"Do your pastor and arts team meet weekly to evaluate your services?" It's a question I've asked in leadership gatherings all over the world, and every time, I'm disappointed by how few hands go up in response. Planning teams who routinely engage the discipline of evaluation are as rare as sunny days in a Chicago winter.

Some leaders wonder if evaluation is biblical. Others default to the lack-of-time excuse: Sundays come so regularly we must move on to the next. And then there's defensiveness: Most of us don't know how to give or receive constructive criticism without sinning! It's much safer to put last Sunday behind us and brainstorm for the next.

Here's a bold challenge: begin now engaging in a weekly process of evaluating Sunday services. Here's what you'll gain:

1. Reason to celebrate

Always begin evaluation discussions with celebration. Focus first and foremost on the good work God did through your service. Ask team members to identify moments ...