b'GO FROM GOOD TO GREAT WITHEvaluationsBefore you decide to go back to the way you ran your ministry pre-pandemic or make plans to continue what you did this past year, its important to take time to evaluate your current situation. Evaluations help you identify needs and areas for improvement, and they can help you meet your goals more effectively. As you conduct yourevaluations, consider the impact your ministry has had, especially on the people who were directly affected by changes you made during the pandemic: your leaders, families and children. Because deciding what to evaluate can become overwhelming, well get you started with questions in the areasof self, church leadership, volunteers, families and general ministry.You may want to go through the evaluation on your own; but at some point, gather with othersperhaps yourkey leaders (your guiding coalition), your families or your church leadershipand find out what they think.Their perspectives are valuable. Bring God into the process and be open to what He wants you to do in the new ministry year. When all the evaluations are done, jot down next steps. If you plan on making changes to your ministry, be sure to clearly communicate those to anyone who will be impacted.As a follow-up, make several appointments throughout the year to run through the evaluation process again, using these questions and any others you come up with. Note any additional thoughts or changes each time you gather.SELFAfter a difficult year, how is your heart and attitude toward childrens ministry? Are your attitudes helping or hindering your ministry?Are you connected to God and your churchs vision? If not, what steps can you take to align?Who is in your guiding coalitionyour team of people who can define reality, be on their knees prayingfor you and speaking the truth to you in love? If you dont have one, ask God to identify people to makeup your coalition.NEXT STEPS: 5'