The Pound for Pound Church

Greatness must involve victory over quality opposition or against significant odds.

In the boxing world I have just described Manny Pacquiao. He has been appropriately labeled by fans of the sport, bloggers, sportswriters, and fellow boxers as the best “pound for pound” fighter in the modern era. In other words, as a boxer who has won titles in eight lighter weight divisions, he is never going to fight for the “heavyweight” championship of the world. That’s because he is five feet six inches and weighs in at a hundred and fifty pounds all wet in his street clothes. He is not going to be remembered like a Muhammad Ali because his greatness in the sport is measured in different dimensions. These include: how many weight divisions he has won, the quality of his opponents, and his skills in the ring. Add to these: hand speed, punching power, and work rate. In this way, a “pound for pound” fighter designation gives you the greater measure of the boxer.

As pastors and members we easily confuse the measure of greatness in the local church. We all know and admire the heavyweights whose numbers are the size of small to medium size cities (I should know because I am in one of those churches). But over the years my senior pastor has taught me not to elevate numbers beyond other dimensions of measurement God considers more important. He knows and I know that numbers are not synonymous with church health, depth in disciple making, or God’s justice being delivered locally through our efforts. Those categories often lag far behind charismatic preaching and a robust weekend attendance.

My point? God weighs churches pound for pound not seat for seat. Read more