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Share thoughts - September 2011

Success and FailureMeasuring fruitfulness

'How will fruitfulness be measured?' This hits the problem of how to measure the work of the Holy Spirit.

Discernment

A 'theology of evaluation' can be developed round the concept of discernment. Evaluating the results of a fresh expression can be a means of discerning whether and how the Spirit has been at work.

Learning from this discernment can guide the venture's development, and if the learning is shared add to the wisdom of the wider church.

Evaluation-as-discernment-and-learning requires those overseeing and running a venture:

  • to think through its aims as they set off on their journey, even if the final direction is still unknown.
  • to identify indicators that will aid their discernment. Depending on the initiative's size, these may include 'hard outcomes', such as the numbers being served by the venture and the number coming into faith, and 'softer outcomes', like the impact on participants' lives and on the community outside. Indicators may also include 'process measurements', such as evidence that the mission team is learning from experience.
  • to identify ways of measuring these indicators. For instance, feedback from those concerned, through a simple questionnaire or a focus group or the enquiries of a 'mystery visitor', might be a way of assessing impact. Charities often use quite sophisticated tools to evaluate softer outcomes - see, for example, Homeless Outcomes (http://www.homelessoutcomes.org.uk/) - and these might be adapted in some cases. Both qualitative and quantitative tools may have a place. The tools need to be appropriate and as simple as possible.

Aims and objectives

Aims and objectives can be set within a theological framework, such as:

  • the four marks of church (One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic);
  • the Anglican Communion's and the URC's Five Marks of Mission;
  • the Methodist Church's Nine Marks of Mission, listed under What is meant by 'Mission'?

This is a short extract from Share How can we get support?. Check out the webpage on Share for more hints or suggestions, or purchase the Share booklet, How can we get support?. The booklet can be bought individually, or in a pack with six other Share booklets.

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