What Not to Measure

I once had a business leader ask me, “How do you measure your effectiveness?”

Good question.

It’s so tempting to want to measure our effectiveness but often the factors are driven by the intrinsic motivation of others.

I think there are certain measurables that are very helpful in ministry. But when measurables cross over into monitoring behavior, I think some sort of red light should go off.

I’m not easily frustrated by parents who elect not to complete resources that a church hands to them. Because my ultimate measure of effectiveness will be associated to the level of belief I have in a parent’s ability to complete them.

I’m not interested in grading their homework — but more in how to encourage parents in the story that God is telling through them.

I don’t think faith is a linear process where you start at point A and arrive at point C by taking specific steps or memorizing certain scriptures. It’s an individual journey and everyone’s destination is unique.

Sometimes I think the better question to ask is “How do you stay strategic?” What are you doing to help lead parents to the next step — from where they are now to doing something more with and for their family? Not every parent will move forward but that isn’t really the goal….is it?

What measurables seem to frustrate you in ministry? Do you need a reminder to believe in the parents of your ministry?

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Alrighty Joy….you are two for two on Daniel's gut check today. I must admit I too often get frustrated with parents. There's a selfish part of me that wants them to recognize all the hard work that goes in to providing them everything they need to feel more equipped as spiritual leaders. Embarrassingly, when I'm at my lowest points, I've been known to go home and whine to my wife, “Sometimes I just get so tired of caring about stuff other people don't seem to care about.” Ouch! Red light Daniel! Total red light! In the end, I'm always more frustrated with myself for taking things so personally.

I do wholeheartedly believe in our parents and their incredible potential. But I do need a reminder every so often. As a new parent I can completely resonate now with their experience. Simply put, things can get crazy and there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in a day.

One thing that has helped me though is reminding myself that my effectiveness should not be measured in products but rather in story. I'll only know the results by hearing about lives changed. So rather than getting upset that a parent won't do a GodTime card, I'll instead walk alongside them and create an opportunity for a real relationship to be built. I can carve out time to share my heart for ministry with them, LISTEN to their heart for parenting, walk them through a resource, or I can simply remind them that God is still using them to tell His story and we can figure out together what that looks, sounds and feels like.

As long as I keep doing my part in doing everything I can to empower parents (regardless of the tangible results), I will feel effective. I will focus on educating and fostering their abilities, more so than keeping count of how many kids turn in a signed GodTime card. LOL…I think I'm getting it! And THAT, my people, is called growth.
http://www.childrensministryacademy.com Matilda McConnel

I think it is easy to forget that faith, as you said, is an individual journey and no two journeys are alike. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be the guide to someone else’s journey. You will not receive results by categorizing behavior; you cannot expect everyone to end up at the same spot because no two people are the same. Do your best as a guide and trust that God is waiting for everyone at their destination.
joybow

Thanks Matilda. I love the picture you paint of God waiting for us no matter where our destination Thanks for commenting here today!
joybow

Love your transparency Daniel — I think we all struggle with measuring our effectiveness. Story is more difficult to measure because it's abstract. But stories communicate more than numbers would ever tell us. You are leading well my friend!

Impulsive Joy