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Assessing the Work of Missions by
John Nicholls
"How are we doing?" Everyone asks the question at one time or another. The sprinter, training for the big event, wants to know if times are improving. The javelin-thrower wants to know if the throws are longer. The farmer checks the yields from his cornfields and the milk production of his cows. The soldier needs to know if his re-loading and targeting skills are becoming quicker and more accurate. "How are we doing?" Now athletes, farmers and soldiers are all used in the Bible to illustrate the Christian life and Christian ministry. "How are we doing?" is a natural question for us in City Mission, too. One day, like the master who left his servants with various "talents", Jesus will ask, "How have you done?" And wise servants don’t wait until the last day to ask themselves the same question. "How are we doing?" What use are we making of all the gifts and resources that Jesus had entrusted to us? Are we using well the precious days and years of our short lives? What more could we be doing? Because we’re imperfect people, living in a world that is made extra-complicated by human disobedience to God, it’s not a simple question to answer. We live in a society that has over-dosed on job appraisals, reviews, targets and goals. So there’s often a groan of weariness or cynicism when someone asks the question. But if we’re going to be faithful to Jesus, and make the most of the resources and opportunities he gives us, we do need to ask, - wisely and humbly - "How are we doing?" Here are some pointers from different parts of the Bible, that we in LCM find helpful as we try to assess our ministries: 1. Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10). Peter had his own ideas about ministry – and they didn’t include going to Gentiles! As a devout Jew, Peter would never touch or eat anything "unclean". But God moved Peter out of his comfort-zone and into the new mission-field of his world-wide grace. The vision on the house-top at Joppa made the point, and the conversion of Cornelius drove it home. But Peter still had a tendency to slip back into his old way of thinking – as Paul tells us in Galatians 2:11-14. Peter would have felt much easier if he’d always ministered in a Jewish setting. But if he’d done that, he would have missed out on God’s great gospel purpose! "How are we doing?" doesn’t mean "Are we doing things that we’ve always felt good about?", but "Are we going where God is leading us today?" 2. Paul and Timothy (2 Timothy 2:15). Ministry is serious business, answerable to God and under his constant scrutiny. We need to study carefully and do our very best, or we risk being ashamed! And the very best that God is looking for is that we use the word of truth – the Biblical gospel – in a way that is faithful to God’s message, right in line with his purpose, and appropriate for the spiritual needs of the people we’re ministering to. "How are we doing?" must never mean "How popular are we?", but must always begin with "Are we passing on God’s truth in the way our gracious God wants us to, to bring light to those who are in darkness, comfort and peace to those who are over-burdened?" 3. Jesus at Capernaum (Mark 1:33) Mark tells us that, on that amazing evening at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, "the whole city was gathered around the door". If our ministry is a real Jesus-ministry, we will be in touch with whole communities. Jesus was not a recluse, waiting for people to make appointments to come and see him. He was out on the streets and highways, encountering, engaging, and responding. He’s still "going into all the world", and mission is simply us tagging along with him! (Matthew 28:19,20). "How are we doing?" means asking, "How many non-Christians are we in contact with? How many people are we in a position to respond to, when they cry out in pain or confusion or anger?" 4. Jerusalem – Adding to the Church (Acts 2:47)…Those were wonderful days for the Christian Church! Pentecost had produced a community different from anything seen before – committed, bold, caring and growing. It was unmistakeable to everyone that becoming a believer in Jesus meant becoming part of Jesus’ church. Thousands were added! Those who responded to the gospel message became "obedient to the faith", and met each other’s needs with selfless generosity. They became part of a "one another fellowship". Now if that’s the Biblical pattern for the "output" of gospel ministry, it follows that another key way of assessing ministry is to ask how many people have joined Jesus’ Church. Individuals’ prayers of commitment can be very encouraging, but what we’re really looking and praying for is changed lives, now dedicated to Jesus, and surrendered to live for him in the service of all his people, and of the whole world. "How are we doing?" It can be a tricky question to ask. Too often we hide our disappointments and when people ask "Are you encouraged?" we find something positive to say. Of course, as long as God’s on the throne and Jesus is Lord, there’s reason to have courage! But we need to look honestly and seriously at how our ministries are measuring up to these – and other – Biblical markers. Are we simply making ourselves feel good, or are we really taking the Gospel to those who have not heard it? Are we communicating the whole truth, in a wise, gracious and faithful way? Are we in serious contact with a significant number of people who do not share our faith? And is our ministry bringing people through into committed membership in Christ’s church? The answers may not always please us. There is a "holy discouragement" – when (like Paul) we feel pain because of the unresponsiveness of so many to the message we proclaim, or when we grieve over those who seemed so promising, but have quickly turned aside from the truth. Ultimately, we answer to God – and however good or bad we feel about our ministries, what must really concern us is how God thinks we’re doing! Dr. John Nicholls is Chief Executive of the London City Mission
www.lcm.org.uk
 
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