Assessment

Today our focus is a Summary of the Assessment Process.

For the past three weeks we have examined the importance of and the process for the Assessment of ministry in the local church. We heard Socrates warn us concerning an unexamined life - - it is not worth living! I promise you well over 75% of American churches have no formal Assessment process. They have no objective review process for the effectiveness of ministry. 

Think with me here. Where would McDonald’s be if they had no process in place for measuring the profitability of their burger sales? Where would the Crimson Tide be if Coach Saban had no way of measuring the skill sets of his players? You get the picture? Every organization must have an objective process in place by which they can determine their effectiveness as compared to stated purpose. The purpose of every church as found in the text of Scripture is to Make Disciples. 

We have considered 12 essential aspects of local church ministry that serve as Assessment 101. Unless and until a local church knows with a high degree of accuracy the true condition of their ministry, they simply perpetuate dysfunction that leads to ongoing decline. Do you doubt the accuracy of this statement? 94% of American churches are declining. That is proof positive that the absence of a valid and consistently applied Assessment Process proves deadly. 

The Basic Assessment Process we provide is very clear and simple. It takes less than 15 minutes for a pastor or a church leader to complete. The cost is minimal. The benefits are many and vital for effective disciple making. So why do churches refuse to submit to the Assessment Process? I offer four reasons and while they may be difficult to embrace they are never-the-less true.

1.  Leadership Incompetence. We learned earlier in our series that Leadership Incompetence is the #1 reason for the decline of the American church. Are you listening pastor? This can change but until it does decline is your future.

2.  Fear of Failure. This is ironic because not engaging the Assessment Process is in and of itself failure.

3.  Cost. This is a smoke screen. Completing the Assessment Process is not an expenditure. It is in reality an investment, one of the wisest and most fruitful investments a local church can make.

4.  Tradition – we have never done this before!!! Exactly and precipitous and unrelenting decline is the obvious result. 

So pastor, church member, are you ready for Assessment?