tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post9042528833220193280..comments2023-11-03T05:46:44.728-04:00Comments on RevGalBlogPals: Ask the Matriarch - Pastor EvaluationStephanie Anthony/She Revhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-10467347296512612172010-02-27T20:32:23.584-05:002010-02-27T20:32:23.584-05:00Responding even later...
If there are very many c...Responding even later...<br /><br />If there are very many crabbies/whiners/whatever-you-want-to-call-them, then the review process is overdue. Just having it in place demonstrates to the congregation that you and the Council/Session/whatever-you-call-it are indeed accountable for your decisions and actions.<br /><br />I agree that within our faith community anonymity is not appropriate. Remember, however, that it goes both ways - if no one is allowed to criticize the leadership of the congregation without signing his/her name to the comment, then leadership crabbing/whining/etc. should also come with a name attached.<br /><br />I have always found "performance review" to be very helpful even if it's not always fun. It does help to define priorities. And, I must admit, sometimes the things I've put at the top of the list have NOT been those identified by the other leaders of the congregation. It's helpful to publish the priorities/objectives of the coming year to the entire congregation so they know what to expect. And wise evaluations have definitely helped me to see that there areas in which even I can improve...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-85410226214889282602010-02-26T15:28:18.399-05:002010-02-26T15:28:18.399-05:00Responding late, but I have to say--don't do t...Responding late, but I have to say--don't do this alone. I just went through a very unpleasant "review" where the folks who are dissatisfied "had their say" and it was ugly--and a good bit of it was untrue, but I was helpless to respond or "prove" my innocence. <br /><br />If you are able, have a member of the bishop's office present so that it doesn't turn into something none of you has in mind.P-Squaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04361053017286570596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-79424823499035170242010-02-26T13:05:13.386-05:002010-02-26T13:05:13.386-05:00I have a rather large hole in the middle of my for...I have a rather large hole in the middle of my forehead... from the anonymous comments added into my review. The last review... was the beginning of the end. Strictly subjective... with no attention to why the congregation "said" they called me... and the job description I was given. <br /><br />Bottom line... I thought I was supposed to help grow the church (community recognition)... the leadership thought I as supposed to be maintaining everything the way it was (even though they called me part-time)... the congregation really thought I was full-time and should be visiting them every 6-8 weeks because I had the time.<br /><br />Total snafu.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-19734045122574904362010-02-26T11:00:20.666-05:002010-02-26T11:00:20.666-05:00My main problem with the scenario presented was th...My main problem with the scenario presented was that the member of the congregation who <i>presented</i> this to the pastor, was <b>not</b> a member of the council.<br /><br />This sounds like an <i>end around</i> move by the gripers to get this done without council.<br /><br />The council should immediately get involved, and properly conduct any such evaluation to insure that anything done is fair to all involved, especially the minister in question.Reformed Catholichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15582319442292078422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1759716775272006382010-02-26T10:05:32.319-05:002010-02-26T10:05:32.319-05:00I agree with the idea that anonymous evaluations a...I agree with the idea that anonymous evaluations are unacceptable. People who consider themselves part of a faith community need to own their feelings and opinions within that community. Most of the pastors I know have a "talk to the hand" approach to anonymous or triangulated ("Pastor, some people are saying...") evaluations of their performance.LutheranChikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02685566332651377907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-48956514928793168352010-02-26T10:04:28.458-05:002010-02-26T10:04:28.458-05:00Ha ha, Crimson Rambler! Fab idea.Ha ha, Crimson Rambler! Fab idea.earthchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12447310443886956100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-52422939101174720102010-02-26T09:20:27.812-05:002010-02-26T09:20:27.812-05:00one small, mean-spirited, pre-coffee question...wo...one small, mean-spirited, pre-coffee question...wouldn't you like to have a reverse process? "The Pastor will submit an evaluation on the performance of the parish in the last year...". Oh boy.Crimson Ramblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13020190454645032359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-61803818263662152632010-02-26T09:01:31.577-05:002010-02-26T09:01:31.577-05:00In my church's bylaws, there is a provision fo...In my church's bylaws, there is a provision for annual evaluation "at the initiation of the pastor" or similar language. Not surprisingly, near the end of my first year it was one of my "gripers" who wanted to make sure that it was implemented. <br /><br />I have a big problem with the idea that these evaluations can be anonymous. I think that we as a faith community should be above the possibility of ripping the pastor to shreds and not claiming ownership. As a PK I've experienced the damage that this can do to a pastor and his family. As a result, the evaluation form states that the pastor reserves the right to contact people to clarify comments that they make. It isn't a committee thing...just an opportunity for me to follow up one on one. I think it's a good way to continue/enhance the pastoral relationship without being intimidating. It's probably still intimidating ("You mean I might actually have to be accountable for what I write?") but not in any way that'll cause me to lose sleep.<br /><br />Our Pastoral Relations committee heads all this up, and we process the comments as a group. It's a built-in source of support that helps me determine the best way to respond. I couldn't imagine a pastor going through this process alone, especially if you have a group trying to use it for their own purposes.Jeff Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15077957635136271689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-24076141061907216922010-02-26T02:48:00.060-05:002010-02-26T02:48:00.060-05:00We have accompanied self appraisal, it is mandator...We have accompanied self appraisal, it is mandatory within Methodist structures, but the people who walk through this with us are dedicated by the church for the purpose and trained for the task. My concern about what is being described is that this may well be a vieled lynch mob with no proper or formal agenda!Sallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01759963926280667938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-66886415418598816782010-02-25T22:32:42.429-05:002010-02-25T22:32:42.429-05:00A few years ago, the Worship Committee, of which I...A few years ago, the Worship Committee, of which I am part, undertook a short survey, because of a few negative comments. The responses showed that the congregation had a wide variety of expectations, many mutually exclusive, fortunately they love each other enough to put up with parts of worship they don’t appreciate because they know others do. Before the survey the implication was that anything a person didn’t like was my fault, and therefore would complain about it. <br /><br />The nearest thing we officially have is a Vitality of Call, it isn’t really an evaluation of the Minister, but seeing if the needs/expectations/mission goals of the Congregation and the skills/call of the Minister are still a good match. This is in the 4th and 7th year of a placement. The Church Council appoints 2 people from the congregation, the minister appoints 2, and the regional body leads the process. There is a meeting with the 4 lay people, with the Minister and then with Minister and Lay people. The Congregation knows who the 4 Lay people are, and people will often make comment to them prior to the day of the meeting. <br />I have been involved as a member of the team leading the process, and have been pleased at how open congregations and ministers are willing to be, about their joys, hopes and disappointments with the placement. We specifically ask the lay people for any concerns or points of tension with the Minister – and we ask the Minister a similar question. <br />The report is circulated to the people involved before it is sent to Pastoral Relations Committee [ a regional committee] and to the Church Council of the congregation. The report doesn’t include every minor issue, but tries to convey a sense of the conversations, is it generally a happy place with minister and congregaiton working together, or are there issues which need to be dealt with. Sometimes it means to is time for the Minister to consider looking for another call that is better suited to theri skils and calling.<br />I think having the process led by people from outside the congregation [usually one lay and one ordained person] helps make it a safe process for both congregation and Minister.RevPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-63127008381923218272010-02-25T21:41:17.365-05:002010-02-25T21:41:17.365-05:00I agree with Jane Ellen and Gord on the issue of a...I agree with Jane Ellen and Gord on the issue of anonymity. We have worked hard in our congregation to empower people to express disagreement and/or dissatisfaction in open, honest ways, and asking them to sign their names to confidential evaluation forms is in the same spirit. <br /><br />I would not characterize following up with criticisms as "subjecting them to questioning by a committee" as if they were being called on the carpet for something. It's not an interrogation. In our congregation, this process is intended to allow someone with a complaint a fuller hearing so that the committee might better understand the complaint and communicate it (without acrimony) to the pastor. <br /><br />If a person chooses not to participate in the evaluation because he/she does not want to sign his/her name to the form, I am fine with that. There is enough opportunity for anonymous criticism in congregational life without sanctioning it as a part of the formal evaluation process.earthchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12447310443886956100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-89775469343479611282010-02-25T19:01:15.213-05:002010-02-25T19:01:15.213-05:00In the UCCan these are, in theory, done yearly eve...In the UCCan these are, in theory, done yearly everywhere by the Ministry & PErsonnel Committee of the PAstoral Charge. In practice, well....<br /><br />ALso of note, in the UCCan anonymous comments do not officially exist. THe M&P committee at least has to know where the comment is coming from. Otherwise it is to be discarded.Gordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03767921257861340046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-42753341461586652482010-02-25T16:52:00.156-05:002010-02-25T16:52:00.156-05:00We actually do have such a thing in the Episcopal ...We actually do have such a thing in the Episcopal Church-- an underused but very helpful tool called a <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/1521_9620_ENG_HTM.htm" rel="nofollow">Mutual Ministry Review</a>. The key is that it is just what it sounds-- not simply a "performance evaluation" of the pastor, but a look at the function of the collective ministry of the church as a whole. It's a real opportunity for growth all around if the congregation and pastor participate together in such an effort. You can find a version of it <a href="http://www.episcopalfreshstart.org/resources" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Perhaps your denomination has something similar (another reason for contacting the powers-that-be)? Or maybe this could be adapted?<br /><br />Additionally, I would strongly argue against allowing full anonymity in the process. A church is an ongoing community in ways that are different from a classroom; at a minimum, parishioners (hopefully!) do not deliver their evaluation and then move on to the next church. I have seen real damage done by "axe-grinders" who have an opportunity to be ugly without having to accept responsibility. Names of individuals do not need to be included in the report to the pastor/parish board, but accountability for one's comments needs to be part of the system at some point.Jane Ellen+https://www.blogger.com/profile/07930706962327994732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-18183663331095409152010-02-25T16:16:38.506-05:002010-02-25T16:16:38.506-05:00I would suggest any 360 evaluation form. The ECUSA...I would suggest any 360 evaluation form. The ECUSA has a Mutual Ministry program that is pretty good. The ABC-USA recommends a 360 evaluation as well. The point is to focus on the congregations' self-understanding and everyone's role in moving forward as God's people. Pastoral evaluations then are a subset of this evaluation and are within the context of the overall expressed goals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-18636929846478953512010-02-25T14:15:20.277-05:002010-02-25T14:15:20.277-05:00As a college professor I am evaluated by every stu...As a college professor I am evaluated by every student in every class, every semester. It is not always an enjoyable process but it is a very important one, so I am glad to hear that some denominations/congregations have the practice of pastor evaluations. (We have sadly never experienced this in the Catholic, Episcopal, or Presbyterian congregations where my family has worshipped, with detrimental results to best practices IMHO. Preaching suffers, in particular, when there is no evaluation after seminary and rare hearing of anyone else preach). <br /><br />Honest teaching evaluations are made safe for the students by always allowing anonymity and I believe it is very important to do the same thing in a pastor evaluation. If people want to identify themselves (students occasionally do) this is fine...But forcing people to sign their names and be subject to questioning by a committee who they may not be personally comfortable with, even if this is not seen by the pastor, is virtually guaranteed to make some people not participate and others give minimal and therefore unhelpful feedback. <br /><br />There may be the occasional hostile comment--even in a class where 90 percent of the comments are good to excellent there will generally be one or two who have an ax to grind. If they are limited in number they can be taken with a grain of salt--if more extensive they say something really important, perhaps substantive and but at least about perceptions which probably need to be addressed anyway. The sting isn't fun either way but is definitely worth it for the importance of the information gathered.Dr. Laura Marie Grimeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10372741914558791844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-42298521206594680542010-02-25T14:01:04.259-05:002010-02-25T14:01:04.259-05:00I would agree that the first step is to notify you...I would agree that the first step is to notify your council and then your denominational higher-ups. Don't wait and wonder if it will blow over. As someone who has been "nuked" by four people who had an agenda, I can promise that if there IS a hidden agenda, it will come out, one way or the other.<br /><br />If you keep this positive (i.e. you know you are not perfect and would like to be a better pastor and therefore better fulfill your calling) you can easily talk about what you see as the perks for this evaluation -- not only for you but for your congregation.<br /><br />The smaller the congregation, the harder these are to do. But you still have to love and serve your sheep.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-55230204093019951182010-02-25T13:50:09.172-05:002010-02-25T13:50:09.172-05:00This looks like it could be a negative fishing exp...This looks like it could be a negative fishing expedition. The council should be informed. You need to head this off at the pass. An evaluation should only be through a formal process of the council and its personnel committee, or whatever you want to call it. This committee should be available for the pastor to bounce things off of and also for the people who have gripes to complain to, but if some people with an agenda get rolling, they will look only to like minded people.LoieJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01977264499770654307noreply@blogger.com