A while back, I was visiting the offices of another mission. As we were being shown around, a guy was introduced to us and was asked to share what he's involved in. He immediately launched into "the sale."
I know what it looks like because I've seen it a hundred times from organizations around the world. I know "the sale" because I've pitched it as many times. It usually goes something like this...
"We're working in more than 100 countries, working with more than 500 indigenous partners in over 8,000 languages. We've planted 1,000 (take your pick... schools, churches, radio stations, wells) all over the developing world."
Change the length, numbers or some of the language, but that's the gist. This is what we've accomplished. This is why we're a valuable asset to the Kingdom. And, ultimately, this is why you should give.
We are addicted to numerical growth.
It's no different in the church. Pastors are constantly being judged and judging each other by numerical growth and giving.
I get it. It's steeped in our culture. We have to justify ourselves to get a job, a raise or a promotion. We have to prove our value. And how can you possibly measure the success of a mission except by who has been reached or what's been built?
Here's my struggle, when I start taking a count it is almost always about me. How much have I done? How do I measure up to everyone else? What have I accomplished?
Of all his sins, David taking a census may have been his most egregious. And the people of his kingdom paid dearly for it. Why? Because he wanted to know how great he was. And his accomplishments didn't belong to him. They were a gift from God.
When we start throwing out numbers, we run dangerously close to doing the same thing. Yes measuring effectiveness is healthy, good and necessary. And, before we tell our story, we should always ask ourselves, "Who am I trying to glorify?"
I know what it looks like because I've seen it a hundred times from organizations around the world. I know "the sale" because I've pitched it as many times. It usually goes something like this...
"We're working in more than 100 countries, working with more than 500 indigenous partners in over 8,000 languages. We've planted 1,000 (take your pick... schools, churches, radio stations, wells) all over the developing world."
Change the length, numbers or some of the language, but that's the gist. This is what we've accomplished. This is why we're a valuable asset to the Kingdom. And, ultimately, this is why you should give.
We are addicted to numerical growth.
It's no different in the church. Pastors are constantly being judged and judging each other by numerical growth and giving.
I get it. It's steeped in our culture. We have to justify ourselves to get a job, a raise or a promotion. We have to prove our value. And how can you possibly measure the success of a mission except by who has been reached or what's been built?
Here's my struggle, when I start taking a count it is almost always about me. How much have I done? How do I measure up to everyone else? What have I accomplished?
Of all his sins, David taking a census may have been his most egregious. And the people of his kingdom paid dearly for it. Why? Because he wanted to know how great he was. And his accomplishments didn't belong to him. They were a gift from God.
When we start throwing out numbers, we run dangerously close to doing the same thing. Yes measuring effectiveness is healthy, good and necessary. And, before we tell our story, we should always ask ourselves, "Who am I trying to glorify?"
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