IDEAS THAT WORK - Christianity Today

HELPING ELDERS EVALUATE THEMSELVES

During a recent performance evaluation, I allowed a long suppressed desire to surface; “I wish elders faced an evaluation of their ministry-not just pastors.”

One of the elders picked up on my comment. “I think that’s a great idea,” he said. “Let’s do it!”

So we did.

My associate and I designed a simple tool for our elders to use in self-evaluation. We wanted to help them look at their performance in three areas: their constitutionally mandated responsibilities, their level of visible involvement in church life, and their personal spiritual growth. They were also asked to comment on the overall effectiveness of our board of elders.

Board members responded with enthusiasm when the idea was proposed. The forms were distributed, and they agreed to be ready to discuss their responses at the next month’s meeting.

Self-evaluation questions

We asked our elders to consider these six areas:

1. Elders are charged with the primary responsibility of helping believers grow. This includes shepherding, visitation, discipling, and teaching ministries.

-Present areas of involvement:

-Evaluation of my present level of involvement:

-Evaluation of my effectiveness:

-Plans for improvement:

2. Elders are to exercise oversight and liaison with other boards and commissions.

-Present areas of involvement:

-Evaluation of my performance:

-Plans for improvement:

3. Elders are to model the involvement and participation level expected from all members.

-An effective elder’s level of church involvement should include:

-My typical weekly church activities include:

-Evaluation of my pattern of participation:

-Plans for improvement:

4. Elders are to be growing in their walk with God, including knowledge, intimacy, and obedience.

-Areas of growth in my life in the past year:

-Evaluation of my present walk with God:

-Plans for developing this relationship:

5. In reviewing my involvement as a board member, I would make the following comments:

6. In reviewing the activities of our board, I would make the following observations:

-Strengths:

-Weaknesses:

-Suggested changes:

Discussing our responses

The meeting took place, but the discussion did not. The initial enthusiasm waned before the difficult task of self-evaluation. “I forgot to bring the form with me,” said one; “I didn’t have a chance to complete it,” said another. The comments seemed to reveal a natural reluctance as well as busy schedules.

In spite of that stuttering beginning, the discussion that finally took place after still another month was marked by a refreshing degree of openness and honesty.

Our board chairman started the process by responding to the first question in a very open manner. He then asked each elder to share his own response, and we proceeded through the entire form in that manner. That hour proved to be a highlight of my year! It continues to reap such fruit as:

• Honesty. Comments like “I’ve not been consistent in my quiet times this past year” or “I know I should be teaching a Sunday school class, but . . .” or “My wife and I seldom pray together” remove the masks we so often wear. Sharing our weaknesses and inadequacies with our peers is tough to do but is of inestimable value.

• Ministry. A cross-fertilization of ideas and solutions flowed naturally from the honesty everyone expressed. It’s nearly impossible to help those who think they have no need. On the other hand, admission of need invites ministry: “I have had that problem too, but God is helping me deal with it. Here’s how … ” Since those who helped had already revealed some of their own problems, the counsel came from fellow-strugglers, not elevated superiors.

• Sensitivity. I was personally helped as my elders removed their masks. When a man says, “I’d like to attend prayer meeting, but I leave the house every morning at 5:30 A.M.,” my frustration with his absence begins to melt. Seeing them in a new light renewed my sense of compassion for them. I became more sensitive to their unique circumstances. I suspect that they in turn will be better able to deal with mine as well.

• Expectations. “Why of course elders should attend every service!” But do they know that? “Certainly they should teach a Sunday school class or lead a Bible study regularly. An elder should be ‘apt to teach!'” But have they ever been informed of that? We call them unwritten rules or expectations, and each position carries its own set.

As our elders discussed the previous year, some of those unspoken expectations crept out of the closet so we could examine them. Some were rejected, and others were endorsed. This was especially helpful to elders who were new to the board: “At least I know what’s expected!” It was also good for those who carried unrealistic expectations to acknowledge, “We’re asking too much.”

• Accountability. With no pay raise to dangle in order to increase productivity, we sometimes assume we’re helpless in the face of poor elder performance. I’ve found that a shared self-evaluation drives people back to an even more effective motivator: the desire to display integrity.

Well, it’s nice in theory, but does it make a difference? It certainly does. One example is a younger man who established the goal of weekly Sunday school attendance. He has been faithful since that day, and everyone benefits-including the man, his family, and his church. This visible change has been matched by other goals, more private by nature, that will result in lasting fruit in the years to come.

At first we made this an annual exercise for our elders, but it helped so much that we’re now planning semiannual evaluations. We also want to develop similar evaluations for other church leaders. It has been a delight to see “iron sharpen iron.”

-Peter Pendell, pastor, Millington Baptist Church, Basking Ridge, New Jersey

DIAL 800-BIBLE

Offering spiritual guidance to those who wish to remain anonymous is a challenge, but in Upland, California, a telephone number is available twenty-four hours a day through a unique outreach program of the United Church of Christ. “Bible Call” offers a smorgasbord of prerecorded messages on Christian topics.

“This is not a counseling service,” says Gilbert Allen, pastor of the sponsoring church. “Instead, it’s a church outreach program that quotes biblical passages concerning problems people face every day.”

Each tape begins with a brief introduction: “Within the pages of the Bible are the answers to our most pressing needs. Accept only what you can read for yourself from your own Bible.” The tape runs for five minutes, and callers are encouraged to record the messages for future reference or to note Bible references for later study.

Also on tape are Bible stories for young children. One young person calls regularly to hear the story of Abraham. Many latch-key children call when they get home from school. In addition to pre-selected tapes that automatically play twenty-four hours a day, callers can request specific tapes during certain hours when volunteers handle the calls and play the tapes.

The busiest times are the few days immediately following publication of local newspaper ads that list the inventory of tapes available. Calls also increase following media reports of national and world-wide crises.

Tapes on loneliness and human suffering remain constantly popular. If callers want further information, reading materials on any subject are sent free. Free Bible study correspondence courses are offered. Persons completing a course receive a certificate presented to them at home by Pastor Allen.

If a caller seems deeply disturbed, such as a young girl who called in with questions on suicide, the option of seeking help from two area Christian counselors is offered. Most callers prefer anonymity.

“We find that many people who are lonely don’t want to admit it, although everyone suffers loneliness. Our messages tell them they’re never alone. God is always with us,” reports Allen. “One day a listener arrived at 8 A.M. requesting to be baptized. Another man called to ask if he, too, could be baptized some evening after work.”

Allen says the telephone outreach program is twofold: it helps the church reach a large number of people from the community, and it involves the older people from the church who answer the phones. The program, which costs approximately $6,000 annually, is popular with the congregation because members believe that in helping others, they also help themselves.

-Rita Robinson Bear City, California

SURROGATE GRANDPARENTS

Coming to a small, mainly older congregation in rural Tuelon, Manitoba, Canada (population 1,200), Pastor Earl Phillips was faced with the challenge of reaching young families most of whom reside on nearby farms.

Using birth announcements from the local newspaper, he writes congratulatory letters to families of newborns. He encloses two informative and inexpensive booklets from the World Home Bible League: Dads Only and A Miracle of Love. (Telephone in Canada: 416-7412140; U.S.: 708-331-2094.)

Each family’s name is forwarded to a volunteer senior couple in the congregation. That couple makes contact with the family of the newborn. Acting as surrogate grandparents, they provide food, child care, and friendship as needed. In many cases, rewarding relationships develop.

Over a recent eighteen-month period, twenty-four letters were sent to area families. Five families attended church-a 20 percent response. Three of the families have established a continuing relationship with Teulon Gospel Tabernacle.

“We anticipate a growing ministry to families,” says Pastor Phillips, “and we are compiling a list of children, which will assist us in implementing a new children’s ministry.”

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