Our second full day on the island was spent with Ken and Jo-Ann Badley talking about campus ministry assessment. It was a daunting task, no doubt, but they did a fantastic job covering a subject that I think we'll all agree is both significant and challenging.
Ultimately, we all want to be involved with work and ministry that is satisfying... right?! Effectiveness, and knowing that what we're actually being effective in what we're doing is important to finding true and deep satisfaction.
SO, here are a few quotes that were presented during the opening session that might serve as a springboard for some upcoming posts on assessment:
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results. ~ attributed to Albert Einstein
Assessment is meant to keep us from insanity - and repeating the same thing over and over again.
If something exists, it exists in some amount. If it exists in some amount it can be measured. ~ E.L. Thorndike
How does this apply to a students spiritual growth and formation?
Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts. ~ Albert Einstein
While I believe this to be true, I believe that those of us in [campus] ministry have used this line of thinking to avoid any kind of assessment for far too long.
What do you think?
- Do you believe that satisfaction in our work is directly tied to "effectiveness"?
- Is regular assessment of our work with college students important? Possible?
- Do you currently have method or process for assessment built-in to your ministry? If so, what's it look like?
- If you don't currently assess your work and ministry, what will it take to convince you to start doing so?
Thanks for joining the conversation!
