Success is not Defined by Numbers

Previously, I posted an article discussing the importance of numbers, specifically, numbers in attendance. My point was that the more people you preach the Gospel to, the more likely the chances of you seeing souls saved. However, that is not to say that having large numbers in attendance equals success.

Success is defined as effectively obeying the command of Christ, specifically the Great Commission, which tells us to go and make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them the doctrines of Christ. (Yeah, that's my New Leland Paraphrase translation of Matthew 28.)

So, our definition of success for our churches should not rely on attendance and offering figures, but rather how many disciples are being made in our churches. Granted, the higher your attendance figures are, the more opportunity you have to make disciples. However, defining success based solely on attendance is as half-baked as the Cowboys declaring a Super Bowl victory during training camp. It just doesn't work out.

So what makes for a successful church, one that is making disciples? I can't say specifically, but here are some signs to watch for. Are members of the church stepping up in the Lord's service, such as volunteering to teach Sunday school, or leading and participating in outreach efforts? Are members of the church surrendering to the ministry? How about the alumni of the church (church members who have gone onto the mission field or some other form of full-time service)? Are the church members reproducing (bringing friends and family to church)? Are they knowledgeable in the scriptures (are they learning from the teaching ministry)? Are they helping others?

If you can think of any other questions that would be good discipleship indicators, please feel free to post them. Also, feel free to discuss the questions I have.

My goal in Brownwood is to get a church planted that makes disciples, people who follow and learn from our Lord Jesus Christ. I want these disciples to follow Christ unashamed, to the point of surrendering to the ministry and going to the mission field if God so calls them. Anything I can learn about this disciplemaking process would be pure gold, in my opinion.