Resource Toolkit
Evaluation
Tool for Key Elements
Across Canada, ministries are as varied as our churches. While the
end result of making disciples is our reason for being,
how we do that is uniquely up to each church. However, there
are some key, relevant elements that surface in many churches today.
They are:
Relationship Focused
A common concern these days is that women do not know each other well in our churches, nor do they know their neighbors and colleagues. The current, cultural trend of having more on our plates than time to accomplish it all, results in little time for relationships. This leaves a huge need in the lives of Canadian women. Whatever we do in our ministries, being relational needs to be a core value. Women's Ministries that offer many opportunities for women to connect with each other are thriving. The more relational entry points, the better. After all, it's through relationships that we are introduced to Christ and pressed on towards growth - discipleship!
Soul Care
Ministries that value soul care are ministries where women will grow. The reality of our faith must intersect with the ‘dailyness’ of our lives. Teaching on God's Word, prayer, and the how to's of spiritual disciplines applied to current issues are a valued component. Often, soul care takes place in small group settings or one-on-one.
Community Impact
If Women's Ministries did not exist in your church, would anyone notice in your town, city, or community? Are there ways in which our ministries are impacting our communities? Being the church means being the church outside the doors of our building in the public space of our worlds. Jesus was alert to the needs of the under resourced. Are we?
Engaged in Service
Part of healthy discipleship is being equipped to serve. Women's Ministries that offer opportunities to serve by being engaged in areas of giftedness and passion will push women towards maturity in Christ. The Reveal study by Willow Creek discovered that serving is the most catalytic experience for spiritual growth offered by churches today.
How do we know if we’re focusing on these key elements?
The following is an evaluation tool to be used with your leadership team.
Choose one or two questions from each value to discuss, working
your way through the elements.
Perhaps focusing on one question/team meeting would be of benefit.
Questions to ask in the area of Relationship Focused:
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What do we do as a leadership team that shows we’re relationally focused?
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List all the programs, ministries and events your group does. How does each one show the value of relationships?
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Think back to the last WM event you attended, what happened to focus on the value of relationships?
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How many easy, relational, entry points do we have in our WM?
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How many new women are involved in relationships with our church women?
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Do I have any relationships among the marginalized in my world?
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Is developing relationships encouraged through teaching at WM functions? How?
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What percentage of the women in our church are actively involved in building relationships outside of their own social circles?
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For personal reflection: How are we personally modeling the high value of relationships with women? How many new relationships do I have this year?
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What will we do next to encourage relationships among our church women and with those outside our church?
Questions to
ask in the area of Soul Care:
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How do I nurture my own soul?
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What spiritual disciplines have I focused on this year?
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Am I building into someone else’s life through mentoring someone – either formally or informally?
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Is each woman on the team involved in a mentoring or shepherding relationship?
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Are we involved in matching women up in mentoring relationships?
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Have we highlighted or taught about any spiritual disciplines through WM this year? Which ones? How?
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Have we identified hurting women? What is our plan to minister to them?
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Are we ministering to women in the transitions of life? i.e. new career, newly married, first baby, peri menopause, empty nest, menopause, retirement How?
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Have we done a retreat? What was the purpose? What were the outcomes?
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What kind of opportunities are we providing our women to be regularly engaged in God’s Word? Do we have a way of knowing what percentage of our women are engaged in God’s Word?
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What will we do next to encourage soul care among our women?
Questions to
ask in the area of Community Impact:
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How am I involved in my community?
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What percentage of our ministries benefit our community?
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What are we doing to impact our community?
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What opportunities are we providing for women to understand and impact the world?
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If our WM did not exist, would the community notice?
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What percentage of our women volunteer outside our church, in a community agency, school or ministry? How are we affirming and empowering them?
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What will we do next to encourage women to have community impact?
Questions to
ask in the area of Engaged in
Service:
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Am I using my spiritual gifts? How?
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What percentage of our women understand and know their spiritual gifts?
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What percentage of our women are using their spiritual gifts?
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Have we taught on spiritual gifts or encouraged women to learn through some other resource? When?
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Are we involving new women in our WM? How?
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Are we intentionally training and empowering our women in their area of giftedness in and out of the church? How?
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What will we do next to see women engaged in service?