Metrics for the Local Church
by Gary Johnson
Is your church counting “nickels, noses and notches?” Said in another way, is your church counting the offering, attendance and decisions (i.e., baptisms and transfer of membership)? If so, there is so much more to measure.
Far too many churches measure the effectiveness of their ministry only in terms of the number of people in the pew, the offering in the plate, and the people responding to the invitation. When we do so, we are saying to one another that these three things are only that which matter. We must measure what is important.
For example, if we struggle with our weight, we will—more than likely—get on the scales every morning. We measure what’s important. If we struggle with diabetes or high blood pressure, we will take periodic samples of our blood and take our blood pressure, for these indicators of health are important to us.
Similarly, we must measure far more than just “nickels, noses and notches.” Every elder team must determine what is important to the assessment of their congregation’s health and then measure those aspects of church life. When we do so, we are establishing a dashboard of metrics.
Metrics are units of measurement, and they are not limited to mathematics and science. Within the church there are many various metrics that help us measure the health of the church (see article on Assessing Church Health). Moreover, when we drive a vehicle, car manufacturers design a dashboard that provides continual information as to how well an engine is operation. A quick glance at the dashboard reveals far more than three simple metrics (i.e., gas gauge, speedometer, odometer). A driver can quickly see any number of metrics on the dashboard, such as oil pressure, engine temperature, RPMs, and more.
Elders need to identify and measure what’s important in the local church they lead and then establish a dashboard of metrics that will periodically reflect this information. Then, using this information, elders can make far more effective leadership decisions that will enable the church to maintain and increase momentum in moving the Kingdom of God forward in their locale.
What’s important to ministry?
Elders should be concerned about…
Evangelistic outreach, both locally and globally
Spiritual growth
Ministry to and among the next generation
Volunteerism
Pastoral care of people
Relational health among believers
Community service and outreach
Personal financial stewardship
And more.
If these issues are important to elders, they must begin to measure ministry activity in each category. A dashboard of metrics should ask and answer questions such as…
How many people know their spiritual gifts?
How many people are serving, using their gifts?
How many people are being discipled?
What kind of discipling groups are available?
How many children and teens attend the church?
How many children and teens are coming to Christ?
How many in the next generation are serving?
How many young people are preparing for a life of full-time sacred vocation?
How many “Timothies” are from the congregation?
How many people are building a friendship with non-Christians in hopes of leading them to Christ?
How many people have completed evangelism training?
How many people are engaged in missions, both locally and globally?
How many people go on short-term mission trips each year?
How many people are in life-groups, small groups, Bible studies, etc.?
How many people are asking for care (i.e., hospital calls, shut-in calls, benevolence, marriage/family help, addictions recovery, etc.)?
How many and how often do community outreach events occur?
How many giving units actively contribute?
How many giving units tithe?
What is per-capita giving in the church?
These questions—and more—can be reflected on an dashboard of metrics that are actually helpful in assessing the health of the local church. Elders must work with the staff team and other key volunteers to gather this information on a timely and recurring basis. Once compiled, computer programs can then present the information in creative ways that compare and contrast them in a variety of formats (i.e., a year-at-a-glance, year-to-year comparisons, etc.).
Don’t limit yourselves to counting “nickels, noses and notches.” Measure what is important.
[This blog is Play #25 in An Elder’s Playbook (print / PDF).]
