Evaluating Ministry Through the 'Size Instinct' Lens
In our ongoing Healthy Church Staff Podcast series, we've been unravelling Hans Rosling's perspectives on human instincts from his book 'Factfulness.' Today’s focus is the ‘Size Instinct.’
The Size Instinct in Church Leadership
The 'Size Instinct' is our tendency to interpret a single number in isolation, often exaggerating its significance without considering the context. In the realm of church leadership, we often track numbers— attendance, giving, baptisms, all crucial metrics. However, the danger lies in becoming so fixated on singular numbers that they end up dictating our moods, strategies, and even our sense of success or failure.
A clear manifestation of this instinct is when we overreact to short-term fluctuations. A week's dip in attendance or a significant donation can easily send us spiralling into panic, or create a false sense of security, respectively. This instinct can cause us to lose sight of the bigger picture as we forget to consider long-term trends and underlying factors.
Overcoming the Size Instinct
Rosling advises putting things into perspective - comparing numbers and seeking context. In the church, this means taking a more holistic approach when evaluating our ministries. It’s about looking beyond simplistic measurables, and considering the depth of engagement, quality of relationships, and the genuine impact on people’s lives.
So, how do we gently curb the 'Size Instinct'?
- Understand Context: Go beyond isolated numbers and understand their relationship to other aspects of the church.
- Holistic Evaluation: Look beyond just attendance or giving figures.
- Celebration of Faithful Giving: Recognize that true success is not solely measurable by numbers.
Looking Beyond Numbers
The 'Size Instinct' can easily cloud our judgment and distort our priorities. It is pivotal for us to understand numbers in their proper context, focusing on holistic factors integral to church growth. As we navigate our instincts, maintaining a focus on long-term growth, faithfulness, and transformed lives will help strike a balance.
Gain more insights on the 'Size Instinct' and how it impacts church leadership in today's Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode. Let's not just count the people, but also make the count matter.
