The Value of Numbers

marioby Mario Vega

Goals are essential in order to have cells multiplying. Since we started our work we began to establish clear goals for each zone pastor. But, targets arereporting meaningless if you don’t know where you are standing at a present time.

For this reason, it soon became necessary to handle several reports that would allow us to know the real status of the work. In those reports each leader writes down information such as the attendance of Christians in his cell, the number of guests, the number of conversions, etc.

Each supervisor consolidates the information received from his leaders in a sectors’ report. Then, the zone pastor prepares his consolidated result with the sum of the reports of his supervisors. Then, the district pastor consolidates the information with the sum of the reports of his zones. Finally, you get the consolidated result for the church by the sum of reports of the districts.

Although it seems that this is a cumbersome work, to be honest, it is done fluently and fast. We have each week the cell work statistics’ of the previous week and we know exactly the results. On that basis we can plan, project ourselves and mend deficiencies.

Normally, churches are not used to handle accurate calculations of its members. But in our case, it has enabled us to know where we are, where we come from and where we are heading. What is your opinion on this topic?

 

Mario

Spanish:
El valor de los números.

Las metas son esenciales para tener células que se multiplican. Desde que iniciamos nuestro trabajo comenzamos a establecer metas claras para cada Pastor de zona. Pero, las metas no tienen sentido si no se sabe en qué lugar se encuentra uno en el presente.

Por tal motivo, pronto se hizo necesario llevar una serie de reportes que nos permitan conocer el estado real del trabajo. En los reportes cada lder escribe datos tales como la cantidad de cristianos presentes en su célula, la cantidad de invitados, el número de conversiones, etc.
Cada supervisor consolida la información que recibe de sus lderes en un reporte de sector.
Luego, el pastor de zona hace su consolidado con la suma de los reportes de sus supervisores.
Luego, el pastor de distrito consolida los datos con la suma de los reportes de sus zonas. Finalmente, tengo el consolidado de la iglesia por la suma de los reportes de los distritos.
Aunque parece que éste es un trabajo engorroso, en verdad, se realiza de una manera muy fluida y rápida. Cada semana tenemos las estadsticas del trabajo celular de la semana anterior y sabemos con exactitud los resultados. Sobre esa base podemos planear, proyectarnos y corregir lo deficiente.

Normalmente, las iglesias no son muy dadas a llevar cuentas exactas de sus miembros. Pero, en nuestro caso, ellas nos han permitido saber adónde estamos, de dónde venimos y hacia dónde vamos. ¿Qué piensa usted del tema?

 

4 thoughts on “The Value of Numbers

  • Not so much a comment but more a question… How do you and how do you encourage others to not get wrapped up in the numbers over the importance of equipping… or is there something I am missing.

  • Mario,

    I think your comments about metrics is an important one. It is first difficult to chart ahead for the future unless we know where we’ve been, and where we are presently.

    While the reporting may seem cumbersome, there are computer software programs such as “Excellerate” that are specifically designed for cell theme churches that facilitate the reporting process. Excellerate is designed for Cell Churches that use either the 5X5 or G-12 cell church models, but can be customized for other models if desired.

  • Es muy interesante la idea de un sistema computarizado para los reportes. Eso estaría bien por varios aspectos. Uno de ellos es que se podrían conocer los datos no sólo de la Iglesia madre sino de toda la misión.

    No obstante,para nosotros que conocemos el sistema de Elim podemos darnos cuenta de la eficacia para llevar los datos. Todo comienza con un reporte sencillo del líder que lleva el número de invitados y conversiones, ofrendas y asistencia del culto dominical y por último se convierte en un reporte completo de distrito. Pero a cada uno de los que llena un reporte le cuesta menos de 5 minutos llenarlo. Todos los miembros del sistema celular llenan un reporte, y según el rango se complementan entre sí.

    Con el sistema celular se aprende a ser organizado y a valorar los datos. Aunque en Elim tambien se nos enseña a no basarnos sólo en los números sino en las personas. Excelente blog pastor Vega

  • It is very interesting the idea of a system computerized for reports. That would be good for several aspects. One of them is that we could know the data not only of the Church mother but also of the entire mission. However, for us that know the system of Elim, we can realize the effectiveness of transferring the data. It all starts with a report simple of the leader that carries the number of guests and conversions, offerings and assistance of the Sunday’s reunion and finally it becomes a full report of the district. In addition, it takes you less than 5 minutes to complete it. All the members of the cellular system fill a report, and according to the range, it will complement each other.

    With the cell system, we learn to organize and to analyze the data. Although Elim also teaches us to not only, be worry about numbers but in the people. Excellent blog Pastor Vega.

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