We’re by nature “scorecard people.” We all have some way by which we measure ourselves. When we were kids, our parents determined our self-worth. They were the “scorekeepers.” We did everything for them. To win their smile and approval was everything. A few years later we passed the mantle to teachers, and then to coaches. These were adults in our life who seemed to rule like kings and queens. To win their attention was glorious.
By the time we were in junior high the scorekeepers were our friends. Call it peer-pressure, but at this age our friends determined almost every “win.” The only force strong enough to break that allegiance was the opposite sex … and it did! Remember when your boyfriend or girlfriend held the scorecard? Enough said. But it didn’t stop there. We then gave the scorecard to our college or career … and then to our neighbors. If our neighbor was impressed with our car, house, and toys—we scored!
Things don’t change much with church. Every church has their scorecard. What makes it challenging and confusing is that the leadership, the congregation, and the guests often all have their own way of measuring. It’s safe to say that the average church attendee traditionally scores a church by what has been referred to as the “A-B-C’s.” “A” stands for “attendance.” If lots of people attend your church, score! “B” stands for “building.” If you have an attractive place to meet on Sunday, score! “C” stands for “cash.” If you church has a large budget, score! Now certainly these aren’t factors to which we should turn a blind eye. They have their purpose. Yet these things seem far from the scorecard Jesus gave in Matthew 28:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
If we are wanting to be significant, and not just successful, the central pursuit of BridgePointe must be to encourage and facilitate movement in people’s relationship with God. Jesus called it, “discipleship”—the process of following after Jesus and being like him. The New Testament refers to it as “growth” or “maturity”—that natural sign of progression. At BridgePointe, we mark such movement in three ways:
1. Discovering faith- Are unchurched people finding a new relationship with God? If so, score!
2. Developing faith- Are they being baptized? Are they volunteering? Are they committing as partners? Are they joining a Life Group? Are they reading their Bibles? Are they attending Deep End workshops? If so, score!
3. Demonstrating faith- Are people outwardly showing acts of compassion by joining ventures that meet needs locally, nationally, and globally? If so, score!
If a church ever looks like they are coming in last, be careful with using the A-B-C scorecard. It may be that they are running in a different race.
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