G. Charles
Sackett
e-mail:chuck@madisonparkchurch.com
_______________________________________________________
How do you measure spiritual growth? How do you determine if
transformation is taking place? What constitutes “success” in a congregation’s attempt to develop disciples? How do we know when we’re “getting there”?
The traditional measurements are easy. Five years ago we were averaging 160 adults in discipleship classes (our worship attendance was similar to today). Today we average nearly 300. That’s progress. Five years ago we averaged $14,000 each week in our offerings. Today we average over $19,000. That’s progress.
We have more women (nearly 100) in more Bible studies (10) this year than ever. Our men’s ministry is scheduling events and serving people. These are signs of progress.
But it’s the anecdotes that really tell the story. It’s the email from a family that has decided to make tithing a priority. What did they discover? God is ultimately faithful and they have experienced a greater sense of God’s care.
It’s the image of families walking through the grocery store filling a bag of groceries to share with someone they met when we distributed groceries as a service project. It isn’t part of any thing “planned”…it’s become a family activity.
It’s the decision of a class to underwrite the needs of a family in their midst. Or another class that provides funding for people to attend Addicts
Victorious. It’s the commitment of a Christian to provide tickets to the “Madison Park Christmas Carol” for their neighbors.
How do we know when we’re “getting there”? When God’s people recognize that “it’s not about us” and we seek to be flexible enough to have worship engaging to a non-believer. It’s when God’s people encourage changes designed to reach out to the lost. It’s when a congregation’s personality is that of “whatever it takes” to reach those who don’t yet know Jesus.
Are we “there” yet? Honestly…no…we never will be fully “there.” But are we getting there…a definite YES.
