Annual Review Document:
Achievements and Learning

The purpose of Section 1 of the Annual Review Document is to reflect upon the financial and ministry impact of Giving in Grace in the church. Completion of this section will be richly informed if the church has undertaken a full evaluation of the Giving in Grace programme.The first section of the Annual Review Document is divided into three distinct parts, the first two are addressed here.

1. Ministry goals and achievements
Alongside a positive financial impact, churches completing a Giving in Grace programme also reported the value of identifying and communicating key areas for ministry in the coming year. The culture of money talk changed and there were stories of new ministry and mission, some of which are reflected in the case studies on this site. Churches also identified areas where hopes and expectations were not met in full. An honest and thorough evaluation of Giving in Grace should assess areas of growth and areas that need attention.

2. Learning from the financial impact
The second part of section 1 reflects on the financial benefits accruing to a Giving in Grace programme, while also identifying areas still to be addressed. A single stewardship initiative cannot undo sustained neglect of the teaching and practice of Christian stewardship. This section of the Review document is intended for story telling and narrative reflection on the financial impact of Giving in Grace: How was the preaching received? Was the response disappointing from any segment of the congregation? This narrative review is complemented by a more analytical approach in Section 2 of the Annual Review Document and lessons learned should be written back into this part of section 1as the Annual Review Document is drafted.

3. Key areas of ministry
The final part of section 1 is the identification of key areas of ministry activity in the coming year. For advice on completing this section see the web page Planning for ministry.