A presentation done at Christian Connections for International Health in June, 2010. It focuses on developing a theological understanding to motivate and provide perspective on evaluation as we seek to assess the ends of our work in health and our progress towards them.
1. Aligning the "ends" of our programming with God's "ends" for creation A “theology” of program planning and evaluation Christian Connections for International Health June, 2010 Robb Davis
2. “ There is nothing so practical as a good theory” Social Psychologist Kurt Lewin “ There is nothing so practical as good theology ” But wait… isn’t this session to be concrete, practical?
3. Eschatology - the key to defining God’s ends Ecclesiology - the path of faithfulness in pursuing God’s ends Pneumatology - the power for accomplishing God’s ends Key Terms:
7. Results Eschatological vision--God’s “Ends” For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him (Jesus), and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself , having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:19-20) Micah 4:4 - Security--personal and food Luke 4:17ff - “Jubilee”--economic justice, freedom from oppression Revelation 22:2 - Healing--end of conflict, health Micah 4:3 - Peace Hebrews 10 - “Powers” defeated
8. Faithfulness Ecclesiological commitments as key to faithfulness Discernment (giftedness) Confession Repentance Change Using the TOOLS of evaluation: qualitative interviewing, PLA, rapid health surveys, participatory evaluation, MSC, etc.
9. Results Lack of Results Faithfulness Unfaithfulness Pneumatology the space for the Spirit’s power to bring change
10. Results Lack of Results Faithfulness Unfaithfulness Hebrews 11 and 12 space
Editor's Notes
Wow - aren’t the MDGs tough enough? The key here is not that we bring these things but that we align our day to day work realizing that this is our collective future. Always asking ourselves--is this consistent with God’s work. Always reminding ourselves about the true ends to which our work must logically fit. This is a spiritual discipline that must drive us forward.
Moving beyond the technical expertise needed for evaluation and seeing it as an essential way of building faithfulness to God’s plan. Again, language matters… We must move beyond a narrow focus on evaluation for the donor and see it as a part of our ongoing learning to lead us back to the true ends that God desires for the world. This is the path upon which faithfulness is built.
