Intentional - thoughts by Lorie Hughes

Do we have an established planning process in place with learning objectives, goals, and purpose?
The backbone of an effective faith formation ministry is the planning process involved in its organization. This process provides the framework for this ministry. Staff members and lay volunteer leaders need to work together to decide the learning objectives, goals, and purpose of the faith formation ministry. The process is ongoing, requiring periodic adjustments or changes in the framework.

  
Do we take the time to evaluate and assess needs, execution, and outcomes?
In our busy ministries we often move from one program or event to the next without taking the needed time to evaluate the one just completed. It is this valuable evaluation that allows us to take a step back to see if the learning objectives, goals, and purpose were accomplished. What worked? What didn’t work? Was God’s message communicated? Are we just doing this because we have always done this? Who benefited from this program/event? What changes could be made for next time? Are the needs of this group the same as in the past? The evaluation is extremely valuable when there is conversation among those involved. An evaluation form, whether hard copy or on the computer, can also be helpful to gather feedback and aid in the evaluation.