Measuring Success

February 19, 2010

I recently read a great blog titled “Consumerism vs. Community”. This might be a little off the subject, but I’d like to share the thoughts it brought up in my mind.

The blogger writes about a rather large church with incredibly engaging services and an appealing environment. Attendance was in the thousands, and people were excited to be there. But he says something significant was missing– community. Here’s where I really started thinking and I couldn’t help but wonder- In most of our churches today do we realize just how important community is? Kevin Ford says “The quality of community is the quintessential test of the health of a church”. That’s pretty strong, but is he right?

I’m really not trying to be judgmental here, but honestly, when I look at most churches today I see a lot of things, but I don’t see strong community. This seems to be true regardless of the denominational affiliation, worship style, or the major demographic of the church. It seems to me that most churches are a loose connection of attenders that work together on certain projects but then go back to their individualness (I think I made up that word) for the rest of their week. I really sat and asked myself: Is this ok? Is there a problem with this pattern? Does this really affect the health of the church?

In terms of institutional health- numerical growth, financial growth, #’s of ministries (Pilates classes to food pantrys), etc… I don’t think this pattern of individualness makes much of a difference. I think this list can be measured on opposite ends of the healthy church spectrum with the same missing ingredient of community. But, in terms of real SPIRITUAL health, I really believe community is vital. The Body of Christ (The Church) is all about community: Deep meaningful relationships that transcend musical preference (disguised as worship style), age, career field, skin color, etc… The Apostle Paul spoke over and over about this. Read what he said to the Ephesians, and to the Corinthians.

So, should we work hard to create excellent environments on Sundays? Absolutely! I believe that is a key component of reaching our unchurched friends and I believe it honors God. However, we can’t use those environments as a gauge for success. Success within Christ’s Church is much more difficult to measure than that. So, just maybe, a great starting point for determining success is looking at the depth of the relationships that are being formed within the church. Maybe it’s through these relationships that we begin to love each other as we would love ourselves. And maybe, just maybe, that love is attractive to unbelievers.

Are you working to intentionally build strong relationships with the people God has put before you? I know I have a lot of work to do, but my deepest desire is that we would see our local church become a body of believers that genuinely loves each other and loves those around us. Love isn’t what we feel, it’s what we do.

I don’t know how to measure it, but somehow I think we’ll know if we achieve it.

Shaun

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