In a recent post on X, Luke Simmons offered five questions that most pastors don’t consider as often as we should when assessing last Sunday’s services.
His ideas were so helpful I asked his permission to republish them. (His original post is at the end of this article.)
— Karl Vaters
Early in the week, most pastors evaluate the previous Sunday’s services.
We usually review transitions, song choices, announcements, and so on. And we should (if we want to improve).
But here are five more important church service evaluation questions for a pastor to answer:
1. How well did I listen in interpersonal conversations?
It’s easy to be shifty and ready to move to the next person. It’s easy to look over someone’s shoulder at other folks walking by.
But a mark of love and care is listening well — even in small talk.
2. How was my preparation?
If I prepared well, I can handle that it didn’t turn out perfectly. But if my preparation was lazy or hurried, it’s a chance to adjust.
It’s also worth thinking about whether I prepared well for the other service elements besides the sermon. Lots of pastors work hard to prepare the sermon and then wing everything else (and it shows).
3. Was I able to engage in heartfelt worship or was I distracted by my responsibilities?
Yes, when you’re a pastor it’s often different — there are more things to pay attention to. But it’s worth considering whether my sermon or tasks got in the way of my worship.
We want to get to a place where, more often than not, we can pour ourselves out in worship.
4. Did I have meaningful conversations with new people?
Let’s be honest. A lot of what makes people stick at a church is a connection with the pastor.
Every week I want to not just meet new people, but take more of an interest in them than they expect.
5. How well did I “leave it at the field”?
Playing college baseball taught me that, whether I was 4-for-4 or 0-for-4, I had to “leave it at the field.”
As a pastor, I similarly have to be able to shift my focus and love my family — whether I crushed it or was crushed by it.
Healthy church leadership isn’t that complicated, but it does require intentionality.
(Photo by Neil Cummings | Flickr)
