{"id":31515,"date":"2022-09-10T15:33:24","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/9-wrong-ways-churches-measure-success\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:33:24","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:33:24","slug":"9-wrong-ways-churches-measure-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/9-wrong-ways-churches-measure-success\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Wrong Ways Churches Measure Success"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo by William Warby on Unsplash<\/div>\n

By Aaron Earls<\/em><\/p>\n

My 7-year-old likes to create her own games that inevitably\u2014regardless of how well I play\u2014end with her winning.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, many church leaders feel as if they are in a similar situation. No matter how well they do, they can never \u201cwin.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they finally achieve success in one area, they\u2019re told its actually in another area where the true goal lies.<\/p>\n

Constantly chasing one finish line after another wears church leaders down to the point they\u2019re tempted to give up and dismiss success as a real possibility for their congregation.<\/p>\n

Your church can be successful, but you have to avoid falling prey to any of these wrong measures.<\/p>\n

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1. Grabbing attention<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Some think if people are talking about their church, it\u2019s a good thing. They\u2019ll do an outlandish sermon series or insane events to garner a headline on the local news.<\/p>\n

But at some point, you can only do so much before people start to look for substance and not just flash.<\/p>\n

Churches shouldn\u2019t necessarily avoid media attention, but they also shouldn\u2019t judge success based on the number of media mentions.<\/p>\n

2. Good reputation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Other churches recognize that all news is not good news, but as long as people in the community think well of them, everything is great.<\/p>\n

In general, that should be true of churches, but biblical convictions will often place congregations in opposition to many in their communities.<\/p>\n

3. Big budget<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Having significant resources can help a church fund needed projects and meet needs within the congregation and community. There’s nothing inherently wrong with a large budget.<\/p>\n

There is something wrong, however, with judging a church\u2014either yours or someone else\u2019s\u2014based on how much they have in the bank.<\/p>\n

4. Large building<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Similar to big budgets, having a large building and facilities can be a blessing to your church and your community.<\/p>\n

But your building\u2019s size has no direct bearing on your success in God\u2019s kingdom.<\/p>\n

5. Creative practices<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In some congregations, creativity is paramount, and they\u2019re constantly looking for ways to express it. They have the best and latest music and arts in their worship services.<\/p>\n

Being made in the image of a creative God, creativity is a good thing, but it cannot be the ultimate thing.<\/p>\n

6. Cultural influence<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Many church leaders believe their congregation should be driving the culture of the community. People should look to the church when making societal decisions.<\/p>\n

Obviously, this can be a good thing and may be the result of a successful church, but it cannot be the goal as this would make churches suffering persecution automatic failures.<\/p>\n

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See also  What Sparks Evangelical Generosity? Discipleship<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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7. Growing attendance<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Every church probably wants to grow, and it clearly was part of the New Testament church. \u201cEvery day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved\u201d (Acts 2:47).<\/p>\n

Yet, we shouldn\u2019t make numerical growth a prerequisite for a successful church. So many other factors, including some beyond the congregation\u2019s control, play a role in attendance growth.<\/p>\n

8. Effective outreach<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Every church should want effective outreach to its community, but churches shouldn’t consider that the ultimate goal.<\/p>\n

Your church could be bringing in hundreds of people, but what are they hearing when they come and are they growing as disciples?<\/p>\n

9. Doctrinal purity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For many conservative evangelical churches this may be the most tempting wrong measure of success.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not to say a successful church will have poor doctrine, but right theology alone isn’t enough.<\/p>\n

Paul told the Corinthians their spiritual achievements and accolades meant nothing if they didn\u2019t have love.<\/p>\n

A doctrinally-sound congregation that has no love for each other or those around them cannot be considered a success no matter how tightly they hold to their theological convictions.<\/p>\n

The right measure of success<\/strong><\/h3>\n

So if all those are the wrong measurements, what makes a church successful? Faithfulness.<\/p>\n

In many instances, that faithfulness will result in many of the wrong measures of success.<\/p>\n

A faithful church will definitely have right theology, but that congregation will also be concerned with their reputation among outsiders.<\/p>\n

The successful, faithful church may be growing in attendance, but it will probably be through new converts more than church-hoppers.<\/p>\n

As a faithful church, they\u2019ll have effective outreach, but those new people will also be taught good theology and will grow as disciples.<\/p>\n

Churches should strive to remain faithful to Scripture and what God has called each congregation to do.<\/p>\n

Sometimes churches may need help identifying just how faithful they are. Thankfully, there are assessment tools to help church leaders better determine this.<\/p>\n

But churches should be striving for faithfulness and avoid placing any of the other measurements as the final arbiter of their success.<\/p>\n

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Aaron Earls<\/h2>\n

@WardrobeDoor<\/p>\n

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Aaron is a writer for LifewayResearch.com.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n