Worship Wars

In the past several decades the Evangelical Church in America endured what some label "The Worship Wars." Should the pulpit be made of wood or Lexan? Should we sing out of a hymnal or from a Power Point projection of the hymns and choruses? Should we seat worshippers in pews or on chairs? Should we have choirs, or, praise teams? Should we have committees or ministry teams? I assume you have dodged some of these bullets in your place of service.

While each of these issues has some bearing on the transaction of ministry, they are secondary. We are asking the wrong question if this is the breadth of our focus. In the broad scope of eternity I am confident, and the text of Scripture makes abundantly clear, that Jesus will not ask any of the questions listed above in his assessment of ministry effectiveness (Heb. 13:17).

What matters most is transformation. Are the people of God being systematically and objectively changed into the fullness of the image of Christ? (Rom. 12:2; Col. 1:28).

Ministry Metrics

The prevailing assessment completed by local churches and denominations usually is what I term one dimensional, the "ABC's" of Attendance, Baptisms and Cash! A variation of this is the four "B's" of Buildings, Baptisms, Budgets and Bodies! While each of these aspects of ministry matter, numbers represent people and other critical essentials of ministry, they are by no means the primary focus of New Testament theology (Matt. 28:18-20).

Our mandate is not the acquisition of large cash reserves. It is not the erection of large, costly and elaborate edifices. It is not to simply draw crowds of whatever size and immerse those who profess faith in the waters of baptism. We are not charged with merely producing converts.

We are called to make disciples, to transact ministry in such a manner that we see God transform his people into the image of Christ. Yet it is difficult to identify a single denominational annual report that includes a credible assessment of the transformation of their people into mature Christ-honoring disciples.

Measuring Effectiveness

It is possible to both achieve and objectively measure transformation in the life of a believer. What ministry essentials are required to meet this challenge?

• Purpose – Transformation must be a core essential in ministry. All ministry activities must contribute to the formation of the image of Christ in his people.
• Unity – The entire body must subscribe to and support this effort.
• Process – Leaders must develop a functional and systematic process that includes an objective metric applied with consistency. They must assess the development of the character of Christ as exhibited in the beliefs and behavior of believers.
• Surrender – The participants must welcome with transparency and vulnerability the objective and compassionate examination of the process of maturation in their lives.
• Accountability – Accountability is each one helping the other keep the commitments they have made to God on the basis of loving relationships.
• Life in Community – This is best described by examining and applying in the believer's daily walk the "one another" commands of the New Testament.
• Modeling – People must live out the dynamics of a mature believer for others to imitate (1 Cor. 4:16).
• Celebration – Frequent celebration of the progress being accomplished in the lives of God's people makes transformation both possible and desirable.

Tom Fillinger is Senior Pastor of SouthEast Community in Columbia, SC. He is also a Certified Consultant with The Society for Church Consulting and CEO of IgniteUS Ministries.