Evaluating a Ministry

How do we evaluate the value of a ministry? This is a question many christians and churches struggle with. Many resort to measuring only the things that are countable which include cost effectiveness, numerical growth of attendance, number of new converts, number of newly baptized member, growth in offering taking, and many more. When a ministry is not meeting the numerical expectation, support is withdrawn and the future of the ministry is in jeopardy.

In serving Christ, it is human to look at only what can be measured and judge the worth of ones service in the number. The work of the holy spirit often is intrinsic in nature, and it is highly private in nature. People don't always shout out when they receive spiritual blessings; therefore the work of the spirit is difficult to measure.

Does that mean time and resources continue to be expended in the absence of visible results? Decisions have to be entered in prayerfully. But for those of us who are experiencing apparent doldrum in the areas we are serving, take heart. Our faithfulness does not go unnoticed in God's eye. The number may not adds up. Support may be withdrawn. As long as we are confident we are doing God's work, the time and resources we spent is not wasted. People may think us a fool. But "God is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose" (Jim Elliot).