{"id":6267,"date":"2015-07-15T08:40:37","date_gmt":"2015-07-15T00:40:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/?p=6212"},"modified":"2022-08-11T01:24:00","modified_gmt":"2022-08-10T17:24:00","slug":"measuring-the-success-of-contextualization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/2015\/07\/15\/measuring-the-success-of-contextualization\/","title":{"rendered":"Measuring the \u201cSuccess\u201d of Contextualization"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Let\u2019s face it\u2013\u2013 missionaries tend to care a lot about numbers. Whether we\u2019re talking about high numbers of new believers, churches, partnerships, or small groups, many mission strategies measure success via statistics.<\/p>\n

\"sign-success-failure-1055756-1280x960\"<\/a>
Credit: Sigurd Decroos via FreeImages.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u2019ve heard some people rebuff my critiques of certain ministry methods by saying, \u201cA lot of people have come to Christ using XYZ method?\u201d By implication, they are simply asking: Why would I want to take what you are saying seriously when our method is already \u201csuccessful\u201d?<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

This raises a very important question, \u201cHow do we measure the success of contextualization?\u201d<\/p>\n

Given that my recent book advocates a practical approach to contextualization<\/a>, it\u2019s about time I answered this concern head on. (My previous blog post<\/a> explained what it means for our ministries to be \u201ceffective.\u201d Only a part of that answer involves counting.)<\/p>\n

\u201cWill more people believe?\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When it comes to contextualization, I think many people ask themselves a same question (even if it\u2019s not explicitly stated): Will more people accept Christ if we \u201ccontextualize\u201d?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Whatever one\u2019s method or ministry philosophy, we all must acknowledge the same simple fact\u2013\u2013there is no way to know for sure<\/em>. After all, we are not the ones who change people\u2019s hearts.<\/p>\n

Only the Spirit brings about true conviction; our goal is simply to speak with clarity.<\/p>\n

In fact, it is possible that we will contextualize in a biblically faithful and culturally meaningful way yet <\/em>still find that our overall statistics go down. How is that possible?<\/p>\n

Our numbers might go down<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Here are a few possible reasons that our overall ministry numbers could decrease as we contextualize.<\/p>\n

1. We decrease false professions and\/or easy-believism<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Some people will be unwilling to accept the gospel message once they actually understand it. Consider what will happen when people actually find out that Christ commands their allegiance and calls for a whole-life transformation? They will be less likely to profess Christ when they are forced to count the cost.<\/p>\n

2. We decrease confusion<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"domino-1547659-639x852\"<\/a>
Credit: Scouts Caslu via FreeImages.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Good contextualization gives clarity where people otherwise get confused. Perhaps, they misunderstand Christian faith, regarding it as another religious tool to acquire blessing. What if they don\u2019t understand certain concepts because they are couched in foreign terms and ideas? Contextualization helps to clear up muddled impressions, which may actually cause people not <\/em>to \u201cpray a prayer\u201d to receive Christ.<\/p>\n

3. We decrease syncretism<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

It is possible that people will misunderstand foreign sounding presentations and so attempt to explain our message using unbiblical teachings (perhaps from a local religion or cult). Yet, if people realize we are not preaching a message essentially similar to these false teachings, then they may be less willing to make a \u201cprofession of faith.\u201d<\/p>\n

In short, we need only look at the ministry to Jesus. In John 6, he had drawn a large crowd. Precisely when he looked \u201csuccessful,\u201d Jesus filters (i.e. shrinks<\/em>) the crowd with giving them \u201chard\u201d words (6:60).<\/p>\n

Why did Jesus not fear having lower numbers?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"business-5-1246289\"<\/a>
Credit: Svilen Milev via FreeImages.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Verse 64 explains, \u201cFor Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe . . . \u201d (6:64).<\/p>\n

Our numbers might go up<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

On the other hand, one\u2019s overall numbers could increase. Here are a few reasons.<\/p>\n

1. We increase clarity & meaning<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Naturally, when we are clear, people grasp our meaning and therefore will be willing to listen<\/em>. They will see that the gospel is indeed good news<\/em>. As a result, they are willing to believe the gospel.<\/p>\n

2. The gospel increases motivation to obey<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Genuine, holistic obedience comes is a matter of the heart. When the gospel is understood and it changes a person\u2019s heart, he or she desires to obey. Not surprisingly, believers are more eager to share the gospel and live in a way that glorifies Christ. In the long run, we would expect to find more believers whenever people more frequently share the gospel and show Christ\u2019s worth with their entire life.<\/p>\n

3. The gospel increases longevity or endurance of faith<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Genuine faith is a persevering faith. It enables people to endure hard things. As a result, they over time will not only have more opportunities to share the gospel; further, their lives will give the world an attractive witness to the glory of Christ. Collectively, this translates into churches that last and do not die quickly for lack of faith.<\/p>\n

\"berries<\/a><\/p>\n

4. The gospel increases\u00a0character\u00a0fruit<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The gospel is the seed from which comes the fruit of the Spirit. \u201cFruit\u201d is far more than numbers of converts, churches, etc. Scripture emphasizes character<\/em> fruit, as in Gal 5:22\u201323, \u201clove, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.\u201d<\/p>\n

When these fruits characterize the Church, unbelievers will take notice. Our witness will be far less muddied by moral failure. People are then able to see the power and practical significance of the gospel in daily life.<\/p>\n

In this context, we would expect more people to listen to and even accept our gospel witness.<\/p>\n

So, which is it?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Obviously, there are some conflicting factors here. How do we answer the question, \u201cWill more people accept Christ if we contextualize?\u201d<\/p>\n

Simply put, our raw statistics may or may not change. However, . . . and this is key . . . the proportion of genuine believers cannot help but increase<\/span>.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the end, isn\u2019t that what we are after? Don\u2019t we want our \u201cstatistics\u201d to better reflect the actual number of people who genuinely believe and whom we expect to follow Christ for years on end?<\/p>\n

As it is now, too many missionaries have big events where a lot of people \u201cpray to receive Christ\u201d yet missionaries can do little more than hope that some of those people will actually profess Jesus a year later. Even putting it this way is too minimalistic for my taste. We shouldn\u2019t settle for converts; we want disciples.<\/p>\n

Truly successful contextualization makes disciples.<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Let\u2019s face it\u2013\u2013 missionaries tend to care a lot about numbers. Whether we\u2019re talking about high numbers of new believers, churches, partnerships, or small groups, many mission strategies measure success via statistics. I\u2019ve heard some people rebuff my critiques of certain ministry methods by saying, \u201cA lot of people have come to Christ using XYZ […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2368,"featured_media":6483,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,9],"tags":[67,68,115,227],"class_list":["post-6267","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-contextualization","category-missiology","tag-church-growth","tag-church-planting","tag-fruitfulness","tag-success"],"yoast_head":"\nMeasuring the \u201cSuccess\u201d of Contextualization<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Let\u2019s face it\u2013\u2013 missionaries tend to care a lot about numbers. 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