Unfortunately, one of the ministry lessons that has been drilled into my head over the years is that numbers matter. Specifically large numbers.
I was rarely asked by my supervisors how an event went, or what stories I could tell about the ministry. It always seemed to be about metrics…things that can be measured in numbers. And I get the need for metrics in ministry, (accountability, direction, etc.), but when did that dictate everything we do?
Usually the question was, “How many people showed up?”
Though I don’t believe numbers to be a great marker of life transformation, it’s hard to move beyond intellectually knowing that. So I would find myself questioning things that didn’t attract a significant number of people.
Fast forward…
Now that I’m a practicing therapist I never get questions about numbers.
First, therapy isn’t measured by numbers, but by change.
Second, there is the assumption in therapy that one person can change and have great affect on an entire system. One partner in a marriage can transform the marriage. One kid in a family can transform the family.
I’m being taught the transforming value of one person upon a system.
I wonder what ministry would look like if we approached the people we serve in the same way? That one person can transform a ministry. One person can transform a city. One person can transform the world.
Instead, I think too often in ministry we are taught the value of numbers at the cost of missing out on opportunities to minister to and disciple that one person.
And, it’s also sobering that change doesn’t come so easy in the therapy world either.. I (vaguely) recall a conversation with a veteran therapist that maybe 33% of clients make significant changes in their lives.
Yes, I’m all about the individual who is present before me, and while any one person can transform the world, not every single person does.
It’s a tough call, in the whole scheme of things, do I concentrate my energy on one person at a time, or work towards influencing a larger group of people, and thus affect a dozen people while missing another dozen.
DJ,
I totally agree. Not every person can transform the world.
And very few clients make changes…if they do, it takes a lot of encouragement and insight to get them to change.
I obviously love ministry and love larger groups, I’ve just been concentrating a lot more on the work I can do with one person, a couple, or smaller groups. There is a lot of energy there that I think we can overlook in a church setting…if we focus on numbers.
Rhett
.-= Rhett Smith´s last blog ..Overlooking People in Ministry (for number’s sake) =-.
Rhett, courageous post here, attacking the sacred belief in numbers. Thanks for the reminder, our mission is about the individual soul rather than success within the masses. I agree with your post and I read about Jesus in the Gospel accounts reaching individuals within the masses. Individual influence on the masses is needed, though measuring the impact by numbering the masses sounds like a corporate marketing tool. You’re right Rhett, let’s be about discipling individuals.
.-= Gary Reed´s last blog ..Conveying Leadership Principles =-.
Gary,
Thanks for the comment man. I appreciate you stopping by all the time and leaving comments. Encouraging and I appreciate your insight.
I have always been intrigued by Jesus looking past the crowds, or onto the crowds, but seeing the individual who is suffering in the midst. Many ministries and pastors are great at this as well. I just wish I had been more focused on that aspect of ministry more, and not buy into the pressure of numbers.
Rhett
.-= Rhett Smith´s last blog ..Overlooking People in Ministry (for number’s sake) =-.
Absolutely love this post today. We toe the line in our non-profit between reaching MANY or really honing it down to a few. It is refreshing to focus on the positive change in the INDIVIDUAL life. I love the freedom that comes with that.
Really appreciate your blog a lot.
Rex,
Thanks man. Appreciate the words. I love your insight about reaching many or really honing it down to a few.
The good news it takes all kinds of ministry and people. And so why many have been charged to work with the masses, I have been feeling more compelled to work with the few….but do enjoy the masses as well. Maybe I’m wrestling with my niche.
Rhett
.-= Rhett Smith´s last blog ..Overlooking People in Ministry (for number’s sake) =-.
love it. which reminds me…i keep forgetting to tell you, even though i’ve written it on my hand several times:
71+ people have heard about what you showed me with mark 1:9-11. the break down:
-you told me
-i taught it/did a devotional with it to 30ish 1st/2nd year staff and a few leaders from HQ at a conference from all over the states and one from albania, (and several told their spouses who weren’t there, and then they told me about it afterwards)
-i taught somewhere between 10-15 students who needed to hear it through the past 2 months
-one of those students talked about it to 30 parents of high schoolers …that’s the coolest part, your message has a generation- from you to me to a student to parents. crazy.
that’s what i call transformation. essentially your ministry went from one person to teens, to families, to several ministry leaders, and the headquarters of a ministry, and to 30 parents in your own backyard.
Katy,
Thanks. I really appreciate the encouragement on this. It’s crazy how this stuff works, right.
Rhett
Dynamite.
.-= nick charalambous´s last blog ..Journey’s End =-.
Thanks Nick.
rhett
.-= Rhett Smith´s last blog ..Technology: Connected, Yet Lonelier Than Ever =-.