Performance Review for the Pastor? A Ministry Audit Might Be More Helpful
There is some debate if an annual performance review is really appropriate for the role of pastor. Is it too business-like, and do the metrics fit the job? But how else would you provide structured accountability for the leadership of your church? A Ministry Audit answers both of these questions.
For more on how a Ministry Audit works, check out episode 011 of the podcast. Or email me here for a free PDF of How to do a Ministry Audit.
1. Performance reviews of individuals are more of a practice from the business world. They are geared toward meeting benchmarks and goals, and providing a track record in the case of possible termination. These aren’t bad, but are built for a different kind of organization. A church should ideally function more relationally, and more toward the goal of faithfulness than benchmarks. This is one reason many performance reviews in church settings often aren’t very helpful. They are a process designed for a different type of organization. A ministry audit provides the opportunity to examine the successes and shortcomings of each team member as partners on the same side of the table. As each area of ministry is evaluated, the roles of individuals will naturally come up if there are shortcomings to address, or successes to celebrate. The goal of the audit is to make the team better, not put on record where any specific individual failed.
2. What about evaluating the pastor straight from the Scriptures? This obviously has an important place, but probably not in an annual review. The standards for leaders laid out in the NT are the bar of perfection for Christian character – not performance. No one of us will ever truly measure up well to these. We’ll always find shortcomings if we make it a point to look every year. Scouring for one another’s shortcomings will build distrust and resentment. If there are truly character issues that need addressed, these will be evident, and you shouldn’t wait till year-end to address them. This goes for all elders/leaders as well. Using the NT qualifications as the metric for annual evaluation ensures that someone will have the opportunity to be critical of the pastor if they want to.
3. The wrong type of review can focus on the wrong things. Most churches would prefer a pastor who is good at relationships and communicating the Bible – things that aren’t immediately measurable. A review process that is weighted in the wrong places could discourage growth in these necessities of ministry and encourage the pastor to give their energies to things that are more visible or measurable. A ministry audit allows the pastor to focus on these essential areas, while the specific outcomes are the responsibility of the team.