Why should a church have measures? 

• Measures speak to the marks of a mature disciple.
• Measures show the portrait of a faithful follower of Jesus.

What are Foothills’ proposed measures?

Have I spent time with God today?

• Psalm 119:9-11; Matthew 4:1-10; Mark 1:35-38
• Disciplines of Bible-intake, prayer, Scripture memorization, fasting, meditation, confession, etc.

Am I living the life of a generous giver?

• Explanation: God is gracious. His grace/mercy extends to all persons, in particular believers who have received Jesus as King/Savior (John 1:12; Romans 10:9-10). We’re not in debt to God but we find pleasure in living gracious lives that reflect the gracious character of God; we’re called to rightly mirror/reflect Him. Gracious living/giving does that; miserly living/giving does not do that.
• Time: Ephesians 5:15-17.
• Talents: Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4; 1 Peter.
• Money: Matthew 6:21; 2 Corinthians 9:8-15

Am I close to someone far from God?

• Explanation: Jesus’ life was centered on seeking/saving the lost. He sought them continually. He saved/saves them through their belief in the gospel message. His life was literally given so that those who are far from God could come near to Him; those who were without hope could not have hope; those who were not His people could now become His people. A Christian is a little-christ. We are to emulate what He loves and what He hates. It is a theological impossibility to say you’re close to Jesus and not be in line with the mission for which He came: to seek/save sinners.
• Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 10:45; Luke 15.
• Have I shared my story with someone? Have I had a gospel conversation with someone? Can I articulate the gospel? Do I regularly pray for people who do not know Jesus as Savior/King?

Am I seeking forgiveness and forgiving others as needed?

• Explanation: All of the Christian life is one of repentance – Martin Luther. Implicit in seeking forgiveness and forgiving others is 1) a right relationship with the Father through Jesus and 2) a right relationship with other Christians (and even non-Christians). Additionally, seeking/granting forgiveness presupposes humility and a repudiation of the ugliness/sinfulness of pride.
• Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 1:15; Romans 10:9-10; Colossians 3:12-13; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5-6.

Do I look like Jesus to all the people and places He has sent me?

• Explanation: The Scriptures tell us that our Christian identity is not something that is merely lived out in a Sunday morning service or a Tuesday evening growth group but it is to be manifested in every area of life and in every sphere of influence God has given us. Thus, we take Jesus with us to the ball-field, to the office, to our neighborhood, on vacation, to the church building, etc. We are to be a fragrance/aroma to all persons, both believing individuals and non-believing individuals. To look like Jesus is to exude His values, beliefs and to do so in a spirit of love.
• Acts 1:8-9; 2 Corinthians 2:15-16, 5:20; Ephesians 4:15.