Evaluation Form for Church Musicians

This tool is designed to facilitate a constructive dialogue between church musicians and a representative group of the people they serve. An evaluation process should, more than anything else, be an opportunity to reaffirm a commitment to mutual ministry. Any formal evaluation will be most successful if immediate feedback is provided on a regular basis, and there are no known conflicts to address. Even in a positive environment, such a process is best handled with the help of an independent facilitator who can assist the musician and the congregation to focus their thoughts, hopes and concerns.

Evaluation Form for Church Musicians

The musician should provide his or her responses first. Then the members of the committee working on the evaluation will take the time necessary to review carefully the completed form and submit any relevant questions they have, or any additional points they wish to rise, to the facilitator prior to the joint evaluation meeting.

The purpose of this process is to:
		Place the evaluation dialogue within the context of mutual ministry ("how are we doing?");
		Place the emphasis on a vision for the future;
		Facilitate an open and compassionate dialogue; and
		Avoid inappropriate emphasis and reliance on highly individualized, subjective opinions, which may - or may not -be grounded in the present position description, or the congregation's vision for ministry.

 

Comments or conversations about specific musical selections should center around their propriety to the liturgical season or the specific theme of the day, rather than their perceived Ccappeal," In this way, those who embark upon this process are participating in a mutual faith journey, which points to the implementation of mutually-agreed goals. Such an approach can do much to build up the community of faith, and can also help to avoid any feelings of negativity or defensiveness.

1. Based on the position description, the primary responsibilities in my area of
ministry are:

2. What I need from the congregation, the Worship Committee, the Session and the
minister in order to fulfill these responsibilities are:

items to consider include:
		The need for additional staff members -paid or volunteer;
		The finances of the music ministry, versus the expectations of the congregation;
		The amount of the salary versus the time required by the musician to complete the expected tasks;
		The level of qualifications and the years of experience of the musician;
		The instruments/equipment provided by the church in support of expectations.

 
3. What are the musician's activities or responsibilities outside the congregation, but
which support and enhance the ministry of music within it?

4. What I would appreciate from the congregation, the worship committee, the Session
and the minister to fulfill these outside responsibilities are:

5. Personal and professional accomplishments within my area of ministry during the past year (please focus on no more than four):

6. Personal assessments relating to achievements versus mutually agreed upon goals (what worked and what did not):

7. Personal and professional goals for the coming year (please focus on no more than
four in each area: these should be directly related to the position description):

8. Steps proposed to achieve these goals:

Signature of Musician: _________________________________________

Signature/s of Evaluation Committee Members: _________________________________________

_________________________________________     _________________________________________

_________________________________________     _________________________________________

_________________________________________     _________________________________________

Signature of Minister: _________________________________________

Date: _____________________________