Shared Outcomes Framework

The Shared Outcomes Framework is a menu of 12 outcome areas most commonly sought from projects funded by the Diocesan Investment Programme (DIP). Each outcome area has indicators with clear definitions, tools and methodologies to enable some consistent measurement across different projects around the country.

Having projects using the framework will improve learning and impact from DIP by providing easier comparison between projects, the impact of the funding programme as a whole and quality local measurement.

The Shared Outcomes Framework has been developed for the use of projects funded by DIP, SDF and other funding overseen by the national church’s Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB). SMMIB-funded projects integrate the relevant outcomes into their project measurement. Other churches or projects are also free to use any of the material for their own measurement purposes if they wish.

The Shared Outcomes Framework is now available to be used and will continue to be developed over coming months. The 12 outcome areas have been identified, with the first five outcomes having had indicators defined. Indicators for the second five outcomes are currently being developed. Guidance material and tools for using the framework will continue to be developed and made available from this page.

Attendance change measures the size of a church or new worshipping community using the worshipping community measure as defined in Statistics for Mission.

Visit the Attendance change page to find:

• Definition guidance – the definition of the outcome area, its indicators and an outline explanation of how it should be measured and what is included
• Further guidance – frequently asked questions about the definition and indicators, and suggested good practice for measurement
• Worshipping Community Count Tool – an optional tool that can be used by churches to help measure the size of their worshipping community by listing individuals within it.

Number of new worshipping communities counts the number of newly started new worshipping communities from a project. Visit the Number of new worshipping communities page to find:

• Definition guidance – the definition of the outcome area, its indicators and some outline explanation of how it should be measured and what is included
• Coming soon – Further guidance – Frequently asked questions about the definition and indicators, and suggested good practice for measurement
• Coming soon – Tools – An optional basic template for counting of new worshipping communities from a project by listing those that exist.

Number of new leaders counts the number of people who have for the first time stepped into recognised leadership in a church context through the work of a project. Visit the Number of new leaders page to find:

• Definition guidance – the definition of the outcome area, its indicators and some outline explanation of how it should be measured and what is included
• Coming soon – Further guidance – Frequently asked questions about the definition and indicators, and suggested good practice for measurement
• Coming soon – Tools – An optional basic template for counting the number of new leaders from a project, and questions for gathering demographics data.

Financial sustainability measures a church or project’s total giving, number of regular givers, and local church’s annual support or investment. Visit the Financial sustainability page to find:

• Definition guidance – the definition of the outcome area, its indicators and an outline explanation of how it should be measured and what is included
• Coming soon – Further guidance – Frequently asked questions about the definition and indicators, and suggested good practice for measurement
• Coming soon – Tools – A simple template for recording a log of the ‘other public confessions of faith’ indicator.

Numbers new to faith counts the number of baptisms and confirmations (and other first-time public confessions of faith where baptism or confirmation would not be appropriate).

Visit the Numbers new to faith page to find:

• Definition guidance – the definition of the outcome area, its indicators and some outline explanation of how it should be measured and what is included
• Further guidance – frequently asked questions about the definition and indicators, and suggested good practice for measurement
• Tools – a simple template for recording a log of the ‘other public confessions of faith’ indicator.

The next five outcomes are currently being developed and will appear on this page when completed. They are:

• Scale of community engagement
• Scale of evangelism
• Scale of discipleship groups
• Individual discipleship
• Demographics

The final two outcomes will be developed later in 2025:

• Resilience and impact of leaders
• Changed church practices.