Your Ministry Matters More Than the Numbers
Christian Standard’s annual Church Report offers a snapshot of mission and ministry across independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. Shawn McMullen encourages leaders—especially in small and very small churches—not to measure kingdom impact only by statistics but by faithful service and transformed lives. He urges leaders to prioritize personal holiness and depth with Christ, trusting God with the breadth of ministry.
- Every faithful local ministry counts, regardless of church size or survey stats.
- Focus on depth of life and calling, trusting God with the breadth of impact.
- Make personal holiness and walk with Christ a first priority in leadership.
by Shawn McMullen
This issue of Christian Standard contains our annual Church Report. In preparation for it, we invited independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ from across the U.S. and Canada to participate by completing a survey giving us a glimpse into their mission and ministry during the past year. A huge “Thank you,” by the way, to Kent Fillinger, president of 3:STRANDS Consulting, for collecting and analyzing this data—for the past 22 years!
I’m happy to report that we received a record number of responses to the survey this year. We’ve been praying that more churches will participate, and it’s encouraging to see the momentum building.
As I reviewed the survey reports, particularly those of churches listed as small or very small, I wondered what many of those church leaders thought as they submitted their information. As they read this issue and compare their numbers with those of the largest churches, they may think they’re not doing enough for the kingdom.
I’d like to counter that thought and affirm that every ministry matters. Regardless of the stats you post, if you’re faithfully serving Christ in the local church, what you’re doing counts. Never underestimate the eternal impact of the lives that are being changed, the families that are growing in their faith, and the followers of Christ who are being discipled in the church you’re serving, no matter its size.
Depth Before Breadth
And let’s consider something else that has tremendous potential to impact our ministries, regardless of the size of the church we serve. I’m referring to the quality of the leader’s life. The late John MacArthur, who for 56 years led Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, was known for saying, “You take care of the depth of your ministry and let God take care of the breadth of it.”
First Things First
That’s sound guidance both for the way we live and the way we fulfill our calling. Your first ministry priority is to be the person God meant for you to be when you became a Christian, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24, New International Version).
Nineteenth century preacher Robert Murray M’Cheyne put it this way: “It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.”
So, let’s put first things first. As we continue to lead and serve and love those God has placed under our care, let’s make our personal walk with Christ and our personal pursuit of holiness the priorities they deserve to be. Then, let’s give God the room and time he needs to work through our lives and service to build the kingdom as he chooses to build it.
Author: Shawn McMullen
Shawn McMullen serves as vice president of partner relations for the Christian Church Leadership Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio.
