Comments on: Stop trying to be number 1!

By: Phill longmire

Phill longmire — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:03:57 +0000

The first thing I thought of when i read your post…I bet they are number one…

Its ok to be number one…it gives us something to beat…

By: Bobby Gruenewald

Bobby Gruenewald — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:52:40 +0000

Craig…sorry for the delay in responding. Great question.

On the objective side…we have to use “metrics”. We measure a whole lot more than attendance, commitments to Christ and giving…things like volunteer show-up percentages and mission trip participation, etc.

On the subjective side…several of central staff are visiting campuses and interacting with our campus teams and the people at the campus each weekend to get a more intangible feel of how things are going. Our campus team are interacting with people before and after each experience who have just committed their life to Christ…the stories are amazing and helpful in understanding what God is doing inside of people.

I don’t know if that is great answer to your great question, but it is simple way of describing some of what we look at.

By: Mike Jones

Mike Jones — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 19:32:52 +0000

I totally agree with your “lemming leadership” theory, and expand on it this way. What makes these churches the most successful churches in nation? I would say that these churches are the most progressive churches in the nation, and that is what makes them successful. You can’t learn to be progressive by looking at other churches. To become progressive you first thing you do is get the best, most creative, excited for lead other people to God people you can find and hire them. Then you tell them to go and give them the freedom to be progressive and creative. That is how you become a successful/progressive/creative church.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 14:59:23 +0000

This is a very interesting take. I love the idea of aggregating the ideas on the 7 lists. It added a perspective that was missing on any single list. At the same time, you make some really important points here! The observation that many churches are aiming at becoming the #1 church of 1995 is dead on. The obvious challenge…how to anticipate where things are actually going and move in that direction!

Thanks for an insightful post!

mark

By: Craig (too)

Craig (too) — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:30:45 +0000

{applause}

And you bring up a related, but to me equally interesting point…

How does LifeChurch.tv “measure” it’s health? What are the key indicators to which you look to identify health or not-so-health?

Many churches seem to measure growth and do so with numbers related to attendance, membership, conversions/baptisms, etc.

Are there some other paradigms out there for determining if a local gathering of Christ followers are hitting the mark (what is the right mark)?

By: Tony Chimento

Tony Chimento — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:44:34 +0000

Thanks so much for blogging. I have gleaned so much reading your thoughts and insights. As a new church planter, I find lots of help and encouragement in what you write. As far as lists, you are on my top 10…grins.