full church health check with visit, data analysis, reporting and team session
Helping churches reflect on where you are, where you want to get to and how to get there
Why should we have a church assessment?
Church assessments provide valuable external input to help you as you look to the future and look to the mission field of your community. You may want support as you face specific challenges around growth such as welcoming newcomers well, reaching capacity in your venue or looking to grow your staff team; or you may welcome guidance around defining the church’s vision, making the most of opportunities or managing change.
Start by having a free initial chat so we can discuss how to best support you.
What is the process?
Church assessments take place over a period of around 3-5 months, and take the following structure:
- Dialogue – Conversation with senior leadership clarifying process and discovering what will best serve
- Data gathering – church stats and surveys
- Data analysis – surfacing trends and comparing with national data
- Sunday visit – consultant or staff attends the church or watches online
- Consult day – half day with church staff team and/or elders
- Report – record, reflections and recommendations
- Support – option for ongoing mentoring after the assessment
Who are the consultants?
Richard Coekin
Senior pastor of Dundonald for 29 years and mission director for Co-Mission for 19 years, author of a number of books including Gospel DNA
Ray Evans
Pastor of Grace Community Church for more than 40 years, FIEC church leadership consultant, author of Ready, Steady Grow
David Anderson
30 years of pastoral experience, founder of Face to Face Scotland: Christ-centred mentoring for pastors in their first 10 years
Piers Bickersteth
4 years working for the Proclamation Trust followed by over 25 years pastoring near Reading overseeing the development of a small network of churches.
Gavin Smith
Over 20 years experience in church management; passionate about the gospel and strengthening churches by supporting ops and admin through The Church Office.
What are people saying?
“Fantastic to have a fresh pair of eyes look at what is going on.”
“I’ve really appreciated having someone outside be genuinely interested in the ministry here, without trying to get something out of us, just wanting to come alongside, help us to see what God is doing and encourage us in it.”
“The report that came out of the process was superb. A really really strong piece of work. There is loads in it, with very helpful practical suggestions, which in time we’ll work through as an eldership and staff team.”
“Very graciously handled. Winsome, warm and insightful.”
How much does it cost?
The church assessment is £1200*.
There are additional fees for specialist assessments and mentoring.
*The full rate is discounted depending on church income: 10% for churches <£300k total annual income, 25% for churches <£200k and 50% for churches <£100k total annual income. Special circumstances are also considered.
What other support is available?
In addition to instead of a standard Reach Ministries church assessment, there are two specialist assessment options that churches may want to explore:
We provide an overview of your current HR practices based on the questions below and put some recommendations into place.
- What is the current state of staff handbooks, contracts, policies and procedures; team dynamics; line management; recruitment; annual reviews; employee engagement; team culture; sickness absence and annual leave?
- What HR support is needed and how could this be simply and appropriately achieved?
- Are there areas that are missing altogether?
- Are there areas that if implemented would make a huge difference?
- Are there areas that can be simplified or improved?
Back Office Review
from The Church Office
Supporting the ministry work that happens behind the scenes
As part of this service Gavin Smith will arrange a visit to the church and take the time to sit and assess the administrative needs of the church with staff and volunteers. This involves looking at
- the management, organisational structures and processes of the church,
- identifying any difficulties, challenges or frustrations that might exist
- looking at the current compliance and governance in place
The Back-Office Review then provides some feedback with a desire to offer some recommendations and changes to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the behind the scenes work. Gavin will draw alongside the staff or volunteers and share his experience and provide some solutions.
Leader Mentoring
from Reach Ministries
Helping church leaders grow in their leadership and ministry effectiveness
After the church assessment you may benefit ongoing mentoring support from your consultant. Through these one-to-one sessions your consultant will offer wisdom and encouragement to help you with the ministry challenges you are facing. Most people have around 2-4 sessions, these can be at a frequency that best suits you.
