Beyond the Numbers: Measuring Ministry Impact

by

Special to United Methodist Insight

I began in ministry 20 years ago as a youth leader at a small church. With meager resources and an even more meager salary, I worked to build something profound, something that would bring youth into the kingdom of God. Over the almost seven years I was at the church, the ministry was able to connect with youth from seven different school districts, two of which were considered rivals. We were able to go on week-long mission trips and outreach programs within our community. I was able to be there for them when tragedy struck, and a car wreck took the lives of 4 of their classmates.

After six years, we had brought families into the church, unchurched teenagers into a vibrant relationship with God, and saw several college students get involved with campus ministries who otherwise would have likely drifted away from the church. The church finances were in such a state that they were considering eliminating my position, and when I asked if I could come before the church board and lay out the tremendous impact the youth and now young adult ministry has had on the church and wider community, I was told there was no need, simply to submit my attendance sheets and the “numbers” of those attending and my budget expenditures. It turns out that the numerical growth was not high enough to salvage the position and a year later I moved to a new faith community to start over.

For too long, churches have equated ministry success with attendance numbers. Even when things were going well in most churches, numerical data was often one-dimensional without any real evaluative worth. While filling pews is certainly the average church’s goal, especially in a post-COVID-19 lockdown reality, it's a limited metric that doesn't capture the true depth and breadth of a ministry's impact. In an age where authentic connection and transformative experiences are paramount, we need to move beyond the numbers game and explore more meaningful ways to measure the fruitfulness of our ministries.  

Let's face it: a packed house doesn't necessarily translate to transformed lives. In fact, in my own experiences working as a consultant in many small and midsize churches, it is often the smaller congregations that are seeing the greatest impact on the lives of those involved. Some of my most successful ministry experiences have been with hospice spouse care groups and divorce support teams with minimal numbers but immense personal, social, and spiritual impacts. True impact is about the ripple effect, the lasting change that occurs within individuals and communities inside of a ministry, but how do we measure this intangible transformation? How do we make a pie chart or spreadsheet tracking spiritual growth?

Shifting the Focus: From Counting Heads to Counting Hearts

The key is to move from quantitative to qualitative measurements, from counting heads to counting hearts. This requires a shift in perspective, focusing on the stories, experiences, and transformations that occur within our ministries. Author and qualitative researcher Brené Brown often explains that while quantitative data (numbers and statistics) provides valuable overviews and measurable evidence, it often lacks the depth and context of stories and experiences. She argues that solely relying on numbers can dehumanize individuals and obscure the emotional impact of our work, while stories bring data to life and foster empathy. Therefore, effective research and ministry evaluation require a balanced approach, using quantitative data to demonstrate need and track progress, while simultaneously gathering qualitative data to understand the human experience and the "why" behind the "what," creating a more complete and accurate picture of impact.

So how do we train ourselves and those who evaluate our ministries to understand the human experience of the “why” to create those accurate pictures? We must reform how we articulate wins. As I put forth in the beginning of this article, I could easily see the ministry's health and the fruit it produce, I just needed to learn how to share it with people in an effective way beyond statistics and numbers.

One powerful way to share that impact with others is through storytelling. Encourage participants to share their experiences, both positive and negative. Collect testimonials, write case studies, and create videos that showcase the transformative power of your ministries. It is better to have a single new disciple deeply in love with God and the church than a hundred teenagers showing up for free pizza and to play dodgeball that are not being taught or challenged at all. We have to find a way to combine our numerical obsession and data-driven outlook with the human experience. It's about combining quantitative and qualitative data, listening to the voices of those we serve, and celebrating the small victories along the way, because the small victories along they way may be the ones that lead to profound spiritual change.

For some examples of how we can approach understanding our ministries’ impact on the Kingdom of God, here are some creative examples of some different ministries:

A Ukulele Ministry

Instead of just counting participants, consider:

  • Qualitative Surveys: Ask participants about their sense of belonging, connection to others, and spiritual growth.
  • Storytelling Sessions: Create opportunities for participants to share how the ministry has impacted their lives.
  • Community Performances: Measure the impact on the wider community through feedback from audience members and local organizations.

A Community Garden Ministry

Beyond the amount of produce grown or plots rented, consider:

  • Increased Food Security: Track the number of families receiving fresh produce and measure the impact on their health and well-being.
  • Community Connections: Document the number of volunteers from different backgrounds who participate and measure the increase in social cohesion.
  • Environmental Impact: Track the reduction in food waste and the increase in biodiversity.

An Online Grief Support Group

Instead of counting participants, consider:

  • Testimonials: Collect stories of how the group has provided comfort and support during difficult times.
  • Emotional Well-being Surveys: Measure changes in participants' levels of grief, anxiety, and depression.
  • Community Building: Track the number of online connections and support networks formed within the group.

A Mentorship Program for At-Risk Youth

Instead of only tracking how many youths are in the program, consider:

  • Behavioral Changes: Track improvements in school attendance, grades, and social skills.
  • Personal Growth Stories: Document stories of resilience, hope, and transformation.
  • Long-Term Impact: Follow up with participants years later to assess the lasting impact of the program.

By shifting our focus from counting heads to counting hearts, we can gain a deeper understanding of the true impact of our ministries and create a church that is truly making a difference in the world. By shaping our evaluations on the human experience of our ministry work, we can share the faithful work the ministry does to build the Kingdom of God within individuals and begin to understand how we might further its reach.

So, when the numbers come up, consider how you might frame your reflections and assessment as more than attendance and budget date. Consider how you can share the life and story of Jesus working in your people.

The Rev. Kellen Roggenbuck serves Stoughton UMC in Stoughton, Wisconsin, and teaches Evangelism and Discipleship at the Iowa Conference Licensing School.