A process evaluation of an initiative to promote and support lay-led family ministries

This research was a process evaluation of a program to promote and support family ministries in the churches of one state. The purpose of the study was to provide feedback that may aid staff as they seek to increase the effectiveness of the program and to identify key processes needed to make lay-led family ministry programs successful. The study was designed to be exploratory since this is a topic for which no previous research could be found in the literature. Topics for inquiry were based on a longitudinal study of program dissemination that served as a model for this study. The research was descriptive in nature, attempting to provide program staff with a description of actual program processes and stakeholders' reactions to these processes.; Two methods of data collection were used. Surveys were designed for each sub-sample group and mailed to 106 consultants, 216 volunteers, and 2 staff members. Consultants typically had some professional training in a field related to family ministry and served as unpaid mentors to volunteers. Local consultants and volunteers received cards requesting a follow-up interview to collect more in-depth data. The response to the surveys (n = 8%) was too low to be used alone as a reliable source of data. Surveys that were returned indicated a very low-rate of continued involvement with the program. The focus of the interviews was shifted from following up on survey topics to exploring topics of interest to the participants. Unstructured interviews were conducted, by telephone and in person, with 10 consultants and 10 volunteers. Findings from interviews indicated that very few respondents had carried out their designated roles in the program.; Findings suggest that an important first step is to help church staff and church membership understand how family ministry can fit with existing ministries in terms of its structure and its ideology. The research findings also indicate that laypeople need to be trained in the process and the content of family ministry. Process training should provide enough structure to guide participants in each phase of program development and implementation. It should also allow for flexibility to meet the needs of churches with varying needs and resources. The number of hours of training needed is still unknown, but this study suggests that training should be more extensive than the one or two-day programs provided to the consultant and volunteer groups. A strong network of support is also needed for non-professionals in family ministry. Support must be ongoing and easily accessible to provide lay leaders with continuing training, help in problem-solving, needed resources, and encouragement.