measuring mustache hair (part two)

The challenge that we face in measuring transformation and life-giving impact in the world as indices related to our effectiveness as church, is that these elements are neither easily quantifiable nor readily visible. You cannot count transformation in the same manner as you count people in pews. You cannot count life-giving impact in the world in the same manner you can count offering, Sunday school children, confirmation students, giving units, number of staff or clergy, or members.

Transformation and life-giving impact rarely carry the criteria of empirical measurement that we are accustomed to having as we assess the world around us. It would be ridiculous to stand up and state, “we had 7 transformations last month.” “We had 4 life-giving impacts.” These goals that we strive to achieve as the church when we engage the world around us, simply do not fall into the realm of the numerically relatable. Oh for sure we can quantify how many meals we served or how many people we clothed but this scarcely captures the depth and profundity of this type of missional engagement.

I think we would be better served in considering a new (or rather very old) measurement matrix. This ancient/future measurement falls into the realm of what could be called the narratively relatable. Transformation always comes with a story. Impact in the world always comes with a story. If our goals as a Christ following community are transformation and life-giving impact, these elements by their very nature must be shared in truth telling story form.

And this truth telling story form is nothing more than what the early church called witness. Biblically, we are not called to be defense attorneys for God, or judge and jury of the world, or prosecutors of all the wicked people around us, or bailiffs bent on keeping world order, or unbiased court reporters, or grieving family in the gallery as the world we know has changed around us.

We are called to be witnesses.

Truth tellers, concerning what is important to Jesus, the one we call Lord.

Truth tellers, concerning Christ’s work in transforming us as individuals and as community.

Truth tellers, concerning the work God does through us in the world.