How do you measure effectiveness in ministry? Among church leaders, the gauge has shifted in the last 20 years.

In the early 1980s, when I began observing ministry closely and editing a journal for church leaders, the prevailing assumption was that effectiveness equaled attracting a crowd. Leaders would downplay the eternal significance of counting "nickels and noses," but increased attendance and offerings were seen as evidence of success.

"A healthy church is a growing church," we heard repeatedly.

In the last 20 years, however, we've witnessed plenty of ministries that touch lots of people but leave no discernible mark upon them. Some pastors have confessed, "We can attract a crowd but not know what to do with them, other than invite them to come back next week."

More recently, church leaders have been seeking better ways to gauge whether their ministry is faithful and effective.

ARE LIVES BEING CHANGED?

The most obvious indicator is lives that ...