I've heard it said that money doesn't really mean anything except as a way of keeping score. It's the point system that helps companies know how they are doing in the world. If the top leaders are driving Mercedez to the airport to get on the private jet, things must be going well, right? Well, not as well as if the leaders aren't driving and the chauffeur is, but you get the point.
Thing is, in all of Jesus' parables and lessons, I don't see Him giving us a clear way to keep score. Which leaves a problem for the church. How do you know you're doing OK without a means of keeping score? Count heads in pews? Postcards stating "re-committment"?
Um, how about measurable goals? When do we cross the line between setting our sights high for God and sounding like an oil company plotting the next quarter?
From a local congregation:
1. EVANGELIZE THE LOST
100% of our membership and 60% of our congregation trained in and actively
engaged in evangelism according to their gifting within 5 years.
100% of GBC members and 60% of our congregation will participate at least
annually in a community outreach or service project.
We will personally communicate the gospel of grace to every resident of B/CS within
a generation.
Within 5 years we will personally communicate the gospel of grace to every student
at xxx and xxx before he or she graduates.
...there's more, but I don't want to go beyond fair use here.
Yep, definitely a way to keep score. So what if these things happen? Or what if they don't? Can we really justify running a church like a business? How exactly does someone measure "evangelism according to their gifting"? By attendance, or my worse fears, the collection plate?
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