Metrics for something squishy

Measuring things is inherently a "squishy" task. If you've ever done a woodworking or craft project you know this. Do you allow for the thickness of the pencil line? Where do you actually cut - the left side of the line, the right side of the line or right in the center? Nowhere is this "squishiness" more apparent than when it comes to metrics for churches. I have even been accused of "trying to measure God". That's kind of fruitless according Romans 11:33 but I decide it is best not to argue with these people. It is the same as teaching a pig to sing, as they say.

The maxim I use when it comes to church metrics is “Not everything that can be counted counts”. Meaningful metrics for a church depend on what you believe the mission of the church to be. That said, there are some “rule of thumb” metrics that are helpful in assessing church health. “Metric” as I use it here is a term of art, being composed of a measure (what are we counting?) and a target (What are we saying is good?). The metrics following are adapted from metrics proposed by Reggie McNeal in Leadership Journal, Winter 1999. I consider them to be very good general metrics. By general, I mean these are not connected to a specific strategy.

Measure: % of pre-Christians in worship services.

Target: 15% of attendees

Measure:  % of pre-Christians at outreach events.

Target: 15% of attendees

Measure: % of annual outreach events.

Target: 8

Measure: % of church members trained in sharing their faith.

Target: 25%

Measure: # of first-time guests in worship.

Target: 20%

Measure: % of small groups.

Target: 1 for every 12-15 adults in worship attendance

Measure: % of regular worship attenders who are a part of a small group.

Target: 60-70%

Measure: % of small groups formed within the last two years.

Target: 20% minimum

Measure: % of leaders who are newcomers in the past 2 years.

Target: 20%

Measure: % of intentional vision-casting efforts per year—through sermons, newsletters, classes, etc.

Target: 20%

Measure: % of hours each week pastors and staff members are engaged in intentional development of the leadership team—through classes, staff and committee  meetings, lunch with program heads, etc.

Target: 20% minimum

Measure: % of church members engaged in specific ministry efforts either in the church or community.

Target: 50%

Measure: % of church members who have identified their spiritual gifts and ministry passions.

Target: 60%

I do metrics and develop strategy for a living for a large consulting firm. Four times a year I facilitate development of a strategy for ministries and churches at cost. When I work with a church or ministry, we measure each element of the strategy to gauge progress. If you are looking for metrics developed specifically for your church or ministry, I can be contacted at the email associated with my LinkedIn profile.

If you would like to teach your leaders about healthy numbers for your church, contact me for a free resource, “Visitors by the Numbers”. This has additional metrics you might consider to assess the health of your church - and not all of them are "squishy".