More than Butts and Bucks
Posted July 15th, 2025
This Sunday, July 20th, we’re inviting you to participate in a short congregational survey. This is something we first did in January, and we’re doing it again now—six months later—to take another honest, hopeful snapshot of how we’re doing as a church. It’s not a test. It’s not an evaluation. It’s a way of paying attention: What is God doing among us? Where are we seeing movement? And where might we be invited to grow next?
Every organization needs ways to measure what matters most. Metrics help us focus on our mission and tell us if we’re actually moving the dial toward what we’re called to do. But here’s the thing—most churches default to measuring “nickels and noses” (or as some jokingly say, “butts and bucks”). Attendance and giving are easy to track, but they offer a very limited view of how the Kingdom of God is actually moving among us.
At Clarksburg Church, we want a different picture.
We return again and again to our Rule of Life: BELLS—a way of living that helps us embody Kingdom values both inside and outside the church walls.
Bless others → Generosity
Eat with others → Hospitality
Listen to the Holy Spirit → Spirit-led living
Learn Christ → Christlikeness
Sent into the world → Mission
If we are a people practicing these rhythms, then we believe the Kingdom of God will become more visible in the everyday places we dwell—our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and beyond.
While we can track programs and participation inside the building, that’s only about 10% of what’s happening. The other 90%? That’s happening out there—in your sent spaces. Which is exactly what this survey is meant to capture.
You won’t be asked to give your name, and we’re not tracking individuals. This isn’t about making you feel guilty for what you haven’t done—or prideful about what you have. We’re all on a journey. We move at the pace of the Holy Spirit. The only real reflection here is: Have I been open to the Spirit’s movement in my life lately?
To help you feel ready, here are a few examples of the kinds of questions on the survey:
Have you identified your “sent space”?
How often have you shown hospitality or offered encouragement in the last three months?
Are you regularly engaging in prayer or scripture outside of church gatherings?
Do you feel equipped to live missionally where you are?
Are you mentoring, being mentored, or journeying with peers?
When to take it:
Sunday, July 20, during our gathering time
Or anytime between July 21–31 (come back between that time and the link will be here.)
In early August, we’ll share some reflections about what we’re noticing—what’s growing, what’s shifting, and how we’re becoming the people God has called us to be.
If you missed the first round in January, no problem—there’s no pressure to catch up.
If you are new, no pressure to take this survey, but we do invite you to take a look. The survey itself is a window into what we value, how we hope to grow, and who we are becoming together.
Let’s keep moving forward—not just in attendance or activity—but in Kingdom presence, Spirit-led rhythms, and Christ-shaped living.
-Pastor Beth
