• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Contact Us
  • Audio
  • Social Menu

The Master's Academy International HomepageThe Master's Academy International

Training Church Leaders Worldwide

  • Connect
    • Donate to TMAI
    • Read Field Reports
    • Devotionals
    • Subscribe to Updates
    • Involve Your Church
  • Member Schools
  • About Us
    • Mission and Core Values
    • Our History
    • What We Believe
    • Ministry Distinctives
  • Blog
Donate
October 2, 2017
Article By TMAI

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Your Missions Program

Over several posts, we’ve been looking at how to develop an effective missions program. In today’s post, we move from developing and documenting your new missions strategy, to how your current missions program should be evaluated to determine how closely it matches up with the new strategy. This will enable your leadership to determine if any adjustment or realignment should be made.

This evaluation is vital in the process of rebuilding a missions program, and it requires great care. Your church’s missionaries are well loved by the congregation. They have likely established relationships with the people in your church through regular visits over the years. Some members may have personally supported their work in the past, and others may even be related to the missionaries. It should be expected, then, that some in your congregation will be leery of any critical evaluation of your missionaries, even if done with the best intentions. The more objective the evaluation process, the less personally and emotionally challenging it will be to the congregation, and the more God-honoring it will be when finally implemented.

In order to evaluate your current missions program in light of your newly outlined strategy, there are three phases that must be worked through. The first phase involves collecting data on your current missions effort, and the next two phases require evaluating your current missions activities and missionaries.

Phase 1 – Collect and Document Current Missionary Activity

Begin by collecting and documenting all the current missionary activity that your church supports. If one does not already exist, you will be well served to construct a comprehensive list or spreadsheet showing the names of all of your missionaries, along with important information, such as:

  • Names and ages of each missionary’s family members
  • Contact information and agency contacts
  • Support start date and initial support level
  • Current support level
  • Date and amount of last support increase/decrease (if available)
  • How the missionary came to be supported (e.g., close connections within the church, introduced by someone outside the church, etc.)

This information will help to give you the full picture of your current missions efforts. It will also be important to gather information about your missionaries’ particular activities and doctrinal convictions. Because this is sensitive and important data, it is advisable to ask the missionary directly rather than rely on old or second-hand information.

To gather these responses, your church may send a Missionary Update Form (MUF) for each missionary to fill out. As mentioned in our post on communication, this process should not only be clear and transparent to your congregation but also to your missionaries. Therefore, along with the MUF, your elders should provide the missionary a letter explaining your desire to receive updated information as part of your missions program evaluation. The tone and wording of this letter should be carefully decided so as not to cause undue alarm on the part of the missionary or concern that your church will suddenly cut his support.

The MUF should request enough data to give your missions leadership a clear idea of what activities the missionary is engaged in, his personal contribution to that ministry, and his current doctrinal beliefs. If you have not recently asked the missionary for prayer requests, the MUF should contain these types of questions, as well. Some sample questions on the MUF may include:

  • What are the broad goals of your current ministry?
  • What are your particular responsibilities in regards to the ministry. In other words, what day-to-day activities are you generally involved in that advance the overall purpose of the ministry?
  • Please read over the church’s Doctrinal Statement and Statement of Faith. Are you in agreement with this statement? If not, please comment on areas of difference or concern.
  • What are the biggest challenges in your current ministry?
  • What are the greatest blessings that you have seen recently in your ministry?
  • How can our congregation be praying for you and your family?
  • Is there anything else that we can do to serve you and your family that we are not currently doing?

The information contained on the MUF will be instrumental for your evaluation of the missionary and his ministry focus. The answers you receive will update you on ministry goals, problems, financial status, contact methods, etc. You will also be able to determine if the missionary is still doing the same ministry for which he or she was originally sent, and if not, what has changed.

While the MUF is a useful way to gather information, it should not be a substitute for personal interaction. If your church leadership has not visited or been visited by a missionary lately, it is worth the effort to arrange it. If possible, work with the missionaries’ furlough and visit schedules to coordinate personal interviews with them. Have your pastors, elders, and the missions team share a meal with them and ask questions about their ministries and families. In these settings, you are able to get to know the missionary and understand his priorities and ministry focus far better.

After compiling all of the data on your current missions activities, your missions leadership team will be in a good position to evaluate your current activities to see how they line up with your defined missions strategy and philosophy. We recommend you first evaluate the missionary’s ministry focus and then doctrinal beliefs.

Phase 2 – Evaluate Current Missions Focus

After documenting your current missionary activity, it is ready to be evaluated in light of the new strategy. First, categorize your current missionaries’ ministry focus. Categorizing your missionaries by the focus of their ministry will help you evaluate the level of agreement or disagreement with your church’s priorities. In our post on principles we identified a broad range of missionary emphases drawn from Scripture, such as preaching publicly, church planting, church strengthening, leadership training, missionary support ministries, and mercy ministry. Identify what your missionaries are aiming to accomplish in their activities. Even though most missionaries are involved in a variety of ministries, the goal at this point is to identify the predominant focus. If a missionary’s main ministry focus does not fall within the categories above, you will need to assign that ministry a different category.

Once you have categorized and documented each missionary’s ministry focus, you can aggregate the current support amounts for each category. These numbers will provide you with a valuable set of data reflective of what your current missions program does and does not emphasize. With this objective analysis, it is much easier to compare the current allocation of missions resources with the strategy you have already developed.

Using the hypothetical example from our post on developing a strategy, we will imagine that your church’s new missions strategy outlined the following allocations of missions funding:

  • Evangelistic outreach/Church planting: 40%
  • Leadership training: 30%
  • Mercy ministry: 20%
  • Support activities: 10%

However, when you categorized each of your current missionaries and added the funding levels, you found that your current program allocations are as follows:

  • Mercy ministry: 75%
  • Support activities: 15%
  • Evangelistic outreach: 10%

This comparison clearly and objectively reveals that your current allocations are significantly different than the goals set in developing a strategy.

Another important aspect of the missions focus evaluation is to look carefully at each of your missionaries’ ministries in terms of their Great Commission impact. Our Lord’s Commission was to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach men to obey all of Christ’s commandments; is that what your missionaries are doing? If one of your missionaries is engaged in mercy ministry, is that mercy ministry a platform for serious and intentional gospel witness and evangelism, or is it merely a way to meet physical needs? If it is the latter, your evaluation should clearly reflect that. Similarly, if your missionary is involved in ministry administration or support, is the ministry that is being supported contributing to one of your identified ministry emphases? If not, this is also an important finding that should be documented in your evaluation.

It is crucial that you assess the Great Commission impact of your missionaries’ ministries because it is not uncommon for certain activities to be deemed “missions” while not actually possessing any Great Commission elements: no evangelism, no discipleship, no teaching, no emphasis on obedience to Christ, no distinctly Christ-centered witness at all. An alarming trend in missions today is that many people are engaged in cross-cultural activities that on the surface seem to be ministry-driven, but in reality are absent of any Christian message. Your leadership team must guard your missionaries and your church from this all-too-common pitfall. As you evaluate the missions focus, your missions team should gain a solid understanding of exactly what your missionaries are engaged in as it relates to these issues.

Phase 3 – Evaluate the Missionaries’ Doctrinal Beliefs

The third phase is to evaluate each of your missionary’s doctrinal convictions with regard to your church’s Statement of Faith and Doctrinal Statement. Ideally, your missionaries should be in agreement with the doctrine that is taught in your church and they themselves should be an extension of that teaching around the world; however, ministry challenges, missions agency pressure, and other factors can shift a missionary’s doctrinal stance over time. Additionally, if your church has changed its doctrinal position, the missionary may be unaware and might no longer be in agreement with your doctrinal stance. It is important, therefore, to find out from your missionaries where they stand on your church’s theological positions.

From the MUF, you should have a relatively clear understanding of where your missionaries agree and disagree with your doctrinal statement. If there is disagreement, there is an opportunity to come alongside and teach the missionary the biblical support for the church’s stance. If there is continued disagreement, the church leadership will need to decide the best way to proceed forward with that missionary.

Ongoing Evaluation

The three steps listed above are essential in order to do a one-time evaluation of all of the missionary endeavors that your church currently supports; however, evaluation of your missionary efforts should not only be a one-time occurrence. Your leadership team should perform regular evaluations of your missionaries and the ministries they are involved in. Not only will this prevent unwanted drift in your missionary efforts, but it will also provide opportunities for your missions leadership to shepherd, guide, and encourage missionaries in their difficult work. It is desirable to do evaluations every three to five years if possible.

Now that you have thoroughly evaluated your current missions effort and compared it with your identified strategy, you are ready to begin the process of aligning your current program with your documented strategy. We’ll have more on that next time.

This post was adapted from the booklet, How to Build an Effective Missions Program.

Post Category
TMAI
< Prev Post Preaching as an Act of Worship
Missionary Outreach in Closed Countries > Next Post

Email Updates

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Footer

The Master's Academy International
13248 Roscoe Blvd
Sun Valley, CA 91352
(818) 909-5570
info@tmai.org
Click for Donation Mailing Address
Affiliate Ministries
The Master's Seminary The Master's University Grace to You Grace Community Church
  • Membership Standards
  • Find a Member School
  • Contact Us

TMAI is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization.

© 2021 The Master's Academy International · Website By Maffrine LaConte

Cherif Arif

Cherif Arif was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. He got an MBS from the National Theological College and Graduate School (NTCGS) in Cairo, Egypt; an MDiv. from Maranatha Baptist Seminary, Wisconsin; a ThM from TMS; and is now working on a PhD at TMS. He has served as a professor at NTCGS since 2011, both in Cairo and other locations: Jordan and Lebanon. He is now working on an exegetical/pastoral commentary on the Book of Ecclesiastes in Arabic. He desires to continue serving by equipping pastors and leaders and writing exegetical/theological works in Arabic for the church in the Middle East. “My heart is that many in this area of the world come to the saving faith in our God and Lord Jesus Christ.”

Rodney Andersen

Rodney Andersen is grateful to have grown up at Grace Community Church (GCC) under the ministry of John MacArthur. After working as an engineer for many years, Rodney left that career to pursue missions. After graduating from The Master’s Seminary in 2012, he and his family were sent by GCC to serve as missionaries in China until 2018 when he was called to return to GCC to train new missionaries. He currently serves as the Director for Grace Ministries International (GMI), the international missions department of Grace Community Church (GCC).  Rodney and his wife, Glenna, have two children.   

Aleksey Kolomiytsev

Over the last 30 years, Aleksey Kolomiytsev has been involved in pastoral ministry in Russia and other Russian-speaking countries. He has also led Word of Grace Bible Institute for 22 years and has served as senior pastor at Word of Grace Bible Church or the last 18 years. Aleksey’s focus in ministry is spreading the influence of expository preaching, as well as preparing preachers in the Russian-speaking world. His wife Tanya has been faithfully supporting him in ministry over the last 35 years.

Nick Kalena

Nick Kalena has been serving in Berlin, Germany, for six years. He moved with his wife, Jodi, and their six children from Mission Viejo, CA, in the summer of 2014 to work for the European Bible Training Center. Since then he has been serving in and is now the director of the EBTC’s Biblical Counseling Program. Alongside of EBTC ministry, he joined a church planting team in 2016 that started the Eckstein Gemeinde Berlin. One year later, Nick and the two church planters from the planting team were ordained as elders.  Nick’s ministry focus at the EBTC and at the Eckstein Gemeinde is counseling and discipleship. He enjoys bringing people to God’s Word to help them grow in their knowledge of the Son of God. 

Alexey Prokopenko

Alexey Prokopenko has served as a professor at Samara Center for Biblical Training since 2007 and as pastor of Transfiguration Baptist Church in Samara, Russia, since 2012. He has earned degrees from Medical University of Samara (MD) and The Master’s Seminary (PhD). Alexey has authored several books in the Russian language, including commentaries on Genesis and Ruth, as well as annotated translations of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. He currently serves as pastor of a new church plant in his home city. Alexey and his wife Kate have two beautiful children.

Joshua Mack

Joshua and his family recently moved back to the United States after serving for 14 years in South Africa, where they planted Living Hope Church, began the African Bible Training Center, and started the Muphamuzi Baby Home. He now serves as pastor at Cornerstone Bible Church in Fullerton, California, while continuing to mentor teachers at various African Bible Training Centers. He is particularly passionate about providing solid theological resources in under-resourced areas. He is the author of Compasssion: Seeing with Jesus Eyes and the co-author of several other books. He received his M.A. and M.Div from The Master’s University and Seminary, and D.Min from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

Dave Beakley

Both David and his wife Carol were raised in Arizona, and after following David’s career in High Tech manufacturing, the Lord called David to ministry and he graduated from The Master’s Seminary in 2002. Six weeks after graduating, David, Carol, and their four children were sent out by Grace Community Church as missionaries to South Africa. David was eventually selected by South Africans to serve as the Academic Dean of Christ Seminary, as well as an elder at Christ Baptist Church. He then earned his PhD at the University of Potchefstroom in 2014. His wife Carol also serves in Christ Baptist Church teaching various women’s Bible Studies and discipling women. He also serves as the TMAI African Regional Coordinator and the GMI Regional Missions Shepherd for Africa. 

Christian Andresen

Christian and his wife Sheryl moved back to Germany over twenty years ago and started the European Bible Training Center (EBTC) in Berlin to train up nationals for pastoral and missionary work and strengthen the local churches. As president of the ever-growing EBTC, Christian oversees the school in Berlin and its extensions in Germany, Switzerland and Austria as well as its publishing ministry. He also serves as one of the pastors at Eckstein Gemeinde Berlin, a four-year-old church plant at the heart of Berlin, and is eager to invest in church-planting ministries across Europe through his role as Regional Shepherd at Grace Ministries International. Christian and Sheryl have four wonderful grown-up children and several grandchildren.

 

Carlos Montoya  

Carlos Montoya is President of Ministerios Evangélicos de Las Americas (MEDA), a TMAI pastoral training center located in Siguatepeque, Honduras. MEDA’s main program is The Seminary for Expository Preaching (SEPE) where its motto is Training men to Preach Christ with Power, Passion and Precision. He also serves as a pastor at Iglesia Bautista Betania. 

He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He then studied at Dallas Theological Seminary, receiving his MABS in 1989, and married his bride Lori the same year. After several years, Carlos felt the need to study the original languages, leading him to attend The Master’s Seminary, graduating in 1999. The Montoya family moved to Honduras in 2001. He and Lori have 7 children and 5 grandchildren. 

 

Faly Ravoahangy

Faly Ravoahangy, a graduate of The Master’s Seminary currently enrolled in their Doctor of Ministry program, is the founder and Managing Director of Madagascar 3M, a ministry started in 2017, aiming to come alongside the existing structures and to be involved in identifying, training and equipping men to study, obey and teach God’s Word. Ultimately, Madagascar 3M desires to open a Bible-teaching seminary, focusing on expository preaching, so to develop a new generation of godly church leaders in francophone Africa.

Faly is also part of the eldership team and a teaching pastor at Ankadivato Biblical Baptist Church in Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar. He is married to Lily and they are blessed with 5 children.

David Robles

David Robles serves as the teaching pastor of Iglesia Evangelica de Leon and is the founding president of Berea Seminary, Spain. He has a wide teaching and preaching ministry throughout Spain, Europe, Latin America and the USA. David is a graduate of Multnomah Biblical Seminary and The Master´s Seminary. He and his wife, Loida, have three daughters.

Ruben Videira

Ruben Videira graduated from The Master’s Seminary with his M.Div. in 2011 and Th.M. in 2014. The same year he moved to León, Spain, with his family, to serve at the Evangelical Church of Leon and the Berea Seminary. At the seminary he serves as the Academic Dean and professor of Hermeneutics, Bible Exposition and Theology, and at the church his ministry focuses on preaching and discipling. He has been married to Jenn since 2010, and the Lord has blessed them with Oliver (2013), Eden (2015), Caleb (2016), and Zoe (2018).

 

Greg White

Greg White was sent out by Grace Community Church in 1992 to serve the Evangelical churches of Ukraine. Over the past 28 years he has had the privilege to be a part of 2 church plants and the start and development of 2 seminaries. Greg is pastor of Grace Bible Church, Chief Academic Officer of Grace Bible Seminary in Kyiv, Ukraine, Regional Pastor of Eurasia for Grace Ministries International and Liaison & Consultant, Eurasia for The Master’s Academy International. Beside his administrative responsibilities, Greg also is a professor in the area of New Testament at Grace Bible Seminary and the European Bible Center, Berlin, Germany. Greg is married to Hue Chon and has 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren who live in Southern California.

Dave Beakley

Both David and his wife Carol were raised in Arizona, and after following David’s career in High Tech manufacturing, the Lord called David to ministry and he graduated from The Master’s Seminary in 2002. Just six weeks after graduating, David, Carol, and their four children were sent out by Grace Community Church as missionaries to South Africa, where David served as a lecturer at Christ Seminary in the city of Polokwane. During that time, David eventually was selected by the nationals to serve as the Academic Dean as well as an elder at Christ Baptist Church. He also earned his PhD at the University of Potchefstroom in 2014. His wife Carol also serves in Christ Baptist Church teaching various women’s Bible Studies and discipling women. The children were all raised in South Africa and are now living as adults in the USA. Currently, David is the Senior Pastor (teaching pastor) of Christ Baptist Church, the Academic Dean of Christ Seminary, teaches various courses in Christ Seminary, and he also serves as the TMAI African Regional Coordinator and the GMI Regional Missions Shepherd for Africa. He and his family have been serving in South Africa for over 18 years.

 

COVID-19 Updates: CARES Act Giving Information