Thoughts on the value of evaluation

I love words!  And so I was intrigued by the roots found in the following Russian words:

цена                      ценить                 оценка

cost                        value                     evaluation

I looked up each word to find out what they had in common with each other:

to value:  Recognize a certain value; the value of something.

Value:  getting a fair return for the time and effort you spend in doing something.

to evaluate:  To examine and judge carefully; to make an appraisal of the value of something.  Evaluation is the act of considering, judging and deciding on something that has been made or done. 

Evaluation: the idea is that it is not just what was done well or not well, but it is focused on determining the value of what was done.

cost: The price paid to acquire, produce, accomplish, or maintain anything.

Cost:  we pay a price – whether to pay for something with money (to buy materials, rent facilities, etc.), with time or with focus of energy.

Everything we do in ministry has a cost.  We want to get the most value for what we ‘spend’ – “to get our money’s worth” (actual money or time, effect/results, manpower, energy, focus, reputation).  This would be considered wise stewardship! 

At the end of the school year I usually suggest to you to spend some time in reflective evaluation of the ministry things you did during the past year.  The evaluation times I have been a part of in the past have usually been more focused on evaluating whether or not we did each thing well (particular events, Bible study topics, focus, plans, etc).  I am challenged by how the ideas that цена, ценить and оценка (cost, value and evaluation) have redirected my understanding of evaluation.  Were the things we did worth the cost?  This is one of the goals of evaluation. 

Were the events and activities you were involved in and was the focus of this past year in ministry worth the cost that you paid?  Did you get the most value out of what you did as you joined in with God in His mission on your campus?

Here are some suggested questions for your time of evaluating the value and cost of your ministry foci and strategies:  (You don’t have to answer every question;  just choose the ones that pertain to your ministry this year.)

1.       Were the things we did to initiate with and gather new people this year effective?  Were those activities worth the cost we paid?

2.       Were our events and/or small group Bible studies effective in accomplishing our goals?

3.       Were the evangelistic events we did effective in giving many an opportunity to hear the gospel message?  Are they worth doing again next year?

4.       Did we cover important, foundational material in our small group Bible studies?  Was the material transferable so that untrained students could lead the studies after sitting through them just once?

5.       How did we do with follow-up of people who indicated interest in spiritual things?

6.       Were we able to train students in evangelism? How did we do in sharing the gospel on a regular basis with students on campus?

7.       Did we gather together regularly to pray for our campus ministry?  What was the ‘cost’ of that?  Did everyone see the value of spending time in prayer?  Or, did we realize that we spent a lot of time doing the ministry, but not much time asking God to work?

8.       Did we do a good job at personally inviting people to our events?  How did we do with advertisement?  How did we do in motivating people to come to our events?  Did we have enough people at our events to justify the amount of money, time, effort, etc. spent?  What events provided a good return for our expenditure?  What events were not ‘profitable’?  Why/Why not?  Are they worth doing another time if we make adjustments, or are they not worth trying it again?

9.       How is the funding for our ministry?  Are there some churches and some individuals who helped with regular gifts?  What do we need to do to communicate our gratitude for their gifts?

10.   How was our overall strategic plan for the year?  Did we follow it?  If not, why not?  How did it help us stay on track?  What did we learn from the Strategic Planning Process that will help us do better next year?

11.   Where did God show up?  How did He surprise us?  What did we learn about Him as we trusted Him to lead us and work through us this year?

12.   What did we learn about ourselves, about working together as a team, about the Spirit-filled life and about ministry to students this year?

13.   Is there any unresolved conflict that we need to take care of?  What is the cost of not taking care of these relational issues?

Be honest as you answer these questions because they will serve to help you establish a ministry that is not only multiplying, evangelistic, and transferable, but reflective of good stewardship of the resources the Lord has given you.