In the last blog I looked at the first three of five characteristics which I consider to be particularly applicable to a secular agency namely:
1. Expertise
2. Resources
3. Size
4. Quick fix
5. Staff mobility
We will now look at the fourth and fifth characteristics.
Quick fix
An aid agency may be particularly good at providing a ‘quick fix’ solution to a problem. However, sustainability and [...]
Last time we looked at the statements that have a spiritual impact. In this final part of the series I list those statements that we would expect to apply to any work of this nature, whether Christian or secular, NGO or Aid Agency. These are coloured green in the PowerPoint presentation.
9. Who?
It is clear who [...]
Continue reading about Ministry Health Check pt 6 - The ‘NGO’ statements
What are the other statements?
Having shared some examples of statements let me now provide the full list in this and the next posting. Written here they seem somewhat overwhelming but please do not be put off!
For clarification on any of these please refer to the series which I posted Sept - Dec 2009 where I [...]
Continue reading about Ministry Health Check pt 5 - The ’spiritual’ statements
The Process
When launching a Health Check I first encourage all team members to rate the statements individually, before meeting together. I urge them not to think too deeply; respond to the first impression they may have about a particular statement and its relevance to their particular ministry.
When the team does come together they then take [...]
Continue reading about Ministry Health Check Pt 4 - the Process
The value of grading
We ended the last posting discussing grading of the various statements. Recently I was leading a workshop in Zimbabwe on the Ministry Health Check. I asked participants to work in ministry teams but to score these statements as individuals before starting any discussion. I was surprised to find that some members on [...]
Continue reading about Ministry Health Check Pt 3 - A working illustration
In the first post of this new series I introduced the concept of a Ministry Health Check using the Key Indicators of Good Practice which have been discussed previously.
What is the purpose?
The Key Indicators have application in two areas: 1) Planning and 2) Evaluation. For planning they underpin more formal planning practices, as described [...]
Continue reading about Ministry Health Check Part 2 - Getting started
A visit to the Doctor
Recently I had a health check with my doctor. I had no reason to think there was anything wrong and I am glad to say his questioning demonstrated that to be the case. Nevertheless, as he asked me questions about my life-style, sleep patterns and so on it caused me to [...]
Continue reading about Ministry Health Check pt 1 - Introduction
So far we have seen the importance of clearly defining goals at different levels and the associated assumptions we are making if they are to be achieved. These columns are the first and fourth columns in a 4×4 matrix.
To complete the matrix we must separate these two columns and insert two more. These additional columns [...]
Continue reading about Planning for Ministry Pt 10 – Monitoring the Logframe
Having seen the importance of recognising the assumptions we are making in planning a specific ministry we will now return to the example we have been using to illustrate how to use the Logframe, the ministry among homeless people in Brighton. We will consider some of the assumptions that must apply for success at each [...]
Continue reading about Planning for Ministry Pt 9 - Logframe Assumptions pt 2
Assumptions and Risk
In order to carry out specific activities and to reach certain goals there are, inevitably, assumptions that have to be made. Indeed, not only is it important to be aware of these assumptions as the one leading the ministry but any potential donor is also interested as they represent the level of risk [...]
Continue reading about Planning for Ministry Pt 8 - Logframe Assumptions pt 1
