20 Dec Accountability and Goals
As I have had the privilege of sharing the Strategic Plan for the future of the UB Church, I have heard a call from key leaders: make accountability real. We have spoken about setting goals for reaching the lost so that we are working strategically. It makes sense that if you don’t intentionally seek to reach five people for Christ, you won’t reach one. Setting goals in no way removes the Lord from the work. Nothing can happen apart from Him. The goals are simply our faith in action in an intentional, strategic manner.
The question is this: Am I willing to be held accountable? Or would true accountability bring to light my failure to work in a systematic way that frees the church to reach lost people? Would it show that I am simply taking care of keeping already saved people happy while not making them or others true disciples of Jesus Christ?
Many want to settle for fellowship as a standard of good meetings. We support each other and pray for each other. But fellowship without accountability will not help us mature and grow in ministry.
This question must be answered by us all. It is key to the future of our ministries.
Dalton Jenkins
Posted at 14:08h, 20 DecemberYou are correct. Measurement is often seen as negative. I look at it in this way; measurement is a method of diagnosing. When you are properly diagnosed the doctor can individualized your treatment and monitor your recovery. My treatment and medicine is often different form the other person. The doctor’s response is not, “he is sick send him to the morgue, no, it is, here is what we are going to prescribe for you to help you recover”.
Growth in the natural is measurable and accountable. From Wall Street to the Barn House we count and set measurable standards. When my sons were babies the doctor would measure and compare their growth to certain standards. He would often say, “that is normal, we expect that.” If there were any abnormalities he would diagnose and prescribe a course of treatment and recovery that was also measurable. Sometimes my wife would device different ways to get the medication to our sons. We love our boys and would do anything to see that they are healthy.
The church cannot do without certain standards because we will not know how we are doing and what we are missing. We need to be healthy in order to help the dying world. Why are we reluctant to measure our progress? People are comfortable hiding. And not measuring and not being held accountable aid this posture. As soon as you start setting goals and measuring your accomplishments it forces you out of hiding. We are expected to grow. This does not means you are killed for not making your goal, because the Church is into restoring not killing, but there should a process for those who want to succeed.
Keep up the good work.