Resources: Pastor Evaluation

Most denominations provide for a committee that is responsible for "clergy evaluation." Both pastors and these committees often have misgivings about such clergy review processes. Clergy want good feedback to improve their ministries, but many have not experienced evaluation as a positive growth experience. Laity as well come to the review process with hesitancy since they themselves have not functioned as pastors.

The Lewis Center for Church Leadership has four documents to help inform the review process. They cover:

• The theological foundations of evaluation.
• Purposes and steps of evaluation, stressing the difference between "formative" evaluation that helps a person improve, and "summative" evaluation that draws conclusions about a person's effectiveness.
• Tips for giving and receiving feedback.
• Effective and ineffective practices for committees that review pastors

The above documents were prepared for United Methodist Congregations. Ecumenical Versions are listed below.

• The theological foundations of evaluation.
• Purposes and steps of evaluation, stressing the difference between "formative" evaluation that helps a person improve, and "summative" evaluation that draws conclusions about a person's effectiveness.
• Tips for giving and receiving feedback.
• Effective and ineffective practices for committees that review pastors

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