The Power of Measuring Spiritual Progress: Part 1

By Brian Phipps

Bakers measure ingredients to make tasty cookies. Business executives measure key performance indicators to stay profitable. Sports teams measure points to make games exciting for their fans. Construction workers measure materials twice to ensure a good cut.

If measuring helps ensure success in so many ventures, why do so few apply it to spiritual formation? How fruitful could followers of Jesus be with proper growth objectives and check-ins?

Over the past decade, I have led cohorts that measure spiritual progress. We measure the evidence of the Spirit’s work: the Fruit of the Spirit and the use of their Spirit-given gifts. These cohorts have rendered unprecedented increases in both outcomes, positively changing lives.

But there is a problem.

For many, there is resistance to using systems of measurement in spiritual formation. I recently posted the first two paragraphs of this article on my social media pages, curious to see the responses. Most of the feedback challenged the use of measurements in spiritual initiatives, a result I expected based on many other conversations I have had. This begs the question: What deters us from adding helpful measurables to our spiritual formation goals?

There are at least two myths people believe that cause them to reject this potential. Here, I will unpack these myths and provide reasons to dispel them. My goal is to spark meaningful conversations that inspire more Fully Alive lives. 

Myth #1:  Measuring Growth Is Defeating

I generally hate getting on the bathroom scales. I am not a thin man, and I prefer to avoid measuring my weight … especially after a vacation filled with poor eating choices! That said, I have discovered that there is something worse than measuring my weight — not having the facts about my health. 

Life without facts allows worry and uncertainty to fester. Facts about my weight will either assure me I am OK or motivate me to change. Facts clear out the question marks. In other words, the clarity we receive from measuring and acquiring data can often be empowering, not defeating.

Ultimately, most of us know there is a gap between who we are and who we could be. And, if we don’t have the facts on how to close that gap    — which proper objectives and measurements can provide — that gap and its question marks will remain a haunting mystery.

Myth #2: Measuring Growth Is Graceless & Legalistic

One of the foundations of spiritual freedom is knowing that we are saved by God's grace. Many passages in the Bible declare there is nothing we can do to earn God's salvation, and I agree with them. That said, measuring spiritual growth is not a strategy for earning salvation at all. Instead, measuring helps us live into the fullness of that salvation! 

My friend Myra articulated this beautifully just the other day. She explained how she experiences the power of measuring spiritual growth in her life, saying, “Measuring for measurement's sake isn't helpful. Measurement for comparison to another is damaging. Measuring legalistically will maim and kill. But putting some kind of measure to God's immeasurable grace at work in me encourages me. It challenges me to experience more of it and to give it away to others."

To dispel this myth further, check out what Peter says in the Bible about measurable progress:

“Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For, if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive. Make every effort to confirm your calling and election.” (2 Peter 1: 5-10) NIV

Did you see the phrase, “increasing measure?” Peter is making it clear that progress… measurable progress… is expected.  Measuring spiritual growth is not graceless or legalistic. Being able to measure meaningful progress brings peace, security, and confidence… all of which are characteristics of living life to the full. 

Start Measuring Your Growth Today

Download the Fully Alive by Disciples Made app for free and take the MyImpact Equation. 

Stay tuned!  In Part Two of this blog, I will share why we measure with our MyImpact Equation: Character X Calling = Impact.  

To learn more about the biblical background driving Fully Alive tools and methods, check out our free Fully Alive e-book (40-minute read).