Your congregation is committed to growth and understands that growth in numbers results from other kinds of growth. You also know it is important to set goals and measure how well you are doing.

But you are wise enough to know that it is impossible to link attendance numbers to any one "cause" from your growth initiatives. What should you measure? When facing adaptive challenges, it can often be counterproductive to use old measurements. Instead, brainstorm the kinds of behaviors you want people to have to help you meet your yearly ministry goals:

• How many first-time visitors received hand-written notes?
• How many people talked to each visitor at coffee hour?
• What percentage of adult members participate in small group ministry?
• What percentage of your youth serve on ministry teams?
• What percentage of your board members are under 40?
• How many youth and adults participate in events/initiatives organized by your social action team?
• What is the ratio of pastoral visits by the minister(s) to those by your lay pastoral visitors?

The only way to help change the culture in our congregations is to figure out how to help the members develop new behaviors that will lead to that culture change.