In today’s world, that is a pretty easy question to answer. We simply determine what we want success to look like and measure the growth over a specific period. If the numbers increase to where we expect them or exceed our expectations, then we are successful. If they do not, then we are not successful.
In ministry, is this same approach a valid way to measure success? I think partially. After all, whether we like it or not, money is required for an individual or organization to flourish, so we have to have some way to measure a level of success. If a ministry cannot pay its bills, like most things in this world, it will not exist.
But the more I study how a ministry should measure success, the more I conclude that we should focus more of our measurements on our inputs and not the results of these inputs. After all, the Bible repeatedly reminds us that the outcome of our efforts is God's.
If we increase the number of sandwiches we give out, are we making more of a difference to those in need, or are there more people in need? I do not think it is wrong to celebrate that we achieved such growth, but it should be done within the context of how and why these numbers grew. What resources did we put into achieving these results, and what was the result of this growth? Did everyone get a raise, or were we able to bring more souls to Christ? Were we able to provide a safe space for more Christians to love those less fortunate, and as a result, more people took advantage of the opportunity to help their fellow human beings, or did we get to highlight that “we” saw 30,000 individuals in need?
"For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore, I command you, ‘you shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in your land.’" Deuteronomy15:11
How do you measure success? I would be happy to hear your comments to help us measure success as we move forward to fulfill our Vision and Mission at OIM.
~ Brian Griffin, Business Manager

コメント