The easiest way to measure results is by counting numbers. Any church staff person knows that numbers will be due every year, every quarter, every month and even weekly. But so much more takes place in ministry than numbers, lines and columns can calculate. How do we measure effectiveness adequately?

To further measure effectiveness we have to hear the stories. At Brentwood Baptist Church we take periodic staff meetings and Sunday morning worship services to share what God is doing in the lives of our church members. We hear stories like this one:

My wife and I moved back to TN in 2007 and searched everywhere for a church (didn’t think we’d ever find one). We visited Brentwood Baptist Church      with some friends and liked everything about it. Even our kids loved it. After attending for two years we decided to become members. Part of the            membership process was taking PLACE. Through the PLACE assessments I recognized my Artistic Ability. In my coaching session I decided to get involved in BBC’s orchestra. I’ve always wanted to be a musician. It is what God wrote on my heart even as a young boy. I’ve played guitar since I was 13, but life threw some curves my way and I had to take a different career path. I’ve always been frustrated not being able to express myself through my true passion of music in my regular full time job. PLACE has been truly rewarding as it has given me an outlet to express my true self through music and live out my God given talents in the church. If I were any happier doing what I do at BBC there would have to be two of me. Now I am living out Jesus’ purpose for me in music and worship.

Dennis Mihalek

In Dennis’ case, there was an immediate ministry that was fulfilling to him. Sometimes the match isn’t as clear, so to maximize giftedness we have Leadership Identification Meetings so BBC’s staff can share who PLACE has sent their way and how they have connected the participants or not. By coming together as a staff and talking and praying over these individuals, many times we think of other ways to connect people. Generally people who are connected are not people who are slipping out the back door.

• Stories measure what numbers sometime cannot.

• Sharing, talking, praying and putting our heads together help maximize the giftedness God has sent out way.

Tags: church, ministry, place

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