03.17.10
Intangibles... Are These the Unseen, Immeasurable, Unmistakable Necessities?
I am a church consultant. The role God has placed me in is that of helping churches realize and embrace their present reality and move them to an even more effective one
But how do we judge “effective?” In too many circles, if the truth were known, church leadership marks effectiveness in the following ways.:
· How many people show up at weekend services?
· What percentage of our congregation is in Sunday School or a small group?
· Are we meeting budget so we can fund our programs?
· Is there a building project in process?
· How many people have we baptized in the last 12 months?
· Did the pastor and staff receive raises this fiscal year?
In most of the churches consultants are asked to grow these numbers or help churches get to the point that they can do these things.
I’ve been pondering lately… Are these the expectations that prove a church’s (or a staff’s) effectiveness. A quick read of the New Testament might foster a rethink. I’m wondering about each of these and would love your input. I’ve restated these goals and then given some thoughts on each one.
· How many people show up at weekend services?
In the first century there were no weekend services. There were gatherings in the temple courts made up of people wildly electrified by the chaos the Holy Spirit was creating. I’d be nearly certain that no-one was counting noses to see if more were in attendance this week than last week.
· What percentage of our congregation is in Sunday School or a small group?
The entire church was made up of people meeting in homes. Every group was a small group and most church historians tell us that every house church was considered a church. Percentage of the church in a small group… 100%.
· Are we meeting budget so we can fund our programs?
Meet budget, programs? Here’s what the Bible says… There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Acts 4:34-35
· Is there a building project in process?
There were no buildings until about 312 A.D. Yet the church grew from an estimated 25,000 to 20,000,000 between the time of the resurrection of Jesus and Constantine legalizing Christian worship.
· How many people have we baptized in the last 12 months?
This is a very important question and perhaps the one we should truly consider but in many church circles this one isn’t nearly as important as all of the rest.
Please don’t get me wrong. I’m not questioning the role of the church as she is today. I am revealing thoughts that flood my mind. I’m wondering if the greater markers of church effectiveness, if the New Testament is the guide, would be the following.:
· Are we experiencing the work of the Holy Spirit in power?
· Is the church praying believing and expecting God to do things greater than she could do in her our own power?
· Is the gospel of Jesus Christ being talked about openly by non-pastor types as they go about doing life every day?
· Is the church experiencing unity? That is, are individuals asking for, giving and receiving forgiveness from and for one another when conflict arises?
· Is the church's first utilization of tithes and offerings utilized to meet the needs of one another and people in the community where Christ has placed His church or has the funding of programs trumped this?
· Are groups of believers gathering together in homes for meals, prayer, and for discussions concerning Jesus and His words?
· Does the church cherish, respect, and follow the church leadership understanding that they are chosen by and accountable to God for the oversight of His bride the church?
· Is church leadership living and leading like the apostles… consistently studying, living, and teaching the truths found in God’s Word (not just the theological perspective taught to them in the tradition of their denomination), meeting with and mentoring others, spending meaningful time in passionate prayer, doing ministry without expecting to live extravagant lifestyles, being models of believers trusting God to work miracles, and willing to die for the cause of Christ?
These ponderings sometimes haunt me. How about you?
Rick, these are the same questions I often find echoing in my own mind. More than that, as you have pointed out, these seem to be the questions, or matters, set before us in scripture. You have brought it out clearly and graciously. Thanks.