Left to our own devices, we mortals tend towards establishing our own rules and measures, which favor outwardly visible results as the only indicators of progress.
In many circles, key indicators are sought which provide a penetrating shortcut into the complex task of ascertaining growth, success, profitability, and other fruits of efficiency.
In any organization, these key indicators can soon be mistaken for the actual goals to be achieved, and not respected in their proper role as only insightful indicators or measuring tools.
This shortsightedness is most regrettable in spiritual pursuits, when highly intangible concepts are reduced to a checklist of numeric objectives to accomplish.
Some show themselves to be self-serving in their push for numbers, which allows them a smugness that supersedes sincere service.
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Early in my journey of Church service, I learned the importance of utilizing the Lord's methods for measuring success. These methods must not be substituted for our own, nor should they be twisted to our own benefit.
As a missionary, I used certain key indicators to record information regarding the work being accomplished in my area of stewardship.
I learned quickly that these indicators, such as lessons taught, new investigators found, and converts baptized can become a discouraging distraction if misunderstood, misapplied, and misused.
Too easily, measures such as these can be seen as gauging only the efforts of the missionary and perceived as indicators of their effectiveness or faithfulness.
In many instances, these indicators are employed in an attempt for leaders to define how the Gospel is being taught in a particular area. Rather, such measures are better utilized if they are considered to be indicators of how the Gospel is being received in a particular area.
The role of any spiritual leader is to teach true doctrine and principles and invite others to live them. Their role is not to drag anyone to Zion.
Some leaders operate like a hireling who kicks and prods from the rear, as opposed to a true shepherd, who leads from the front.
Leading from the front requires followers to trust leaders. The Good Shepherd's sheep follow Him because they know His voice. (See John 10)
When we neglect to nourish by the teaching of the word of God, and instead focus only on trying to force the outward doing of things among God's people, we fail.
We may have joy in our works for a season, but the sustaining influence of God will diminish in people's lives if we have insisted only on striving to shape their behavior.
"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior.
The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. ... That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel."
Boyd K. Packer
A complete cycle of ministering must be maintained, including teaching, testifying, and inviting, to which the willing one being reached will respond by knowing, feeling, and doing.
We can't neglect any part of this holy trinity. Each aspect is necessary.
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I am ever grateful for these apt instructions from Paul:
"Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.
For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
But we will not boast of things without (outside) our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth."
2 Corinthians 10
