Let’s be honest. We are all tempted to cut a corner or two when we think the work is boring. Why spend valuable ministry time and energy – which is always in short supply – doing something that sounds tedious? Yet many ministries are not nearly as impactful as they could be in part because they would rather make assumptions than do real research.
”But,” you may be thinking, “we know our people better than anyone. We know who they are, where they are and what they need.” Perhaps you do, but for many ministries I have encountered, they are terribly wrong in their assumptions and they are hurting their ministry.
For example, I was talking with a children’s minister in one congregation. We were discussing the possibility of using faith based tutoring as an outreach tool. She assured me that they didn’t have any kids near their church building and that most of the kids that were in the area came from wealthy families who did not need the help. Yet a quick search online revealed that they had an elementary school just blocks from their building that had a high percentage of Federal student lunch kids (an indication of poverty), as well as a high student population of children where English was not spoken in the home. In short, an ideal location for faith based tutoring.
I have encountered this so many times, that I am beginning to do my own research when I visit a new location to mentor a ministry. I may not have time to do the thorough research they need to do, but I can at least have a decent idea if their assumptions are even close to reality.
So what type of research do you need to do? There are three basic types that may help you the most.
- Government and other statistics. Bear in mind these statistics are often very optimistic – especially in other countries. They will help you, though, get a decent perspective of your target population and the main issues that are impacting them.
- Organizations already in the area. Who better to tell you the problems local children are facing than the local school or a social worker in the area. Don’t forget other ministries, nonprofits and NGO’s. They can also help you identify needs that aren’t currently being met by other groups. This prevents you from being frustrated because you are attempting to start something another group has been doing for years, while another need is going unmet and might better help you achieve your goals.
- Potential constituents. Who better to tell you what their kids need than their parents or even the kids themselves? They can also share the mistakes others make and how to break through any barriers in the community. Plus, they will be more open to your help if you have showed you cared enough to really listen to their concerns and hopes.
It may seem boring and tedious, but doing your research can make your ministry exponentially more impactful. It’s worth carving out the time to do it well.