Those of you who are
leaders understand that one role you play is to define the "wins" for
your team. In business those wins are often easy to see when you can
simply look at the financial bottom line, growth of your market share, and the results
of customer service surveys. But what about winning at church?
MVCC is not focused
on increasing our market share since that would mean another church has lost
people...which is not a net gain for God's Kingdom. Finances are important to sustaining and growing ministries but money is nothing more than a tool and not the goal. When it comes to our "customers,"
their satisfaction isn't a goal we can set because sometimes the Gospel offends
those who don't know and follow Christ.
A church is successful when:
* we faithfully share
the Gospel and love others even knowing there may be no return on our investment.
* we create an environment that encourages spiritual growth in our members and emphasizes the Bible as our authority for all of life's decisions.
* we provide opportunities for members take
real steps of faith and spiritual growth through baptism, mission trips, sharing their faith, studying the Bible, and sharing their money and time with the church.
* new leaders are being raised up and accepting "pastoral" responsibilities.
* we work to restore people who have been caught by sin and we have honest
discussions that point out sinful choices, knowing we risk ticking people off.
* members care for
one another, pray for each other, and bear each others burdens, especially caring for the vulnerable among us.
* the more mature are
willing to love and be patient and teach the less mature.
* we see diversity of membership because of a willingness to love and accept all people right where they're at spiritually.
* there are biblically qualified/godly leaders who are respected by the church for their position and their willingness to be servant-leaders.
* There is joy and a unity of spirit among the church body as it worships, serves, and prays and grows together.
