Mikevalue of surveys. I think a targeted survey can provide great insights into this question. In a simple survey, you can ask members to self-report on:
- The number of people they’ve invited to church in the past 3 months.
- The number of spiritual conversations they’ve had with non-believers in the past 3 months.
- On a 1-10 scale, how comfortable they are sharing their faith.
- On a 1-10 scale, how important it is that they share their faith with others.
Interesting thought, Mike. You seem to be suggesting the application of the Hawthorne Effect, “What gets measured gets done.” I wonder, though, how applicable this principle is in a context where there’s an indwelling God who is acting upon, with, and for His people.
While I guess it’s possible that God would use such a survey to raise the evangelistic temperature of his people, it seems at least equally likely that His ongoing work in the hearts and minds of the members of his congregation will inspire them to go out and do Kingdom Work.
If that’s the case, then creating a ‘culture of sanctification’ would serve at least equally well as a survey.
Great comment, John. I agree that real spiritual change only occurs if the Holy Spirit is at work in people’s lives. This includes evangelistic behavior (for those who are believers) and response to the gospel (for those who aren’t). While I’m not trying to suggest anything to replace the role of the Spirit, I am suggesting that pastors and church leaders should seek to know what is happening in their congregations. If they think “we’re very evangelistic” but no one is actually living incarnational lives, this should prompt a leadership response.