HERO MAKER DAVE FERGUSON
When I was in seventh grade, the best ballplayer on my Deer Creek Junior High basketball team was Jerry McGee. Jerry was an amazing athlete for a 13-year-old, but in a game against our biggest rivals he got confused about which basket was ours. Jerry stole the ball and made a fastbreak layup … for the other team! The scoreboard didn’t lie. He had just scored two points for the other team. And then it got worse: He did it again.
Scoreboards Never Lie
A scoreboard never lies. Whether in basketball, baseball or football, it succinctly displays the outcome of the game. Similarly, it is essential for a church to have metrics that provide an accurate reflection of progress and impact. Without honest assessments, it’s challenging to gauge whether a church is winning or not.
Measuring What We Value
If we merely value butts in seats listening to a pastor give a talk, we should continue to measure only church attendance. If we only value getting a salary and the status quo, we should continue to measure only financial contributions. If we really do value disciple making and Jesus’ challenge to “go and make disciples” (Matt. 28:19), we must find a way to measure them. If we believe that we are to be “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14) that brings transformation to our communities, then we must measure it. If we are convinced the multiplication of churches like Jesus envisioned in Acts 1:8 is a missional imperative, let’s start measuring it. Simply put, we need to measure what we value.
What to Measure?
The adage “We will work toward what we measure” holds profound implications for churches. By prioritizing metrics that align with biblical values, we naturally steer our efforts toward fulfilling the mission of Jesus. Just as a marksman aims for the bull’s-eye, churches focus their energies on what they gauge as significant indicators of missional success.
Creating a Scoreboard
Developing a scoreboard is a challenge, but it can be done with a simple three-step approach:
Step No. 1: Define It.
Begin by clearly defining core concepts such as disciple making, community transformation and church multiplication. Clarify what these terms entail within your church’s context.
Step No. 2: Simplify It.
Streamline the definitions by identifying only the most critical characteristics. Simplification is key to maintaining clarity and ensuring that the metrics remain manageable.
Step No. 3: Measure It.
Once defined and simplified, establish concrete methods for measuring progress. While this process may pose challenges, it’s indispensable for creating a scoreboard.
Embrace the Faithfulness Metric
Ultimately, faithfulness emerges as the ultimate metric in the kingdom of God. It’s not about achieving perfection or hitting arbitrary targets; it’s about remaining steadfast in our commitment to Jesus and his mission. Disciples are called to faithful stewardship, knowing that true victory lies in obedience to God’s call.
Keeping Score
Let’s make sure we are scoring points for the right team. How? By measuring what truly matters—disciple making, community transformation and church multiplication. When churches do the hard work of creating a biblical scoreboard they will move forward with meaningful impact. Let’s measure what matters while leveraging God’s grace to transform lives, our communities and the world.