The Ministry Collaborative has long been engaged in exploration and conversation about metrics. Metrics of “success” are complex when it comes to church and ministry. How do you measure the vitality of a congregation? was a question posed by staff member Ryan Bonfiglio earlier this year in his article, Measuring the Things That Matter. TMC also recorded and released a podcast discussion on outdated modes of measuring ministry and how we might evaluate through a different interpretive lens, Maybe Jesus Got It Right – A Round Table Conversation on Metrics.
We continue the conversation by sharing the perspectives and insights of ministry leaders across the country through their responses to key questions. This week we asked:
What’s worth measuring? What are some conventional metrics that need to be critiqued, revised, or discarded?
Overall, there is a recognition that evaluation and review are necessary and important – keeping us accountable, informed, and helping us discern the way forward. However, identifying what we measure – and how we measure it – can be challenging.
Joe Clifford, Myers Park Presbyterian, Charlotte, NC, “Participation is important—[you’ve] got to know if people are interested in what you’re doing. What you’re doing is more important— [but it’s] very difficult to measure spiritual maturity. Lots of participation doing something that’s not gospel centered is not success. Community impact is another important measure. Other than your members, who would miss you if you didn’t exist?”
Marthame Sanders, Producer, Consultant, Ordained Minister, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Atlanta, GA, was curious about using qualitative methods in new and creative ways in an effort to gain better insight into ministry effectiveness and reach.
“I wonder about measuring property usage as a percentage of time each week, and what that can teach us about stewardship. I also would be curious to know how many touches are taking place beyond the church membership for purposes beyond evangelism (e.g., meetings and interactions with school principals, elected and appointed officials, small business owners, community organizers, etc.)”
Ministry leaders are starting to push back on the often-used metrics of bodies, budgets, and buildings. There is a conviction that, at the very least, these metrics be applied – and the resulting data be considered – in different and/or expanded ways.
JaCynthia Bailey, Minister,Co-Founder of The Bailey Network, Durham, NC, “I believe church membership needs to be critiqued and measured in a new way. Not just counting names on a roster but actual involvement. Discipleship and Evangelism needs to be measured in ways that help the body of Christ stay healthy in their personal relationship with Christ and a strategy that lends to growing the body.”
Megan Johnson, Pastor, Clairmont Presbyterian, Atlanta, GA. “Until we can embrace the value of congregations of all sizes, we need to stop measuring the value and worth of a congregation by the number of members. Some churches are powerful forces for good (even if in small ways) in their communities without topping 200 members. Yet, we live in a culture that measures worth by size ~ size of worship, size of staff, size of budget. A congregation can give away hundreds of thousands of dollars and impact the community financially. Another congregation can organize 15 members to serve as after school tutors for elementary school children and build meaningful friendships without contributing a dime. Perhaps the best metric is that attributed to Tertullian: “But it is mainly the deeds of a love so noble that lead many to put a brand upon us. ‘See,’ they say, ‘how they love one another’ (for they themselves hate one another); ‘and how they are ready to die for each other’ (for they themselves are readier to kill each other). Thus, are we [Christians] praised.“”
Of course, there is inevitably a question – or at least a curiosity – about what can and cannot be measured when it comes to ministry. There may be vital and valuable desired outcomes that we simply cannot assess well, if at all.
Joe Scrivner, Pastor Brown Memorial Presbyterian, Dean of Stillman Chapel, Tuscaloosa AL “I’m not sure about this one. What is the best way to measure whether people feel spiritually fed and led? How can the level of joy in their congregation be best assessed? Likewise, how can excitement to share about the ministry with others be measured and addressed?”
And finally, it is important to recognize the power of witness and storytelling. Arguably a form of qualitative reporting, such testimony bears witness to God’s ongoing work in our lives, in our communities, and in our world.
Adam Mixon, Pastor, Zion Spring Baptist Church, Content Curator, The Ministry Collaborative, Birmingham, AL, “Stories of healing, transformation, restoration, faithfulness, and endurance. These are what must be curated and celebrated.”
What do you think is worth measuring? We’d love to hear from you!
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