Simple Evaluations

Just the word, "evaluation" seems to have such a negative connotation on its own. No one likes an evaluation. But evaluations are a necessary evil, even in the smaller church. Or, dare I say, especially in the smaller church. 

Here's a few reasons why:

1. Goal-setting. If we know where we've come from, we know where we want to go. What do we want to accomplish in the next quarter or next year?

2. Improvements. Evaluating what we've done let's us see what areas we need to improve, both in our teaching styles/method and I our classroom. 

3. Accomplishments. Evaluation isn't always about what we've done wrong and need to improve. An important aspect is to see what we've accomplished so we can get excited about the future! 

What's the best way to do a quick and painless evaluation? Keep it simple! 

I like to get evaluations from all my children's leaders quarterly if I can. 

No leader wants to feel as if they are doing 10 pages of homework. 

Ask as few questions as possible by making them direct and concise, leaving space for additional comments if necessary. Here is an example of questions I like to ask my leaders at the end of each quarter and at the end of the year:

1. What did I accomplish this quarter/year that I am proud of?

2. What areas could I improve and what are my goals?

3. What worked well/didn't work well in my classroom?

Additional Comments:

Don't stop there. Follow up. If your leader needs something, get it for them if at all possible. If the curriculum isn't working well, search out other options. If they need to improve their devotional life, pray with them and keep them accountable. 

And make sure to fill out an evaluation form yourself. This keeps you accountable and helps you to remember to keep improving!

Don't be afraid to evaluate your children's ministry. It can be an invaluable tool and not nearly as painful as you thought!