The same is true for taking the measure of a congregation. Metrics might not be every church leader’s favorite task, but reliable, accurate, and thorough metrics are critical for leading effectively.
WHO is measured
While such non-person matters as money and space utilization merit attention, the critical measurements involve people. Specifically:
• Members
• Prospective members
• People you can reasonably expect to reach
• Mission opportunities
WHAT is measured
You are in the business of serving and inspiring people. The measures of your reach and impact have to do with people’s behaviors. For example, decisions to attend Sunday worship and non-Sunday worship; decisions to seek church ministries, such as education, pastoral care, socialization; and decisions to give back to God in stewardship and mission.
Those are all measurable phenomena. Consistently low numbers in reaching anyone other than current members suggest a grim future. Consistently high numbers in reaching outsiders but low numbers in reaching members suggest the likelihood of conflict.
WHERE are measures taken
On the ground. At the event or gathering. Not in blessed memory.
WHEN are measures taken
The moment of response is best. People actually sitting in pews, children in classrooms, adults in small groups, actual participation in mission events. Our perceptions tend to be fogged by our emotions. It’s best to pause in any gathering or event to take an accurate headcount.
HOW are measures taken
Most measurements involve counting heads. Accuracy is better than guesswork. Some measures require you to measure what people expected to happen and then to measure what did happen. Most useful measurements require year-to-year comparisons. Designated counters should be trained in process and in the importance of their work.
WHY are measures taken
Without measurements, we have no idea what is working and what isn’t working. We have no idea whether resources are being applied effectively and with maximum impact. It’s like a pilot flying without instrumentation in fog.
For more on Metrics, join the Church Wellness Project (www.churchwellness.com) or write me ([email protected]).
Tom Ehrich is a writer, church consultant, and Episcopal priest based in New York. He is the publisher of On a Journey, and the founder of the Church Wellness Project www.churchwellness.com.
