Our Measures of Success
Every sports team knows what it takes to score points and how to measure the success of their efforts. But how can a church tell if they are “scoring touchdowns” or simply running up and down the field? While bigger attendance, bigger budgets and bigger buildings are great, they do not guarantee we are being successful. We were not commanded to gather crowds, generate big bank accounts or construct impressive edifices – we were told to make disciples. We measure success with three standards and everything we do at the Summit Church is designed to “score points” in one or more of these areas.
Transformed Lives: Jesus did not come to reform us – re-shape the same old material. He came to transform us – make us new creatures. When we see attitudes and actions transforming, as we see men and women reasoning differently, responding differently and living differently we know we have “scored a point” for God’s kingdom.
Restored Relationships: God is a relational God and wants us to be people of healthy relationships – with Him, with family, with friends, with neighbors, with coworkers, with all others. Forgiveness, kindness and other fruits of God’s Spirit enable us to live in proper relationships. Healed marriages, restored friendships, children honoring their parents, parents lovingly training their children – these are all ways we measure the success of this ministry.
Obedient Service: We grow most when we invest our lives in others. We were designed to serve. As we give out, God pours more in. Therefore we want to help each person at the Summit Church find those unique talents and skills God has deposited and help them utilize those gifts for His kingdom. Involvement in obedient service – filling the place God created you for – leads to a happy, healthy, growing walk through this world.