Assessing Before You Spring Forward

Spring time is a super busy season for those of us who garden. But before I begin to plant, there have been weeks of assessment: thinking back to what I planted last year—what worked, and what didn’t work. Why didn’t a certain plant grow well? What changes will I make this year? In a similar way, spring time is also a great time to assess your children’s and youth ministry programs, curriculum, etc. What in particular needs assessing? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Is there a stated, coherent vision and philosophy from the leadership driving the current structures and programs? If asked, would your teachers and other ministry volunteers be able to succinctly articulate this vision and philosophy?
• Curriculum (scope and sequence from preschool to high school)—As a whole, does the curriculum used over time reflect the six disciplines of teaching the whole counsel of God? (The six disciplines are: Bible study/chronological stories; biblical theology; systematic theology; moral instruction; explicit Gospel; and Bible study skills.)
• Does your scope and sequence present these disciplines in a balanced way (not all “biblical theology,” not all “systematic theology,” etc.)?
• Does the scope and sequence present biblical concepts to the targeted age group at appropriate age/learning levels?
• Classroom time and structure—What time frame is available for formal teaching on Sundays, midweek, and other avenues? Does the time available prioritize formal Bible instruction?
• What age groupings compose each classroom? Are these groupings conducive to the learning needs of the age group? Were these groupings arrived at based on necessity or convenience?
• Were ministry volunteers provided adequate training and encouragement during the year?
• Church and home instruction—Are there opportunities to partner together with the home in order to enhance and supplement the formal teaching of the church?
• Is your plan accomplishing your stated goals? Do you have a means to assess this?

Answering the above questions—assessing the current structures, programs, curriculum etc.—can serve as diagnostic tools for planning ahead. It could very well be that your children’s and youth ministry is “on course” with your stated vision. But these questions may also reveal some weaknesses and areas that need to be addressed. Addressing these issues now, before you implement a strategic plan for the coming new school year in the fall is crucial.

(Image courtesy of dusky at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.)