Measuring Progress in Your Church’s Ministry to the Poor

This justice evaluation guide has been created to help your church strengthen its effectiveness in working with and for the poor and to understand what it means to “remember the poor” (Gal 2:10)

 

It will help you celebrate the ways God is already working through you, identify areas for progress, and build strategies to make your ministry to the world’s poorest even stronger.

 

It focuses on fives areas:

 

Learn humbly:

This section will identify how well your church is listening to God’s call to love the poor and how much you focus on biblical teaching in this area.

 

Consume wisely:

The products we buy often have a significant impact on the world’s poor. This section will help identify ways your church’s consumption can better serve the poor.

 

Speak truthfully:

This section will enable you to identify how effective your church is in speaking out against global injustices and to identify ways to take your congregation forward.

 

Give generously:

This section will help identify how generous your congregation is in sharing their material resources with the poor and what steps are being made to foster greater generosity.

 

Pray powerfully:

This section of the guide will enable you to identify your church’s effectiveness in prayer for the poor and strategies to develop this dimension.

 

It’s a simple three-step process.

 

Step 1: Evaluate

 

For each of the five key outcomes you:

1. Answer five questions, scoring your congregation on a scale from 1 to 10 for each question.

2. Add the scores and then divide by five to determine an average score for that area.

 

Step 2: Reflect

 

Your scores will allow you to identify the areas of greatest strength in your church’s response to the world’s poor and areas where there is room for growth.

 

Part 3: Celebrate

 

The church leadership group sets targets for celebration and growth to be implemented during the following year.

 

Part 1 - Evaluate

 

In this section you will answer questions about your church’s response to the poor. Read the description of the area then answer the questions. For each question rate your church from 1 to 10, 1 being a low score and 10 a high score.

 

Learn humbly

 

To build an effective ministry to the world’s poor, it is vital that we listen carefully to God’s Word, the poor and those who work with the poor. By listening to God we will understand and own the biblical call to love the poor as an integral dimension of Christian living. Listening to the poor ensures we respond to them out of wise compassion, seeing impoverished people as fellow human beings loved by God, resourceful, capable and created in God’s image. In listening to those who work with the poor we will ensure our compassion is matched with practical, sustainable and long-term solutions.

1. People in my church have a strong sense that God calls them to care for the poor.

Score: 1-10 (1 being a minimum score, 10 being maximum)

2. My church has regular Biblical teaching on poverty issues on Sundays and in small groups.

Score: 1-10

3. People in my church own ministry to the poor as an integral part of Christian discipleship.

Score: 1-10

4. People in my church strongly identify with the poor and are filled with compassion when they consider the needs of the world’s poorest.

Score: 1-10

5. People in my church would be very aware that the following are typical dimensions and causes of material poverty: inability to access clean water, basic health care and decent sanitation; lack of income earning opportunities; inability to access credit; poor infrastructure; underdeveloped economies; ethnic and gender discrimination; unjust government actions; unfair international trade policies.

Score: 1-10

 

Consume wisely

 

In Genesis 1 we are told God gifted the earth to humankind and the creatures for sustenance, He commissioned humankind to harness the productivity of the earth by “ruling and subduing” it. Consuming resources is then an integral part of the human endeavour. Yet in a fallen world consumption can become dangerous.

- Greed and indifference can see the rich enjoying the bounty of the earth while failing to make space for the poor to do the same (eg Luke 12.13-21, Luke 16.19-31).

- Our consumption can irreparably degrade the natural environment, decreasing its capacity to be the abundant and safe place God intended it to be, reversing God’s call for us to be careful stewards of the earth (Genesis 1-2). Climate change, for example, is in danger of reaching levels that will have very negative consequences for the world’s population and be particularly devastating for the world’s poor.

- God is our provider and we should spend wisely, not giving in to consumerism

- International trade can both benefit and harm the poor. When the world’s poor are able to produce goods that are sold to wealthier countries there are wonderful opportunities for them to be lifted out of poverty; yet weak labour standards in many developing countries means the poor are often exploited. It is not uncommon for the wages they receive to be so low they cannot meet their most basic needs or for work conditions to be dangerous (see James 5.1-5).

 

One way Christians can love their poor neighbour is by consuming wisely and fairly. We can consume less in order to free up money to share with the poor; consume sustainably so that our use of resources doesn’t irreparably degrade the environment; consume fairly by purchasing goods that guarantee a fair return and fair working conditions to workers in the developing world.

1. People in my church have a strong sense that there is a link between consuming and discipleship.

Score: 1-10

2. People in my church are active in reducing their consumption so they are able to share more with the poor.

Score: 1-10

3. People in my church are active in consuming in ways that are environmentally friendly.

Score: 1-10

4. People in my church seek out and purchase ‘fair trade’ labelled goods.

Score: 1-10

5. Our church has implemented a plan to consume resources in an environmentally sensitive way and to use fair trade supplies.

Score: 1-10

 

Speak truthfully

 

Scripture identifies injustice and oppression as among the chief causes of poverty. On the one hand, people can become poor and remain poor when the powerful directly oppress them through violence or refusing their pleas for help

(e.g. Exodus 3, James 5.1-6). On the other hand, Scripture sees a world where some are wealthy while others languish in poverty as inherently unjust. God gave the earth for the sustenance of all, so it is immoral for those with resources to ignore the plight of those without (e.g. Luke 12.13-21, Luke 16.19-31). This calls not only for individuals to stop oppressing the poor, but for transformation of social and economic systems that leave people impoverished. In the law God gave Israel, for example, provisions such as the cancellation of debt and redistribution of land (see Leviticus 25) were designed to ensure there would be no permanent ‘underclass’.

In the Old Testament the prophets consistently spoke out against oppression and injustice, calling the rich and powerful to repentance (e.g. Isaiah 58). In the New Testament Jesus spoke against the abuse of the poor by the rich and powerful of his day (e.g. Luke 6.20-26; 16.19-31), while the early church called on all people, including those in authority, to acknowledge Christ as Lord, which implicitly demands they act to cease oppression and overturn injustice (e.g. Philippians 2.5-11, James 5.1-9). This means Christians must not only give generously, but must call the rich and powerful to repentance. In the modern world this means speaking out against corruption; exposing human rights violations and calling on governments to respond to them; and calling rich countries to fulfil promises to deliver the aid, trade policies and debt forgiveness that poor countries require to overcome poverty.

1. People in my church have a strong sense that God calls them to speak out against injustice and oppression.

Score: 1-10

2. People in my church are active in speaking out against injustice and oppression.

Score: 1-10

3. In the last twelve months our church has actively engaged in advocacy campaigns such as Micah Challenge.

Score: 1-10

4. In the last twelve months the preaching and teaching program in my church has included discussion of issues of global justice.

Score: 1-10

5. Somebody who started attending our church six months ago would recognise overcoming global injustice as a core value of our church.

Score: 1-10

 

Give generously

 

The creation stories (Genesis 1-2) tell us that God created an abundant earth and gifted it to all the earth’s creatures for sustenance, enjoyment and rest. Scripture suggests this places a tremendous responsibility on those who are wealthy. They are to share their resources with those who do not enjoy the earth’s bounty, ensuring that all people experience sustenance, enjoyment of the earth and rest (see for example Deuteronomy 15.1-18; Isaiah 58; Matthew 25.31-46; Luke 12.13-21; 2 Corinthians 8.13-15; 1 Timothy 6.17-19).

As we share resources we aim to do two things:

1. Relieve the symptoms of poverty. Those who are extremely poor are not able to meet their most basic needs for food, shelter, clothing, medical treatment and the like. Those with wealth can reverse this (e.g. Matthew 25.31-36; James 2.14-26; 1 John 3.16-18).

2. Reverse the causes of poverty. Relieving the symptoms provides a temporary solution to poverty. Long term solutions will focus on poor communities finding ways to overturn the causes of their poverty and develop the capacity to meet their own needs. In line with the Old Testament Law that provided for periodic restructuring of society to ensure the poor were reintegrated into the economic and social life of the community (e.g. Deuteronomy 15, Leviticus 25), while the biblical vision of the world to come is not one where the poor are cared for but where poverty has been eliminated (e.g. Isaiah 65.17-25; Luke 6.20-23; Revelation 21-22).

For Christians living in a wealthy and prosperous country, this means resisting the consumerist mentality that urges them to see the wealth they enjoy as exclusively their own and available exclusively for fulfilling their own desires and to instead share their abundance with the world’s extremely poor.

1. People in my church have a strong sense that God calls them to be generous toward the poor.

Score: 1-10

2. People in my church not only give to the poor, they give generously and sacrificially.

Score: 1-10

3. Our church budget provides for generous contribution to anti-poverty ministries.

Score: 1-10

4. In the last twelve months our church actively campaigned to raise support for anti-poverty ministries.

Score: 1-10

5. If someone outside our church looked at our church budget they would identify generosity to the poor as a core value of our church.

Score: 1-10

 

Pray powerfully

 

Prayer is one of the core activities of God’s people. It reflects a worldview that sees God as living and active within history and calls on God to act to overturn sin, evil and injustice. In the midst of a society filled with impoverished peasant farmers living under an oppressive political regime, Jesus encouraged his followers to: pray for their “daily bread”; for the coming of God’s kingdom; and, for God’s will to “be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6.9-13). The economic and political overtones would not have been lost on Jesus’ hearers. We are to pray that the poor will be able to meet their daily needs and for a social order that is just, equitable and peaceful.

In today’s world, where modern communication technologies have made us aware of the circumstances of people around the world, Jesus’ call to prayer takes on new urgency.

Christians have the opportunity to pray for the billion human beings who live in extreme poverty, for those languishing under oppressive regimes, for victims of natural disaster, for a just economic and political order, for the church in developing countries, and for compassion and generosity in our own response to the poor.

We also need to pray that in our advocacy, our words will be prophetic and powerful. We need to pray that strong holds of greed and power can be broken by the values of God’s Kingdom.

1. People in my church have a strong sense that God calls them to pray for the world’s poor and oppressed.

Score: 1-10

2. People in my church pray regularly for the world’s leaders and decision makers to be wise and just and to protect the weak.

Score: 1-10

3. My church regularly includes prayer for the poor and oppressed in our congregational prayer life.

Score: 1-10

4. In the last twelve months our church has prayed about situations of poverty and injustice that have been widely reported in the news.

Score: 1-10

5. Somebody who listened to the prayers offered in our church in the last six months (e.g. small groups, prayer chains, congregational prayers) would recognise overcoming poverty and oppression as a key focus of our church’s prayer life.

Score: 1-10

 

Map Your Results

 

Now you have completed the survey note the score you gave for each question. For each focus area work out the average score out of 10.

Compare your results with others. You may want to work out an average score for each question and each focus area for the whole congregation/ group.

 

Part 2- Reflect

 

Gather your church leadership group together and spend some time reflecting on the following questions.

1. Look at the average score you created for each focus area: listening, consuming, speaking, giving and praying for the world’s poor. What does the graph suggest are areas of strength and weakness for your church?

2. Identify and write down the ministries within your church that involve listening, consuming, speaking, giving and praying for the world’s poor. Note that you should only list those ministries that contribute significantly to achieving this. Do not, for example, include ‘preaching’ under the learning area unless poverty is a consistent theme within the preaching program.

3. Consider the history of your church. What have been the major factors shaping the church’s response to poverty? You might like to consider influential leaders and personalities, theology, and experiences. How do these help explain areas of strength and weakness in responding to poverty for your church?

 

Part 3 - Celebrate

 

In this final section of the guide you will establish targets for the next year and beyond.

The aim is to celebrate and build upon those areas in which you are responding well to the world’s poor and take action to develop those areas that are weaker.

There is one section for each of the five key areas - listening, consuming, speaking, giving and praying; each section identifies outcomes that your church might set. It also lists ways you might reach that target.

1. Read through the outcomes for each area and determine what outcomes you would like to see achieved in your church. Place a tick in the box for the outcomes you would like to target and add any other outcomes you think are helpful.

2. Identify the actions you will take to help your church achieve these outcomes. A number of suggestions are given, but these are not exhaustive. Tick those actions you would like to implement and add any others you think worthwhile. Include actions you are already doing.

3. Give each action an A, B, or C rating:

‘A’ – Already implementing. This action is already a well functioning part of congregational life

‘B’ – Build upon. This action is partly implemented but could be strengthened or more prominent

‘C’ – Completely new. This action is not part of our church life but could be introduced

- Write up a list of the actions you are already implementing and agree on a way to affirm and celebrate these in your church.

-Write up the list of actions you want to strengthen or implement in the form of a commitment list for the church (“We commit ourselves to…”). This commitment can be read and affirmed as a pledge during a service.

- Identify who will be responsible for implementing each action and the time frame for implementation.

 

Targets for Listening

 

Desired Outcomes

Individuals and the church will collectively recognise God’s calls to care for the poor and own this as part of Christian living and church mission

Individuals and the church will collectively empathise with the world’s poorest, leading to a strong sense of compassion for those in need

Individuals and the church will collectively learn about the nature and causes of poverty

Individuals and the church will collectively develop the capacity to identify the actions that will be most effective in helping lift people out of poverty

Ways we can act:

- Encourage our small groups to include studies on poverty and justice issues in their annual bible study programs

- Have key leaders participate in a workshop in which they learn about the nature and causes of poverty and effective church based responses to poverty

- Invite an aid agency to conduct a workshop for our church where congregation members learn about the nature and causes of poverty and effective church based responses to poverty

- Promote poverty focused learning materials in our church

- Ask key leaders to read one book per year with a focus on poverty

- Set aside a month each year in which your church has a clear focus on poverty injustice and mission

 

Targets for Consuming

 

Desired Outcomes

Members of our church will consume less in order to share more, consume sustainably and consume fairly

Our church will consume resources in a way that is equitable, sustainable and just

How We Will Achieve This Outcome:

- Each family promises to spend less in one area, e.g. takeaway meals and uses the savings to bless the poor

- Each family will seek out at least one fair trade item

- We will start using fair trade tea and coffee at church and encourage people to do so in their own shopping

- Conduct an audit of our greenhouse gas production and identify ways to reduce greenhouse emissions and encourage all households to do the same

 

Targets for Speaking

 

Desired Outcomes

Members of our church will be more aware of global justice issues and take opportunities to act on them

Our church will include advocacy on global justice issues within its range of ministries

How We Will Achieve This Outcome

- we will encourage every member of our congregation to be globally aware by developing habits such as reading newspapers, watching the news, reading magazines from mission agencies

- incorporate awareness of global justice and advocacy for the poor in its preaching and worship ministry in the following ways

- identify public advocacy campaigns (such as Micah Challenge) and join in the recommended advocacy actions

- establish a ministry group that focuses on learning about, praying about and taking action on global justice issues

 

Targets for Giving

 

Desired Outcomes

The members of our church will make regular contributions to poverty focused ministries

Our church will make regular contributions to poverty focused ministries

How We Will Achieve This Outcome:

- We will encourage every person in our congregation to contribute regularly to a poverty focused ministry

- Participate in an annual poverty focused fundraising activity

- Individuals participate in regular giving of money and or time

- Identify a specific overseas development project that the church will promote and support on an ongoing basis

 

Targets for Praying

 

Desired Outcomes

Members of our church will pray regularly for the world’s poor and oppressed

Our church will include prayer for the poor and oppressed as a regular dimension of our public worship

 

How We Will Achieve This Outcome

- We will encourage every member of our congregation to be globally aware by developing habits such as reading newspapers, watching the news, reading magazines from mission agencies and to be prayerful about these issues

- Incorporate prayer for the world’s poor and oppressed, and for our leaders in our worship ministry

 

We pray your church is empowered by participating in this evaluation and that the targets you set are a valuable step to being a church full of justice, mercy and humility.

 

We thank Baptist World Aid Australia for permission to adapt their church evaluation 2008.

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