What Should We Measure?

What does your church measure? Why?

I have been asking myself this question as we start a new year at SpringWell. I know we are in the life-change business and only Jesus Christ can truly make this happen. However, can we challenge ourselves to be the most effective by measuring some things?

Here are some of the things we are considering being intentional about measuring:

• The number of new volunteers being placed in ministry
• The number of new members
• The number of salvations and baptisms taking place
• The number of people in Home Groups
• How much is our weekly/monthly giving
• How many connection cards were completed on Sunday and followed up with during the week

I struggle because most of the measurements are focused on numbers. The tradition of church I grew up in did not value numbers and actually caused me to believe that there is something unspiritual about using them to challenge the church.

I know it is not all about the numbers. Reggie McNeal has taught that we need a new scorecard in the church. But as we gauge health and challenge staff, what can we (or should we) measure? What trends can we learn? Does this help us evaluate health? Am I missing something we should measure? What is on the list that does not belong there?

Chime in! I would love to hear from you.