Insights for Change is our new series to pose questions and share short insights (our own and others’) for thinking creatively about faith and social change. They may be full-baked, half-baked, or just a pile of raw ingredients to play with. We hope they start conversation or inspire ideas. We invite you to add your own thoughts, experiences, and ideas to the mix.
In April, we hosted an insightful conversation with Henry De Sio, Stephen Lewis, and Rabbi Elan Babchuck about how people and communities of faith can lead in a world of explosive change. One thread that emerged in the conversation was the question of how faith institutions think about success in a changing world. As Elan explained, “The old way has an old set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). And largely in faith, it’s budgets, butts [in seats], and buildings. As long as those are the things we’re measuring, we’re in the entertainment industry, we’re not in the transformation industry.” So let’s start imagining a different framework, one that helps us position our leadership to bring transformation to an increasingly complex world. What would that look like?
Such a question should start with why we exist as faith communities. While every faith community or institution may have a different answer to that question—rooted in the teachings of our respective scriptures, prophets, ancestors—we do have some common approaches to transformation—rooted in our spiritual power, community power, and change power. Perhaps we should look there to design our metrics.
How effectively do we support individuals’ spiritual needs?
Not just the spiritual needs of our members or the people who walk in our doors, but literally anyone we can reach.
How effectively do we build community?
Not just among the regular butts in seats, but for those in our neighborhood, city, world who desperately need connection. And across lines of difference that are keeping or driving people apart.
How effectively do we contribute to positive change in the world?
Not only “how many people did our soup kitchen serve today,” which can perversely link our success to more hungry people, but how effective have we been at eliminating hunger in our community or at empowering people to sustainably move out of poverty? Also, are we multipliers of changemakers - do we empower and equip the people in our orbit to contribute to positive change in the world?
The most powerful efforts we can design and undertake will likely fall at the intersection of all three questions because ultimately, they’re all linked. We thrive spiritually when we engage in community to make positive contributions to the world.
But thinking beyond budgets, butts, and buildings requires bravery. During the April conversation, Henry suggested that “to be able to grow and thrive, you have to be able to break up with your reputation and your revenue model.” Stephen added that we have to find ways “to give funerals to the forms that no longer work.” All three speakers noted the immense courage that change requires. Are we ready?
How else might faith communities think about new metrics for thriving in a changing world? We welcome your ideas!