Guide the Assessment Process

When doing an assessment, it could be easy for a leader to control the process. What if, instead, we guided the assessment process?

The Source of What’s Needed for an Effective Assessment Process

We need wisdom to even know what questions to ask that will yield the data we need to move forward. We need discernment to know what to do with the results. And, we need the ability to persevere and follow through.

• Prayer opens the door to finding the wisdom we need as God is the ultimate Source of wisdom. (James 1:5)
• God’s Word enables us to discern not only between right and wrong but also between what good and what’s best (Heb. 5:14) as God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isa. 55:8-9).
• Divine power gives us “everything we need” to do what we ought to do and persevere in it (2 Pet. 1:3).

When we truly realize that we, as leaders, aren’t the source or standard, we then see our role as more of a guide, or conduit, pointing people to the One who is. Think about it: Who are we to think we should “control” the process when even Jesus came to serve and not be served (Matt. 20:25-28)?

How to Guide the Assessment Process

Since God provides what we need for an effective assessment process, then we guide the process by leading people to pray from start to finish. Consequently, we guide people …

to pray about the need for doing an assessment and God’s guidance throughout the process.

to ask God for wisdom to ask the right questions that will help us see where we are and where we need to be.

We also guide the process as we challenge one another to make sure we’re aligning with God and His Word as we consider steps needed for improvement, making Him the Standard of all we do.

Then, we steer the process by pointing people to an all-powerful, faithful God who will help us take the necessary steps.

Finally, we make sure to give God the praise and thanks for what has happened and what will happen, putting the spotlight on Him as the Source.

This may seem simplistic but sometimes we can get so caught up in procedures that we leave God out. If, however, the ultimate goal of doing an assessment is help us grow as a Church, then God has to be an integral part of the process for “neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Cor. 3:7).

For More on This Leadership Role, Go To: Church Leaders, Be a Guide

For More on Assessments, Go To: Church Ministry Assessments, Audits, Evaluations Resources

All Posts about Assessments:

• The Right Standard for Assessments
• Using Assessment Results in Ways that Line Up
• Guard Body Life When Doing Assessments
• Great Commission: Encompassing or Complicated?
• Assessment Questions from the Great Commission
• Christ-like Standard in Assessments
• Assessing Christ-like Character
• Assessing Christ-like Conduct & Conversation
• Assessments Leading to Eternal Results?
• Involvement of the Holy Spirit in the Assessment Process
• Pulling on Spiritual Gifting in the Assessment Process
• Alignment with the Gospel in the Assessment Process
• Prayer in the Assessment Process
• Do Assessments Really Fit into God’s Character and Ways?
• Concerned with His Name in the Assessment Process?
• Use of Spiritual Weapons in the Assessment Process
• Need for Grace in the Assessment Process
• Guide the Assessment Process
• A Leader’s Roles in Assessments
• Don’t Like the Results of an Assessment?