Sometimes we celebrate success too early. We skip and dance over the number of people who came to an event or a service without thinking about those that we engaged in discipleship. We proclaim the number of responses, but fail to show that the number of responses that are actually discipled is horrible. Transformation happens as people are discipled into an obedient relationship with Christ. If transformation is our goal discipleship needs to be our focus, not an afterthought.
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3 Responses to How We Define Success May Hurt Our Ability to Make Disciples
Erin
Replied on: September 13, 2010, 8:21 pm
Good message!
Macario Cadatal
Replied on: August 19, 2011, 12:49 pm
Success is not measured in terms of numbers. Rather measured in the light of both 1John 5:12 and John 3:30. Having the Son is not enough. He has to increase, but i must decrease. Both are the works of God. He’s still working and brings to completion what He has started. He’s the author and finisher of our faith. He’s irresistible.
Paul
Replied on: August 19, 2011, 2:18 pm
Measurements of success should not be limited to numbers, that is for sure. Of all forms of metrics, numbers tell us the least. But they cannot be ignored, nor are they ignored in the Bible. The Bible regularly reports numbers as a testament to what the Lord can do. He does much with little as in the cases of Gideon and the Boy with the loaves and fish. He also demonstrates His power through numbers like the amazing number of believers added at Pentecost. Numbers can be used to spark worship. They can also indicate that God is at work. They can indicate to God’s people that they are doing the right things.
But like I said before, numbers tell us little. What is the quality of those who choose to follow Christ? Did they just raise a hand, caught up in the moment, and never DO anything as a result of their decision? Obviously the quality of the decision would be suspect. That is why we have to move beyond numbers and measure the quality of the work. We can adopt practices that drastically affect the quality our work of making disciples. We can use methods that quickly ‘win’ people to the Lord – high numbers – but never teach them to read God’s Word, obey, etc, – low quality. We need to be careful of that.
Thanks for commenting. It allowed me to expand on a topic that is often misunderstood and misused while being more important and complicated than most people want to admit.