Success, Measurable Outcomes etc.
I was chatting with some youthworkers at lunchtime today and we touched on the subject of evaluation in what we do, how we measure success, the danger of talking about numbers etc.
I've touched on this before here, here etc.
I guess many of us can live with the open nature of what we do, but it can get tricky justifying ourselves to funders, churches etc. One thing I encourage church youth leaders to do is to celebrate the small things. I think if we were more aware of the small changes in the young people we work with and willing to tell the story it might sustain us when the times are tough (or when the church wants to see "outcomes"). To see God at work and "not despise the day of small things" (Zechariah 4:10).
It still leaves the question "what is successful youth ministry"?
Tags: youth ministry,
youth work
I was chatting with some youthworkers at lunchtime today and we touched on the subject of evaluation in what we do, how we measure success, the danger of talking about numbers etc.
I've touched on this before here, here etc.
I guess many of us can live with the open nature of what we do, but it can get tricky justifying ourselves to funders, churches etc. One thing I encourage church youth leaders to do is to celebrate the small things. I think if we were more aware of the small changes in the young people we work with and willing to tell the story it might sustain us when the times are tough (or when the church wants to see "outcomes"). To see God at work and "not despise the day of small things" (Zechariah 4:10).
It still leaves the question "what is successful youth ministry"?
Tags: youth ministry,
youth work
3 Comments:
Off the top of my head, I think successful youth ministry involves three things:
-- Students are growing in depth and insight of God's Word.
-- Students are genuinely worshipping God both publically and privately.
-- Students have a burden for lost souls around them.
I look at that list and think, "Hmmm, do I even measure up to that list personally?"
Recently I heard a youth prof share what he uses as measureable outcomes in individual students. It is a way that volunteers and others can gauge
whether their students are becoming more like Christ.
Attitude.
Does their attitude reflect Christ.
Behavior.
Does their behavior line up with a follower of Christ.
Conversation.
If they are beginning to internalize their relationship with Jesus Christ they will begin to ask questions about God. God will begin to be a natural part of their conversation. They will begin to converse with God (pray) privately and corporatly.
Thanks guys, good insights.
How do we apply these criteria to "outside in" type work with unchurched youth?
Is it enough to meet a "need" or be a "safe place"?
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