Measuring Success

The Heritage Foundation has published a report on measuring success for faith-based organizations.

Outcome-based evaluation (OBE) is a tool for responding to this stewardship challenge. This form of evaluation permits faith-based organizations to define specifically what success means for their programs and then measure the degree to which they achieve those goals. This discipline not only documents effectiveness, but also helps the orga­nizations to refine the work they do and thereby begins a cycle of continuing improvement and greater success. A number of the best-run FBOs have started to apply this tool, speak highly of it, and, based on their experience in using it, are doing an even better job of serving the needy.

Isn't this great? How much more effective could faith-based groups be if they thought more about success in their efforts? I think churches shouldn't be afraid of asking questions like: Is the project worth the time and money? Could we be more effective in our methods. Faith-based organizations do great work, and this is the perfect tool for them.

The report is here.