Monday Morning Insights

Photo of Todd
    .

    Count What Counts…

    Bookmark and Share
    Count What Counts…

    Steven Furtick shares what and why Elevation counts.  They are unapologetically concerned about the numbers.  And rightfully so...

    Steven writes:

    If you follow our ministry, I’m sure you’re aware that we are unapologetically concerned about the numbers.  One of the core ministry values within our staff is: We are all about the numbers.

    Here’s the distinction: it’s good to be concerned with numbers.  But we’ve got to be concerned about the right numbers…for the right reasons.  We’ve got to make sure we’re measuring ministry numbers to measure our effectiveness and enlarge the Kingdom of God…not simply to placate our ego.

    I want to count what counts.  It matters to me how many people show up for a worship experience.  But it also matters to me how many of those same people are plugged into community and embracing Christ centered generosity.  It matters to me how much money we take in.  But it also matters to me how many dollars we are giving back to our community to serve the underserved.  I want my church to grow.  But the day I can’t rejoice at the growth of another Bible preaching church 2 miles down the street with a similar enthusiasm, we have a problem.

    Count the right things.  For the right reasons.

    Question:  What do YOU count?  And why?

    You can read more of Steven's thoughts here...

    Todd

    Comments

    if you want a Globally Recognized Avatar (the images next to your profile) get them here. Once you sign up, they will displayed on any website that supports them.

    1. Oliver on Tue, October 13, 2009

      The bible says that we should watch out for wolves in sheeps clothing, one emphasis that I see vanishing is the concern for false teachers, its everywhere in the Bible.  In the last days, false prophets will come…A false prophet is someone who supposes to be a man of God but speaks and teachings things that are contrary to scripture.  If anyone has listened to this ministry and to this nut job preach, you will quickly hear that it is repleat with false teaching.  This person is one of the most immature leaders I have ever seen.  I would warn against listening to anything they say about ministry.  As far as numbers, of course they don’t matter, they never mattered to Jesus or to Jeremiah.  At the end of Jesus ministry he had a handful of women following him.  God doesn’t count success like we do.  Jesus routinely told people not to say anything to others about what he had done.  When multitudes followed him, he told them to go away, and taught them in parables so that they wouldn’t understand.  By their fruits you shall know them!  beware!

    2. Todd Rhoades on Tue, October 13, 2009

      Today, Oliver, I’m counting positive comments from people named Oliver here at MMI.

      My count is now at zero.

      Seriously.  Why do you stick around here?

      You blast everything I write about.  And then when I block you, you sign in with a different made-up email address to get by my filter.

      You have every right to disagree with everything, you just don’t have the right to use my forum to do so all the time.

      Dude… give it a break.

      Todd

    3. Patrick Moore on Tue, October 13, 2009

      Thank you Todd for addressing “Oliver”.

      I wonder if “Oliver” has ever even heard Steven preach the Word. Yes, he preaches the Word. He is an amazing and gifted communicator of the Gospel and for “Oliver” to throw him under the bus is very offensive to me, others and I think to God. Elevation Church has seen 1,000’s find hope and salvation only found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

      Shame on you “Oliver”. Why don’t you take it up with God and debate with Him as to whether these 1,000’s of Christ followers who have found Jesus through Elevation are for real. For me, that’s not a conversation I’m going to have with God. I am not the judge of other people’s hearts and neither are you “Oliver”.

    4. Leonard on Tue, October 13, 2009

      One of the reasons we count is that counting is a way of making sure we are wise in our stewardship.  I believe we are not just stewards of time, talent and treasure but also opportunity and people.  Thanks Todd for Posting this.

    5. dave anderson on Tue, October 13, 2009

      I am counting the times that Todd makes me laugh.  I lost count with the “oliver” comment.  ROFLMAO.

      Steven gets it.

    6. CS on Tue, October 13, 2009

      I am reminded of a quote from Spurgeon where he essentially says, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch,” when it comes to peoples’ professions of faith.  I believe Furtick and many other notable preachers use numbers far too often without the bearing of fruit, the test of time, or the endurance through tribulation.  It reminds me of the stony ground in the parable of the sower where people get real excited, make a profession, get baptized, but then fall away.


      CS

    7. John Bunn on Wed, October 14, 2009

      If numbers don’t matter then why did Luke record so many numbers in Acts?

      Just askin’.

    8. Shawn on Sat, October 17, 2009

      Numbers absolutely matter.  Every number represents a soul, an opportunity to make a disciple.

      If he were only counting the number of butts in chairs that would be one thing, but he’s counting in order to measure effectiveness.

      We count the number of people who attend our worship gatherings, we count how many of those who are engaged in small groups, then we count how many of those are actively serving others in some measurable way.  If we didn’t, how would we know we were making disciples and not just attenders.

    9. Richard Young on Mon, October 19, 2009

      We stop counting when we don’t have anything to count. Too often the church doesn’t want people to know what they are doing because they are doing nothing. I work with several churches who will die wtihin a few years because they have aging congregations and outdated programs. But they are all against counting because they don’t like the numbers anymore. When they were growing and relevant they shouted their numbers. But today they either don’t count or don’t tell. Excellence should always be proclaimed and mediocraty exposed.

    10. Page 1 of 1 pages

      Post a Comment

    11. (will not be published)

      Remember my personal information

      Notify me of follow-up comments?

    Sponsors