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.

Greatness is by Design, not by Accident

One of the reasons I like Tony Romo, and rookie runningback Felix Jones, is that they remind me of the greatness of the Dallas Cowboys from the 1990s. I know, nothing will compare to the Super Bowl teams of the 70s, but do keep in mind that I was born in '78, so I missed much of that. I was just discovering football when Tom Landry was fired. So while I am aware of the greatness of the Cowboys from the golden days of yore, my personal experience of watching the greatness of the Cowboys is limited to the Super Bowl teams of the 90s.

Emmitt Smith was the best rusher in the league, could always get the yardage needed for a first down, or a touchdown (except one fateful day in Philly), and could be depended on to get the team where it needed to be. Troy Aikman was a solid on-field leader who made the plays when it counted. Their greatness inspired the rest of the team, to the point that even the no-names came up big. Who can forget the time Aikman went down, and an unknown Jason Garrett saved the day at QB. Garrett, now a successful offensive coordinator, had little cred as an NFL QB, but that day, he shined like a superstar. You see, greatness is contageous, but it doesn't happen by accident.

To be a star in the NFL, one has to be groomed from childhood, learning to love the game and the oval shaped ball as soon as he is learning to walk, possibly sooner. That child then is taught to throw and catch by his father, enrolled in the flag football league before advancing to pee-wee football. Often, the family will decide on a place to live based on the quality of the youth sports programs and the football program at the local school. Upon entering the 7th grade, that boy then gets involved in scholastic athletics.

It is the job of a head football coach/athletic director in the state of Texas to develop football talent at all levels in school (at least, in the smaller cities like Brownwood, Jacksonville, and so on. I'm not sure how far the sphere of influence spreads in places like Dallas where there are multiple high schools and junior highs, but in smaller towns, the high school head coach hires the junior high coaches.) The successful AD/Head Football Coach will have an organized plan and program in place to develop his players from the time they hit seventh grade up until high school into great football players. Your exemplary ADs work with the youth progams to start the development sooner.

The successful AD will enjoy winning seasons, possible state titles, praise and acclaim from the townspeople, high salaries and the opportunity to advance to a larger school and make even more money. If successful there, he may even go on to coach college or professional football. But none of this happens by accident. It is all a deliberate effort to teach, condition and prepare the players for the games.

You can tell the quality of a football program, not by their win-loss record, but by how many players graduate and go on to college (Division I) or even professional football. Danny Long, remembered for leading the Jacksonville Indians to gridiron glory in the Texas state playoffs, actually suffered some down years in the late 90s. Notwithstanding, each team graduated 3-5 Division I prospects, with one or two of those having a shot at the NFL, with maybe one actually making a roster. (Mostly, the one that did make a roster wound up on the practice squad, with the exception of a couple of quarterback brothers). Having gone through part of his program, I can tell you it was a deliberate process.

So, on the football field, winning is only half the battle. True success is displayed by graduating the next generation of NFL stars.

When I think if this, I often think of our discipleship efforts in our churches. Our aims in discipleship ought to reflect an effort to introduce someone to Christ, see them accept Jesus as Savior, Baptise them, and the teach them the doctrines of Christ, all while helping them grow in their faith until they find the place where God wants them to serve. When they find that place of service, helping them grow in that position until God leads them on to bigger things. It should be a deliberate process that produces super-disciples by design.

So, my question is, does your church have a plan in place to develop these disciples? If so, can you share with me? I am developing my approach on trial and error, and hope to have Grace Pointe in the disciple-making business as soon as possible.

Making disciples vs. defending the faith

Johnny has just accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. Excited about his newfound faith following the revival, he runs out to Lifeway, finds a Bible that he likes, begins listening to Christian radio and decides that he likes the music, as well as the commentary by Dr. James Dobson, Tony Evans and Charles Stanley. He also discovers Dawson McAlister and Promisekeepers. Did I mention that Bible he bought is an NIV?

In the disciple-making process, what is your next step? Do you frantically proclaim to him that the NIV, contemporary Christian radio, Dawson McAlister and Promisekeepers are of the devil? Does NIV mean "Non-Inspired Verson?" Or do you teach and preach from the KJV, highlight what Landmarkism and what true New Testament churches are, and give him time to grow.

There are those who feel that if they haven't offended anyone or upset anybody, they haven't preached. It is true that when you preach the Gospel according to the scriptures, some will be offended that their lifestyle (of adultery, anger, theft, blasphemy and covetousness) is called sin and try to justify their actions. Others will feel convicted by the Gospel message and come to Christ. Still, others will miss the point all together.

If your goal in preaching is to root out that last bit of something in a person's life that you don't agree with, then preach against it so they'll be offended, you've missed the point. Our job as ministers is to preach the Gospel and make disciples. (Actually the church is supposed to make disciples, but much of that comes from the preaching and efforts of the pastor these days).

Some feel like they must "defend the faith" against this poor new believer who showed up with an NIV Bible. Keep in mind that "defending the faith" in the scriptures took place against people who actively perverted the Gospel of God's grace... not those who didn't know any better.

So, let's get back on track. Let our preaching and teaching be targeted toward making disciples and perfecting the saints for the ministry of the Gospel, and not targeted toward stirring controversy and strife. Remember, this great work that God has entrusted us with is not about us, but it's about Glorifying Him.