Measuring Success

Whenever those in The Jesus Connection process talk about the vision of how church might be, tired, burned out, discouraged pastors and lay folk in other congregations perk up their ears. Eyes light up, and they want to hear more. The vision of a transformed church described in TJC matches so well the hunger many have felt.

Whether it is laity or pastors, the first questions asked about The Jesus Connection process have to do with the measurement of results. At the laity seminar in Centerville in 2003, question after question came from the attendees; all basically the same. They were asking, in one way or another, ?what measures of success (or lack of it) do you have??

Our culture has programmed us to measure success in terms of numbers: increasing membership, increased attendance, increased giving leading to budget surpluses.

At FCC Nevada, (Iowa) we are feeling a sea change among the congregation because of The Jesus Connection. Those who have studied one or more of Jan?s books, participated in Spiritual Life Groups, attended a Laity Seminar or a Silent Prayer Retreat, are being transformed. They feel it, and it shows from the outside. When they are asked by others in the congregation about measuring success in terms of membership, they respond that the transformation of the ones here comes first. Then, because others will be able to see the ways we have been transformed,  that will bring in new people.

In December, a call went out to all the congregation: ?Consider how your faith has fared in 2003. Have you felt spiritual growth, and if so, how??  Those who were willing were invited to provide statements for the congregation?s Annual Report. Usually, that report contains only routine summaries of activities by the various committees. This year, it had life.

Here are a few of the responses:

I am excited about the spiritual growth in our congregation. I am excited about the involvement of Christ in our worship service and how he continues to be active throughout the week, in so many lives and homes in our church. I sometimes feel like He (Jesus) is a new member with all his renewed enthusiasm !? consider the testimonies we have heard this year, the prayer retreats and the effect it has had on various individuals?

I am learning not only to listen but to accept God?s challenges? With each challenge comes more understanding and more heartfelt love and joy than I can describe.

2003 was a good year for me to walk closer with God. I have always known that God is with me and I have seen His work, but to feel His presence and to thirst for it daily has begun to be my new ?quest.?

I have definitely felt spiritual growth since my baptism (October 2000) [this from a woman age 60+]; the Jesus Connection meeting [laity seminar] (Centerville- 2003), the Spiritual Life Groups, the prayer and daily Bible reading every morning?. I have never felt such peace. I know Jesus walks with me each day. God always listens to me and loves me unconditionally. I feel that listening to God and coming back to church after 30 years was the best decision I ever made. ? I feel our church is definitely transforming and moving from the old tradition to the new with a stronger bond with Jesus and guided by the Holy Spirit. AMEN

How about that for a measure of a congregation?s success?

Brice Hughes, Pastor

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),

Nevada, Iowa