Pregnancy resource centers/clinics need to be evaluated on a regular basis. Evaluations tell us where we have been, how things are proceeding, and what adjustments might be needed before pressing forward. "Are we achieving our mission?" should be THE central question when evaluating your organization's journey.

An annual assessment should be done based on the organization's strategic plan. A great time is when the CEO or Executive Director is compiling the annual report for the board. From that evaluation, goals can be adjusted and reviewed monthly, quarterly, and semi-annually to bring about annual results. Small course corrections along the way are much less painful than a hard right turn at the end of the year! There are several national consultants who can visit your center, give objective recommendations, provide constructive challenges, then "walk with you" as you grow and develop.

Successful evaluations involve measuring the outcomes of each of your programs including crisis intervention, medical, parenting, abstinence and whatever other services your center offers. Here are some suggested measures your ministry should make:

• How many truly abortion-risk (especially abortion-minded) clients did we see?
• How many of them chose life?
• How many babies were placed for adoption?
• How many committed to abstinence, completed parenting classes or post-abortion recovery?
• How many individuals received Christ or recommitted their lives to Him?
• Do we identify potential improvement points shared by clients on their exit surveys?

Collecting this data requires accurate record-keeping, but once you have compiled the figures, USE them! Look for trends and continuously ask "how can we improve?" Do services need to be modified, eliminated or added? Are there successful models being used elsewhere? Remember to collect the anecdotal evidence of your client stories. Every statistic represents a story of a changed life through our work!

For a challenging read that will stretch your vision, you might want to check your local library for Mission Possible, by Ken Blanchard. While not a Christian book, per se, it may help you to evaluate how effectively your ministry is working on not only the present, but the future of your organization at the same time.

As always, statistics, measurables and outcomes must be kept in the context of a reflection of the "heart" of our work and the passion associated with being a board member and ministry leader. Those unexpected blessings God sends (we often call them miracles) must never be overlooked.

And don't forget to celebrate along the way – as you recognize the lives that have been impacted and changed as a result of your work, give praise and encourage one another. In this way, measuring our ministry impact is recognition of the "blessing factor" of all the wonderful things that God has done!