#USA #Charlotte #Gloo #Barna Group #A.M.E. Zion

A.M.E. Zion Church Implements New Church Health Metrics

The African Methodist Episcopal Zion (A.M.E. Zion) Church denomination has announced the adoption of the State of Your Church health metrics across all of its 1,600 churches throughout the United States. This significant initiative aims to enhance the understanding of each congregation's health and holistic well-being for its 1.5 million members.

Rev. Dr. J. Elvin Sadler, who serves as the General-Secretary Auditor for A.M.E. Zion Church, emphasized the need for more comprehensive insights beyond traditional measurements like membership numbers, attendance, and financial contributions. He remarked, "Until now, we've lacked the insight to understand how church culture, people, and congregations are truly doing. The State of Your Church dashboards will give us a better sense of the spirit and language of our culture."

The State of Your Church framework was developed collaboratively by The Barna Group and Gloo, creating an open-source metric system designed for churches, denominations, and Christian organizations. It encompasses seven dimensions related to personal flourishing and fifteen dimensions associated with the thriving of churches. By understanding these metrics, churches can effectively gauge the well-being of their congregants and overall congregation health.

Churches using these metrics will focus on a variety of aspects that contribute to flourishing, such as nurturing, sending, and leading their communities. Each church can access a free assessment tool called the Barna ChurchPulse, which allows them to evaluate the health of their community and the effectiveness of their outreach efforts.

Rev. Dr. Eleazar Merriweather, Director of the Department of Church Growth and Development, stated, "We are encouraging every one of our U.S. churches to better understand and interpret the condition of their congregations and communities. This information will enable our pastors and leaders to better know and care for their people, ultimately improving service delivery across the board."

Bishop Darryl B. Starnes Sr., who serves as Senior Bishop of the A.M.E. Zion Church, highlighted the need for adaptation in the ever-changing world and how the church must equip its leaders with the right tools to fulfill their mission. He expressed confidence that the new metrics would serve to strengthen and empower congregations to meet modern challenges.

As part of the new initiative, the A.M.E. Zion Church will distribute the State of Your Church kits. These kits include free texting tools, online assessment capabilities, promotional materials, and dashboards, facilitating church leaders’ ability to provide congregants with individualized assessments of their personal flourishing. Additionally, the church leaders will receive comprehensive reports that summarize overall congregational wellness, ultimately aiding in the pastoral care and development of church programs.

“Church leaders realize that something has changed when it comes to growing their attendance, giving, and other conventional measures,” remarked Brad Hill, Gloo's Chief Solutions Officer. He underlined the importance of the new metrics in guiding the pastors to know their congregants better and to equip them for fruitful discipleship.

Looking ahead, the A.M.E. Zion Church Department of Church Growth and Development plans to promote these measures across various denominational events in 2025. This initiative marks a pivotal change in how churches can understand their congregants’ needs and enhance their ministry efforts.

Founded in 1796, the A.M.E. Zion Church, often referred to as “The Freedom Church,” not only has a rich history of social justice but also plays a vital role in education and humanitarian activities across the globe. Partnering with organizations like Gloo and Barna, they are poised to navigate the complexities of modern ministry efficiently and effectively, ensuring that their 1.5 million members are well-supported and spiritually nourished.