All congregations are in need of periodic assessments that determine how well they are living into their mission and vision for their futures. There are countless ways a church can do assessments. The Diocese of Texas provides and recommends some particular tools that can be utilized for this purpose. In addition, trained coaches can be assigned to a congregation to follow up on the results to assist the congregation in strategizing for its future. A particular type of assessment can also be done through performance review work. Please note the variety of resources available to assess different aspects of congregational life.

The following are assessments and tools designed by the Diocese of Texas

Ministry Matters!  Mutual Ministry Review
A facilitated process to review congregational ministry that engages people in reflection and meaningful conversation and sets plans for future ministry. It honors the ministries being carried out and builds on what is most valuable in order to enliven the church for the future. The process can be narrow or broad to fit the congregation. It includes broad-based feedback, reflection and concrete planning. This work requires the assistance of a Diocese of Texas congregational coach and is carried out in a number of meetings.

12 Marks of Healthy Church Behavior and Assessment Tool
This simple tool can be used by a vestry or bishop’s committee that desires to take a quick look at its internal ministries, rate them and create reflection that can lead to necessary changes and development for the congregation. It can be used yearly as part of an annual assessment and planning session.

Christian Formation Assessments
Onsite assessment developed specifically to assist congregations in the Diocese of Texas to look at their current formation opportunities, to make specific recommendations and to offer resources.

Invite, Welcome, Connect Assessments
These tools are primarily intended to be used for a comprehensive evaluation of your congregation’s newcomer ministry efforts. Utilization of these tools help to cultivate new practices of invitation, welcome and connection in your congregation. The best use of these newcomer assessment materials is through a collaborative endeavor, including your congregation’s clergy, paid and/or volunteer staff, vestry, and select lay leadership. In addition, Invite, Welcome, Connect coaches are available to assist with your congregation’s assessment of its newcomer ministry.

Performance Review Forms

• Vestry/Bishop’s Committee Feedback Form – an assessment tool to help a vestry/bishop’s committee member reflect on their ministry over the previous year in addition to creating an agreement for the next year of elected service.
• Clergy Performance Review Form - provides an opportunity for reflection, valuation, and discussion of the overall work of clergy in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. The performance review is designed to be used in an open, two-way communication format highlighting achievements and strengths, as well as under-utilized capabilities and opportunities for development.
• Staff Performance Review Form - provides an opportunity for reflection, valuation, and discussion of the overall work of church staff in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. The evaluation is to be carried out by the Rector, Staff Member to whom the person reports, or Senior Warden with input from other people selected by the staff member being reviewed and by the reviewer. 
• Lay Leader Reflection and Feedback Form – an assessment tool to help a lay leader reflect on their specific ministry over the previous year in addition to creating an agreement for a future year of service if desired.

Links to Additional Resources for Assessment

Renewal Works
A spiritual life inventory intended to provide an opportunity to explore where members and their congregations are in their spiritual journeys followed by workshops that help a congregation chart specific next steps to deepen their spiritual life and have spiritual growth become the focus of the congregation. This work is based on significant research in American churches but designed specifically for the Episcopal Church.

The Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT)
A significant benchmarked survey developed by Holy Cow Consulting which provides a comprehensive assessment into the life of a congregation. It has been used in over 3000 churches and is utilized in most rector search processes in the Diocese of Texas.  

The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI)
The IDI is a widely used assessment tool which can assist individuals and the leaders in a congregation to understand their intercultural competency and readiness to support the development of intercultural ministry. This work is assisted by the Missioner for Multi-Cultural Ministry, Denise Trevino, a trained administrator of this survey.