tell you what makes sense and what doesn’t.  They can help you get to know your ministry a little bit better because they will ask you for clarification.  Make sure you spend time with the new people.

• Create A Measurement System: The only way to know whether or not you are heading in the right direction is by measuring your progress.  To assess properly look at the different ways your ministry is achieving the vision.  For example, if you envision active participants in church life are you measuring how many teens get involved?  Track progress in all realms of your ministry to understand how you are actually doing. (More on measuring your ministry click here)

• Ask A Fellow Youth Worker: While a fresh perspective is important, getting one from a veteran youth worker is essential.  They can assess your situation by knowing the day to day grind you experience.  They’ll understand what is possible and what may be too difficult to change.  Give them permission to come in unexpected and follow up with their thoughts and feedback.

• Constantly Pray: Let God lead you.  There are times when you will feel Him encouraging you to push forward and make a change.  There are going to be times when you need to rely on His strength in order to just admit that your ministry needs an improvement.  No matter what always look to Him.

You need a plan in order to assess your ministry properly.  This might mean taking time to create a plan, and making it a part of your schedule.  No matter what be sure to lean on God, embrace humility and now every time you assess your ministry it’s only to make it stronger.

What assessment tools do you use for your ministry?