An Elder Evaluation
Inasmuch as the elders have undertaken to evaluate my performance, perhaps it would be good to have an evaluation that goes the other way. Of course, because I am not an elder and elder is the highest calling in all of the Kingdom of God, I am not worthy to make such an evaluation.
But just for fun…I will use the same categories by which I am being evaluated. Each item is to be ranked from 1 to 5 as to how well or poorly they are doing.
I am just playing around and have not even tried to keep tense, voice, etc consistent. This is what it is….a rant and a catharsis. I don’t make any claims of objectivity. :)
Job Understanding
Thorough comprehension of the principal job description and an understanding of methods, techniques, and skills in function areas and how they relate to other ministries and the church community.
The principal job description for an elder is the shepherd the flock. In the year I have been here, we have had meetings on sugar packets, email discussions and controversial decisions on the promotion of movies, prayers for perpetrators and have ignored the victims of crimes perpetrated in our building under our watch. The elders stood by as one of their own bullied the congregation and staff to the point where the senior pastor quit.
As to staying up with current methods and techniques…well, we have never done it that way before.
Regarding relating to other ministries in the church community…by “church community” we undoubtedly mean us and only us. Because when our church was involved in a ministry for the whole city with other churches in the community, you were all conspicuously absent.
I give this a 1.
Decision Making
Exhibits thoroughness in analyzing, planning, and decision making pertinent to the scope of job responsibilities. Displays an ability to think through problem situations and reach timely and practical solutions.
The elders exhibit quick decisions without proper understanding of the whole situation. Once decisions are made, they are likely to go out to the congregation and undermine the decision that was made.
When presented with issues through the approved venue (email) emails are ignored on issues that have important deadlines.
Elders seem to hold to a selective and legalistic understanding of Scripture which forces them to continually make the bad decisions they seem to prefer.
I give this a 1.
Budget Management
Effective and consistent completion of cost objective goals and ability to operate at lowest cost utilizing the most efficient methods.
Due to poor budgeting of real expense (i.e. not enough for basic maintenance of building, inadequately funded ministries, antiquated systems of accounting and payment) the elders have managed to get more out of ministry than we could possibly do on the money allotted.
This is either due to the miracle of multiplication (that God has multiplied the moneys available and allowed the resources for ministry to magically appear) or by forcing pastors, staff, volunteers to pay for the expenses of their own ministries.
I am aware of all paid staff giving sacrificially to the ministries they lead, so I think it is the latter.
Additionally, because they have so leaned on the ones who are trying to serve, the elders have freed additional money to send to missions.
While we may lose staff, ministry volunteers, and church attenders because of our presumptuous and haphazard use of resources, we have certainly done it inexpensively.
So on being cheap, I give this a 5.
Organization and Planning
Effectiveness in anticipating needs, forecasting results, analyzing and arranging work processes and delegating responsibility to volunteers.
You lured me in with low pay and the promise to make it right with no intention of fulfilling it. You tried to force one of our staff members out and claim you didn’t even realize it. You tell me I have decisions to make, but reverse them. You speak of budget problems while paying one of your own to do a job which could easily be done by volunteers. And, by the way, he does it badly.
And you forecast that the results will be a healthy church that trusts her elders.
I think you miss your forecast.
On this I give a 1.
Flexibility
Develops and utilizes new strategies for increasing the effectiveness of each ministry, communicates them to ministry leaders, and oversees successful implementation. Stays current and appropriately involved in the activities of all relevant ministry areas.
I have yet seen any new strategies coming from the eldership.
Elders demonstrate a ridiculous level of control on ministries they touch—requiring all curriculum to be read by them, prescribing the number of ounces in church coffee cups, controlling the how and what is and out of the bulletin, second guessing the decisions of student ministries (among others), etc.
On this, I give a 1.
Communicating
Displays accuracy, clarity, and timeliness in all verbal and written correspondence to elders, staff, ministry leaders and the congregation. Adheres to appropriate standards to maintain confidentialty. Elders, staff, ministry leaders, and congregation are kept fully advised on applicable current events, changes, and problems.
It is a running joke among the staff and I have heard from members of the congregation. If you send an email to the elders, you will get unhelpful or no response whatsoever.
While that is not entirely accurate, it is not without foundation.
On many, many occasions I have sent emails regarding serious issues such as budget matters, questions of teaching, sexual misconduct, and even bulletin announcements with little or no response.
The congregation laughs at the idea that the elders communicate with them. They don’t even know the elders by face. In the case of serious issues within the congregation, the elders are reluctant or opposed to communication. Such issues include the forced sabbatical of a staff member, the forced removal of an elder, sexual assault in our building and other things I cannot recall.
Openness and communication is not a strong suit with these elders.
In regards to confidentiality, the official policy is that everything is confidential (hence no communication) but the practice is to allow breaches of confidentiality when deemed appropriate to promote a family atmosphere.
Relationship Development
Establishes and maintains active engagement with the congregation as pastor, teacher, and shepherd. Maintains an appropriately positive relationship with staff members and actively supports their growth as Christians and employees of Our church. Maintains a dynamic and positive relationship with the eldership of Our church recognizing that while the church body is elder-led, elders and pastor are called to cooperatively lead and display Christ’s example of servant leader.
Obviously this one is primarily directed toward me, but looking at the important relationship between pastor and elders, there is room to evaluate.
The elders have consistently undercut my authority with the staff and with church members. I have even been asked to speak on their behalf only to have them backtrack and put me in a bad light. They have excluded me from key decisions in the church and demand I follow along—at one point even asking me to lie to support them.
Though I have worked to build relationships with them, there has been very little reciprocation of that effort.
I give this a 1.
Integrity
Maintains the highest standards of conduct both personally and professionally and inspires the same standards in those under his leadership. The embrace of biblical values and the authority of biblical principles are evident and at work.
I would say that the elders do try to operate according to the moral and ethical standard they understand.
Unfortunately their standard is something divorced from people. It is soundly grounded on their own authority and shrouded in biblical language, but often it is a very convoluted ethic.
It does, indeed, inspire the same legalistic values in those under their leadership.
I give this a 2. I do believe they try.
Quality
Ministry objectives and duties are performed with excellence and model the qualities that Christ inspires in all of us.
Our elders do work with diligence and excellence in what they do. They just do the wrong things. Like a basketball player who can really punt.
On this I give a 3 for effort.
Attitude
Is actively and positively engaged in the ongoing vision of Our church by supporting and clarifying the essential objectives of the Lord’s church.
They desperately need to figure out what it is they are doing. They don’t know what the vision of the church is, and so they all do their own things. Each has pet projects they defend and steer, but they are disconnected from one another.
Attitude? They have a fine, positive attitude. They are up beat and positive. About what, we don’t know. They are confident in their ability to lead. They are the only ones.
On this I give a 2 because they smile.
