Measure of Success

Explaining this idea for the first time to an undergrad, it took some clarifying to convey the non-clubness of this gathering. While I want to host it weekly, people won't be required or guilt-tripped into being there every week. "Only come if the Spirit leads you. If you're not feeling it, then don't worry about it." I'm not sure if this perspective would be advocated by the evangelistic ideas about the necessary organicness of community gathering to become aware of God together. Actually, it is probably more aligned with that train of thought than the traditional church model that often measures spiritual growth using membership statistics.

Speaking of which, last night IVCF, the undergrad Christian organization, led a large-group activity about priorities of small groups using a competitive game with probable scenarios. With a limited amount of time, success was measured by the addition of club members. This reminded me of the chapter in "Organic Community" that challenges religious leaders to measure success differently. The author suggests that the goal of population growth forces the church to become attractional. Sweet would say that we need to do more than draw people in, we need to go out and make disciples! That sounds Biblical, doesn't it?

You may be wondering what my motivation for having such a perspective is. I want to put this whole worship experience into God's hands. May God bring whomever God wants to bring. May our conversation be led by God. May our worship be focused on God. May this be God's time.

You may also be wondering how I will measure success. I think successful ministry is more related to spiritual growth than population growth. Sure, spiritual growth is immaterial and difficult to measure. But are people trying to grow closer to God? Are they encouraged and loved? Are we seeking God's truth together? That is the type of community gathering I want to host. Perhaps I'll never know exactly how to measure success until I see God. I'll keep praying, trying to listen, studying and putting into action what I learn.