Developing a Discipleship System
Reading the Pulse of Your Church
by Ralph E. Bauserman, Evangelism Consultant, General Board of Discipleship

When a nurse or doctor takes a person's pulse, that reading provides some indication of the person's health and well being. In addition, the reading may even provide valuable insight into the quality of life that individual may expect in the future. For precisely the same reason, each church — if it is serious about its health, well being and effectiveness — must have carefully designed ways of taking its own pulse.

In far too many instances, no one is checking the pulse of the church. There are no lines of accountability. The right questions are seldom asked! Therefore, such churches simply go through the motions of existing, consumed with matters of maintenance and survival. It never occurs to the leaders that they need to evaluate the church's mission, strategy, and effectiveness. It is possible for a church to be nearly dead. with little detectable pulse. People may not even notice!

Alive and vital churches with effective discipleship systems always have — without exception — visionary leadership, a clear sense of mission, a well-conceived strategy, and carefully drawn lines of accountability. Those in leadership positions have no fear of accountability, and they are very intentional about taking the pulse of the church!

There are some things that leaders must know if they are to keep the church on course in its mission of making disciples. In vital churches, meetings are characterized by hard questions related to strategy and accountability — questions such as:

• What are the trends in worship attendance and financial stewardship?
• How many first-time visitors were present in recent months? Is that number increasing or decreasing?
• What is/is not working in Sunday school and Bible study?

When evaluating the number of people who visit the church, effective leaders will ask, "Did we find them, or did they find us?" Such leaders will then evaluate the church's follow-up strategy to determine if it is working appropriately.

If a church is serious about making disciples, its leaders will look carefully at how many people are taking the vows of membership and making professions of faith. It is critical to study the church's long-term membership trends. In all these areas, accurate records must be maintained and kept available so that church leaders may do continuous study and evaluation.

Think about your next administrative council or board meeting. Will there be quality time spent in examining the church's discipleship system? Will the right questions be asked? Will the leaders of your church hold one another accountable for the faithful execution of your church's strategy?

Will you dare take an honest reading of the pulse of your church?

posted 1-8-02