We are in the midst of staff evaluations. As I write this I am waiting to be evaluated by Pastor Brian. I hate evaluations, not so much to receive them. I actually like to know where I stand, but I hate doing them because I hate conflict. I want everyone to love me and when I have to confront someone, I fear, as do most people, that they  may not like me anymore. Now I can’t imagine why someone would not like lovable old me. I actually explained to someone not long ago that I realize I am not mister hugable. I am not a touchy feely kind of guy. One of the larger complaints I get from my wife. but i stray…

Anyway evaluations are essential. People need to know where they stand. I hate not knowing whether people think I’m doing a good job or not. If I’m doing a good job let me know and encourage me, if I’m not train me, direct me, or fire me so we both can move on. (Although not today Brian my house payment is due in a couple of weeks.) But see, that is the point, if you let me know how I am doing, or I let you know how you are doing then I can plan or you can plan and prepare for the future.

That’s also true in ministries. Evaluate every ministry periodically. The established church for the most part has so many unproductive ministries sapping the budget that real ministry often goes lacking. These ministries might have worked well in former years, for instance,  my in-laws have never forgiven my wife and I that we go to a church that doesn’t have a youth choir and do yearly youth choir mission trips. Isn’t that what effective youth ministries do? It is what worked at one time, believe it or not I became a believer after one such trip (I went because my girlfriend was going). But today, not so much. Yet, I still know churches that do youth choir trips. Maybe fun for the kids (although probably embarrassing to all dress alike) but how effective are they? Kids today are building or repairing houses and schools, meeting people in nursing homes and orphanages in Jamaica, digging wells in Africa, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, serving the least of these not singing for churches that don’t even invite their friends. I’ll get off the soapbox now.

The issue is evaluate. It will make things run smoother and help you and your people be more effective in ministry.

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