Time with Sharon: How to measure fruitfulness

October 2008

For several years now, we have been tracking our hours of service and prayer each week by filling out the brightly colored Stewardship Record sheets that come in our Sunday bulletins and dropping them in the Offering Plate. It has been a way to remind ourselves that our discipleship goes beyond attending worship and putting our check into the plate (two really important commitments), but that we have also pledged to support our church with our prayers and service.

With his emphasis on leading us to grow into more fruitful churches, Bishop Schnase has asked that we track the fruit of our ministries together, including hands-on mission and service, and intentional faith development through study, discussion, and learning. To do that, we have modified the Stewardship Record a bit so that we can name the time spent cooking and driving dinner down to Shalom House, or preparing and attending a Bible study class. These are two examples of the “fruits” of a growing, caring church. Gathering this information will help our bishop (and us) know how we are living out our commitment to God through LPUMC.

It may seem a strange thing to be doing paperwork at church. But I think this is a good thing. Ours is a connectional system, and it will be helpful to the Conference to know which churches in the connection are vibrant and alive, and which ones need some help turning in that direction. It also helps us stay accountable to God, to our church, and to ourselves. To be active in our faith walk is far more stimulating and gratifying than to be a passive participant. Every time I fill out one of those little record sheets, I am reminded that I did something this week (or I didn’t) that contributed to helping build God’s Kingdom in our present and in our future.

Churches that are learning and serving together are exciting places to be. And so I suspect the ultimate measure of our fruitfulness will be felt over time as others are attracted to come and experience God with us through worship and the bevy of great ministries that happen here. In the meantime, please help us with our record keeping. It only takes a moment and is anonymous, so if you’ve had a lousy week, no one will be wagging a finger at you. It will be good for the greater connection, good for our church, and good for each of us in our own walk with Christ.


God bless your walk,
Sharon
lpassociate@sbcglobal.net