Eternity-Oriented Metrics

Steward leaders use eternity-oriented metrics to measure the effectiveness of faithfulness-focused strategies. They tend to be more qualitative than quantitative.

For example, Jesus called twelve disciples and instructed them to make disciples. He defined that not with quantifiable evangelistic goals (such as number of souls saved), but with the qualitative imperative that they team people to observe or obey everything Jesus taught them.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

~Matthew 38:19-20

Another key difference is that eternity-oriented metrics measure growth to God’s kingdom, not any earthly one.

The key to grasping eternity-oriented metrics is realizing that the quantitative is subordinate to the qualitative. Could this be why the modern church has so many professing Christians and so few disciples of Jesus Christ?

Have we been focusing on counting decisions instead of making disciples?

Leaders who employ eternity-oriented metrics will transform the ministry culture and shape everything from human resources policies to decisions regarding asset use, partnerships and collaborations, board governance and financial practices.

How do you think eternity-oriented metrics would change your ministry’s outcomes?

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Each year, CLA selects one book that captures the spirit of the theme of the annual conference. For CLA Dallas 2014, the conference book of the year is, The Choice: The Christ-Centered Pursuit of Kingdom Outcomes  (ECFA Press 2014) by Gary Hoag Ph.D., R. Scott Rodin Ph.D., and Wesley K. Wilmer Ph.D.  This post in an excerpt from the book – page 9.

About the authors:

•  Gary G. Hoag, Ph.D., provides spiritual and strategic counsel to ministry leaders as the Generosity Monk.
• R. Scott Rodin, Ph.D., has a passion for helping Christian ministry leaders take a biblical approach to strategic planning, board development, and capital campaign fundraising with Rodin Consulting, Inc.
• Wesley K. Willmer, Ph.D., currently serves as senior vice president of advancement for Prison Fellowship Ministries.

Be sure to order your Digital Pass from the CLA Dallas 2014 conference. Unlock the higher thinking of dynamic keynote speakers, go deeper with backstage interviews, and capture the best of the best CLA faculty as they share high-impact concepts from their workshops.