Measuring Up

I was talking with a Pastor friend of mine the other day over lunch, and in the course of sharing with each other, I think we stumbled onto something elegant and profound; so I wanted to share it here.

We took note that the majority of the global 'Church' measures its' effectiveness using draconian methods and processes that don't seem to support the great commission, or any of the original intentions of the early church.  We measure butts in seats, bucks in plates (the offering plate that is), attendance at events, testimonies (which we really don't believe in most cases), bills paid for 'church' property, the size of our buildings and physical footprint, our degrees, our titles, how long we've been 'serving', yada, yada, yada.

Most of you recognize those terms and would probably agree that we, especially in ministry, view the effectiveness of our campaigns in the world in those terms. They make up the collective filter that we view the world through.  They drive our behavior, and therefore our results; but most disturbing to me, is that most of us never even give it a second thought, or question the validity of such limiting measures.  We are told by those in charge however, that this is practical reality, and that we must fund the enterprise, and resource the gospel, and practically provide a place for us all to meet, and give people opportunities to serve - blah, blah frikken blah - its insanity.!

I know a good friend of mine in a little town called Gretna, VA., who has what would be considered by the majority of the church a relatively small and insignificant work, and I was sharing about it to this pastor that I was having lunch with.  I began to share the characteristics that I've noticed in that place; like whenever the food program loads up with food, the response blocks the roads in town causing police discomfort; like whenever these guys decide to do a concert or play music in the public, a sizeable turnout can be expected; like when folks in town decide they need someone to pray for them, they know to go to this pastor and/or his people; like the beautiful presence of the Lord that fills that little sanctuary when these people gather to worship Him, even though they aren't wealthy or lavish in their ability to provide fancy surroundings.  I rehearsed the fact that he has a fairly small group of people that are committed to living the lifestyle of the believer and that they can all preach/teach, minister and express the Kingdom of God in their community, or wherever they end up.

This pastor made a remarkable observation as I was talking; he says to me "ya know, I think I know someone just like that, that had almost the same type of ministry", and me being somewhat clueless still and slow on the uptake said 'really who'? He says to me 'His name is Jesus'.!  Profound.!  I'm pretty sure my friend in Gretna is in good company...  ;)

Makes you wonder where all the other 'organized' churches fall in relation to MEASURING UP.?  How do we measure our effectiveness as ambassadors for Christ?  How do we know we are doing the right thing, the right thing that is measured in eternal terms?   How do we stay encouraged when all the other churches are following the prescribed, ineffective methods that they follow, while it all may look great on the outside, it is considerably less effective from an eternal perspective? 

I think you get the picture.  Be encouraged beloved, 'church' leaders may be clueless, but there is a way and Jesus is not confused about the matter.  What makes Him pleased, what blesses Him, what matters most to Him; that is what we should be about, wouldn't you agree..?  Selah