Doing the Math of Mission: Fruits, Faithfulness, and Metrics - Hardcover

Rendle Senior Vice President Texas Methodist Foundation; Author Of Doing The Math, Gil

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1566997542 ISBN 13: 9781566997546

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2014

Synopsis

Over the past ten years, the North American mission field has experienced dramatic changes, which in turn have required congregations, middle judicatories, and denominations to adapt. Among these adaptations is an expectation for clear goals and quantified progress towards those goals. Church leaders who have never needed to measure their goals and progress with metrics may find this change daunting. The use of metrics—denominational and middle judicatory dashboards, and the tracking of congregational trends—has become an uncomfortable and misunderstood practice in this search for accountability.

Doing the Math of Mission offers theory, models, and new tools for using metrics in ministry. This book also shows where metrics and accountability fit into the discernment, goal setting, and strategies of ministry.

While there are resources for research on congregations, tools on congregational studies, and books on program evaluation, there is a gap when it comes to actual tools and resources for church leaders. This book is intended to help fill that gap, giving leaders a toolbox they can use in their own setting to clarify their purpose and guide their steps.

Resource materials that leaders can use in their own setting are available. In order to obtain this material, please contact resourcematerial@rowman.com.

About this title

About the Author:

Gil Rendle serves as senior consultant with the Texas Methodist Foundation in Austin, Texas, and as an independent consultant working with denominational leaders on issues of change and leadership. Prior to this position he served the Alban Institute as an author, seminar leader, and senior consultant. He is the author of seven earlier books including Journey in the Wilderness: New Life for Mainline Churches and Back to Zero: The Search to Rediscover the Methodist Movement.

Review:

Doing the Math of Mission is a seminal work that merits a deep embrace by struggling mainline Protestants. Rendle challenges us to move beyond counting to measuring purposeful outcomes related to the deep mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. The critical shift of focus from inputs to measurable outcomes which reflect clarity of purpose offers specific and concrete guidance to any congregational leader (lay and clergy alike) or any judicatory executive. Framed in a sound theology, Doing the Math of Mission provides crucial material to build a bridge to the future of God’s preference of the Church. (Mike Lowry, Resident Bishop, Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church)

Gil Rendle helps church leaders translate their hard work and good intentions into changed lives and redeemed communities by understanding the “math of mission.” He carefully outlines and illustrates how churches can move from activities to outcomes in ways that are both understandable and realistic. (Lovett H. Weems Jr., Wesley Theological Seminary; author of Focus)

Gil Rendle has provided the church a useful analysis of a difficult topic. Congregations and their leaders will find what numbers motivate and what numbers do not. Rendle points to a system that can move faith leaders to a greater sense of purpose. (Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk, General Assembly, Presbyterian Church USA)

As a denominational official responsible for monitoring our progress, I can testify to the incredible usefulness of Gil's work. By holding up the "competing truths" about measuring he allows us to move beyond the usual polarities into something truly useable as well as faithful. This work has already helped us transform our relationship to our Board, and hopefully our ultimately accountability to those we serve and to those whom we aspire to serve. (Dr. Terasa G. Cooley, Program and Strategy Officer, Unitarian Universalist Association)

Gil Rendle sparks a new and needed conversation about metrics and congregational experience. Do you sense some resistance? Well, it is worthwhile to manage your discomfort. The book functions as both a spirituality of evaluation and a practical toolkit. Pay close attention to the section on talking about outcomes instead of process. It just might change your ministry. (Tim Shapiro, President, Indianapolis Center for Congregations)

Doing the Math of Mission is not for the faint of heart but the message is clear. The numbers show North American protestant denominations declining. For any pastor or leader, this is a painful but necessary book that can guide our churches toward a better future. (The Farmville Herald)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1566997542
• ISBN 13: 9781566997546
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 156