Missional Score Card

I’ve been emailed this list from the Fresh Expressions Australia website a few times now, it references a post by W. David Phillips’s website on “Measuring Success in Ministry” where he reflected on a recent course with Len Sweet in which the class had to think of a list of metaphors for describing missional success in the future.

I’ve been focusing on my vitality of call (review) recently, it’s been a weird time of thinking and wondering where I need to be, and where I think I’m called to be, I’ve never really thought of myself in rural ministry, yet here I am (and probably will be here for a couple more years).  And, as I live and minister here and listen to people’s stories I’m becoming more and more aware of how much of my missional and youth ministry thinking and training have been based in a highly urban context.

Even this list provided by W. David Phillips seems to be loaded with an urban mindset.

I’m reminded of people who I know who are still trying to do stuff that works in the big city in a small rural community, mimicking what I guess would seem to be the “way of success” for them.  After all, churches in the city doing these types of things seem to be growing, or at least getting invited to speak lots at various conferences and festivals around the place so what they’re doing must be right.  One such example would be a couple I’m in relationship with who seem to be wanting to plant a large Hillsong-type worship service in their community, which isn’t indigenous or true to their community.

I’m beginning to wonder how I’d translate my experiences over the last few years into missional language that takes into account the many differences in lifestyle, community, faith and mission that we find in rural communities, sure there may be some crossovers with the urban ministry lessons, but one thing i’m sure of is that it’s a fair cry from being a carbon copy of it.

I’m learning more and more that what is being talked about in blogs and conventions out there is having less and less to say to the communities I’m connecting with.

Anyhow, that list of Missional metaphors I was talking about from W. David Phillips’ blog….

• The number of cigarette butts in the church parking lot.
• The number of former convicted felons serving in the church.
• The number of phone calls from community leaders asking the church’s advice.
• The number of organizations using the church building.
• The number of emergency finance meetings that take place to reroute money to community ministry.
• The amount of dollars saved by the local schools because the church has painted the walls.
• The number of people serving in the community during the church’s normal worship hours.
• The number of times the church band has played family-friendly music in the local coffee shop.