BENCHMARK
Benchmarking is often described as a method of developing requirements and the setting of goals to assure the best possible performance.
The first step is to determine what is to be measured. This is perhaps the most critical issue of the entire process. Every ministry must be reviewed to determine its compliance with the core values of prayer, leadership development, and harvesting (outreach/church planting) efforts.
The benchmarking process encompasses five stages of development:
1. Planning
Identify areas to be benchmarked.(Examples: worship attendance, membership, financial budgeting).Determine what method will be used to collect data (monthly, quarterly, annual reports) compared to other church/groups of similar ministry philosophy.
2. Analysis
After gathering data, a comparison should be made of different time periods (monthly, quarterly, annually) with like-kind time periods in both the recent and distant past.Projections should be made for improvement in each area studied, setting desired goals, in realistic, and attainable measured increments.
3. Integration
Results should then be communicated to the constituency.Every method of communication possible should be utilized to focus the constituency on the goals, with regular updates of progress toward implementation of our core values.
4. Action
Develop action plans to implement changes to any program or ministry that do not support the core values of prayer, leadership development, and harvest. This may mean the creation of new ministries, or the cessation of existing ministries that are not in alignment.
Monitor benchmarks previously identified to ensure progress, with regular updates to the constituency.Recalibrate benchmarks to ensure the progress of the implementation of core values at all levels (local/translocal).
5. Maturity
The goals previously set are realized.
Core values are fully implemented, and the process is repeated.
Benchmark measures will be developed specifically by the International Offices, each area—district/state/region/nation, and local church.
