In a nutshell, a split test is a hidden piece of web code that causes viewers to randomly be sent to one of two (or more) versions of a web page. The code tracks which version is more successful at getting you to purchase the product or take some other desired action. Surprisingly, something as simple as changing the color of a headline can lead to dramatically different sales results.

While researching this topic recently, I found this post on split testing your life. If you have some extra time right now, read it, then come back to this email. I’ll wait...

(cheerful whistling ensues...)

OK, done? So, what if you were to apply this idea to your ministry? Most of us have often wondered what really gets results, or what actions have the greatest impact. Imagine the possibilities you could split test in a church setting...

• Split test (over two months) two completely different styles of newsletters (email vs. print, after-the-fact story-based vs. upcoming-events-based, etc.) and see which one people comment on the most.
• Split test the structure of your day for two weeks straight so that you spend more time talking with people in person rather than by email. Journal about how it makes you feel about your ministry.
• Split test your youth group by moving the closing prayer at youth group to the beginning for a month, and see if it changes the general mood or focus of the youth.
• Split test your whole church. Collectively refrain from scheduling any ministry events or meetings for a whole semester except on Sunday mornings and one weeknight (gasp!), and see if the stress level increases or decreases.
• Split test your preaching or teaching. Use a different style, or proclaim more boldly your progressive theology for a month, then compare the response when you return to “normal” a month or two later.

Hopefully, you get the point: it’s a good thing to experiment, to think about how you measure your effectiveness, and to refine your techniques. So, what will you do that's...different? Share your ideas with others by posting a comment.