By Charles ScottThe book UnChristian is gaining much attention. The author states on page 83, "We should measure success not merely by the size of our church or the number of baptisms or decisions, but also by the depth and quality of spiritual growth in people's lives."
While the author makes a strong point, is this a Scriptural truth? The Book of Acts measures decisions. The Early Church measured the number of baptisms. Also, how do your measure the depth and quality of spiritual growth in people's lives?
This is an issue I am struggling with. For years the PCG has measured the number of ministers and the number of churches as indicators of organizational health. Are these the proper measures? If not, what are the correct benchmarks to measure organizational health?
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I think numbers are proper measures, just not the only proper measures.
ReplyDeleteTo evaluate fishermen, you have to look at their catch. How many? How big? What kind? How often? It's all numbers.
Certain parts of Acts support the numbers game -- 3000 saved in Acts 2, 5000 in Acts 3-4, about 12 baptized with the Holy Ghost in Acts 19. There's even a story about "the one that got away" in Acts 26:28 -- "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian".
A popular business axiom says, "What gets measured gets done." I think its antithesis is where we get into trouble -- What does not get measured does not get done.
If we solely measure baptisms or conversions to the exclusion of any other markers of progress, then we wind up with preachers and congregations that are all about getting folks saved and baptized, perhaps to the exclusion of anything else.
The Great Commission, however, lays out some other markers:
- How many are going?
- How many disciples (as opposed to converts) are we making?
- How many were baptized?
- How much have they learned?
- How well are they observing Christ's commandments?
Acts 1:8 and 19:2 give another marker:
- How many believers have received the Holy Ghost?
Also in Acts 1:8:
- How many have testified of what Christ has done?
Ephesians 4:11-16:
- How unified are we?
- How much do we speak the truth in love?
- How well do we work together in increasing the body (of Christ)?
So... What could we count on a national level besides baptisms?
[Entering Brainstorm mode...]
Great Commission Questions:
- How many outreach events were hosted?
- What percentage of the church calendar was dedicated to outreach?
- What percentage of the church income was used for outreach?
- How many teachers are certified?
- How many small group leaders (e.g. teachers) track student progress using the Engle scale?
- How many churches have some sort of new-believers class?
- How long are those classes?
- What is our staff/attendee ratio?
- What is our volunteer/attendee ratio?
- How many divorces occurred in our churches?
- How many babies born to single parents?
- How many bankruptcies?
- How much debt have we accrued?
- How much in debt are our people?
(Note that high levels on some of these figures could mean we're effectively reaching people in trouble.)
- How many preachers have resigned due to moral failure?
Acts 1:8 Questions:
- How many miracles have been experienced?
- How many healings? What types of diseases?
- How many prophecies have been given?
- How many were fulfilled?
- How many demons have been cast out?
Ephesians 4 questions:
- How many church splits occurred?
- What percentage of church business meetings were peaceful?
- How many often have district staff members had to settle local church squirmishes?
- What percent of church members are involved in church ministry?
- What are our teacher-student ratios for nursery, youth, and adults?
- What are the demographics of our church volunteers (teens, adults, seniors, new converts, seasoned Christians)?
- How often have our pastors met together for prayer or fellowship?
- How often have our churches worked with other denominations to further Christ's cause in their cities?
Of course, we can't exactly send out questionaires asking all these questions. For one, folks might not like other people's noses in their business. For two, the questionaire might be so long that nobody would want to take the time to fill it out.
On the other hand, my dad often told me if I'd just shut up and listen, maybe I might learn something. If we can get folks talking on these topics and then sit back a listen, who knows what we'll learn.
Is it scriptural to measure something besides conversions?
ReplyDeleteSurely.
Paul's epistles don't say much about numbers, but he apparently did get reports on "depth and quality of spiritual growth in people's lives."
Eph 1:15 "...I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,"
1 Cor 5:1 "It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you..."
The key in the author's statements is that these numbers are "not merely" the only measures. Hence, they are part and valid, but not alone.
ReplyDeleteHow do you measure spiritual depth and health? Great questions. What does Scripture call spiritual depth and health? That's a place to start. Writers to consider today might be Richard Foster, Eugene Peterson, and most certainly Dallas Willard.
Not much specificity here, but maybe we can tease some more out over time through conversation.
How Do You Measure Success?
ReplyDeleteIs this Church or personal success or both
For personal : Living up to everything God want us to be.
and then came this scripture.
Luke 17:7-10
7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
KJV
I believe the intent is church success across all levels -- local, district, and national.
ReplyDeleteWhat could/should we measure to know if we're healthy?