The last step in visioning, planning, and implementing a program or ministry is evaluation. Evaluation determines if a program or ministry met its goals, what went well, what barriers had to be overcome, recommendations for using the program in the future, and finally what were the surprises. Surprises are the unexpected good things that happened and negative things that occurred. (I believe that we learn more from the good surprises than almost anything else.)
In my experience, evaluation is often forgotten in the planning process. This is especially true if the program went well. When things seem good and fine who needs to rehash what has taken place? I know that when something really goes well for me, I am ready to say “Thank you God” and then to move on to new things.
For the past five weeks, I have preached a series of sermons on the major teachings of the church. The series included knowing God through: 1. the trinity, 2. the Bible, 3: the church, 4. the 10 Commandments, and 5. prayer. The purpose of this series was two-fold. The first was to introduce those who were not Lutheran, or Christian for that matter, to some of the basis teachings of the Lutheran Church. Second, the series would refresh the memories of those confirmed in the Lutheran church about their studies of Luther’s Catechism. In essence, I was bringing a five week new member class to the pulpit on Sunday morning. I was trying to condense at least an hour’s worth of material in each sermon into a 20 minute presentation. I should add that I have never done this type of sermon series in the past.
I have thought a lot about how to evaluate this series without it appearing that I am looking for compliments. Should a printed survey be included in the bulletin next week? Should a survey be placed in the e-newsletter this Thursday? How do you do follow-up to the information that you get from a survey in the bulletin or e-newsletter? Is there another way to get the information that you want?
I have decided that the evaluation of the last five weeks would be personal conversation with those who were at worship for at least three of the five sermons. I will stop those I encounter in the office, the Gathering Space, and those I meet when I walk around the church. In these encounters, I will simple state the information I was looking to gain. I will ask each person if they heard the series, did the series achieve its goals, and should similar series be planned in the future. I also decided to write this blog as an invitation to you to participate in the evaluation process. (For those who worship mainly at the Austin campus, the series will be repeated over the next five weeks and you will have a chance to evaluate it at its conclusion.)
So far, I have had three such conversations. The feedback is as follows. “Initially I would have said I know the material but the series made me think on a much deeper level.” “The series certainly made me remember my catechism which was a good thing.” “The series has given me a simple way to explain to my friends what the Lutheran Church stands for.” All three were in favor of occasionally preaching another series.
This is your invitation to weigh in on the evaluation. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Pastor Pete
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