You’re leading hard. You’re tracking everything. But what if the scoreboard you’re using isn’t the one Jesus cares about?

You might be winning… the wrong game.

Imagine this…

You’re up to bat in the final inning of a tight baseball game.
Your team is down by one, but you’ve been having a great day at the plate—three hits already.
You step up, crack a single into right field, and smile as you jog to first.

The runner on third charges home.
You round first, throw your hands in the air, and get ready for the celebration to begin.
A Gatorade is pending. Probably being brought by your stampeding teammates.
You just won the game.

But instead of cheers…
You’re tagged out standing between first and second.
The second baseman grins. The ump signals the out and extra innings.

You’re stunned. Weren’t we ahead? Didn’t I just score the winning run?

Then it hits you.

You saw the scoreboard. It said 6 to 5.
You assumed those were runs.

But they weren’t.
You were looking at the hits column.

Your team had the same number of hits as your opponent.
But you were still behind on the only number that actually mattered.

You thought you were winning—because you misunderstood the scoreboard.

Ministry Has a Scoreboard Problem

If you’re a pastor, the pressure is constant:

• What were the attendance numbers?
• Is giving trending down?
• Did this Easter outperform last year?

We don’t just ask these questions.
We obsess over them.
We lead toward them.

And when those numbers slip, we scramble to “fix” what might not be broken, because we’ve made the scoreboard the goal instead of the guide.

But here’s the gut-check question every pastor needs to ask:

What if I’m winning… the wrong game?

What if you’re chasing applause instead of obedience?
Crowds instead of character?
Moments instead of maturity?

The scoreboard you choose will determine the ministry you pursue.

The Wrong Scoreboard: Butts and Bucks

Let’s just name it. The easiest and most dangerous metrics to track are:

• Attendance (How many people came)
• Giving (How much they gave)

These numbers are visible. Quantifiable.
And they make for great Monday morning staff meetings.

But here’s the tension:

They’re not the mission.

Jesus didn’t say, “Get people to show up.”

He said, “Make disciples.”

If all you measure is Sunday attendance and weekly giving, you’ll lead your church toward a shallow version of success.

You might even feel like you’re winning.

But you’ll be celebrating something Jesus never asked you to chase.

The Right Scoreboard: Progress in Discipleship

So… what should we measure?

Here’s a better scoreboard:

• Are people forming spiritual habits—reading, praying, giving, serving?
• Are they moving from spiritual curiosity to Christ-centered identity?
• Are they progressing along a defined discipleship pathway—from Seeker to Steward?
• Are they becoming disciple-makers, not just faithful attendees?

These metrics are harder to track.
They’re slower. Less visible.

But they’re the actual game Jesus asked us to play.

NOTE: This article may help you, too. 

The Pressure to Win the Wrong Game

Here’s the real danger:

The pressure doesn’t come from ministry itself—it comes from measuring it the wrong way.

When your scoreboard rewards quick wins over long obedience, you’ll:

• Launch programs instead of shaping people
• Set attendance goals instead of spiritual formation goals
• Teach toward emotional response instead of life transformation

Eventually, your church might grow big… but not deep.

And that’s when the panic sets in.

Build a Better Scoreboard

If you’re ready to stop chasing shallow wins, here’s where to start:

1. Audit your metrics – What are you celebrating?
2. Define what matters – Name the signs of spiritual maturity.
3. Track movement, not just moments – Are people taking next steps?
4. Celebrate real growth – Make disciple-making the win.

And if you don’t know how to build that kind of scoreboard, you don’t have to guess.

That’s exactly why I created:

• Pressure Valve Sessions – Live, free webinars to help you rethink what’s really weighing you down.
• Leadership Labs – Strategic coaching (digital or in-person) for you and your team.
• Pastor Partnerships – 1-on-1 strategic support to help you build the systems, scoreboards, and strategy to lead confidently under pressure.

Final Thought

You’re not a CEO.
You’re not a weekend showrunner.
You’re not a religious event planner.

You’re a disciple-maker.

So don’t let the wrong scoreboard distract you from the right game.
Because ministry isn’t about getting people to show up.
It’s about helping them grow up.

Let’s lead like it.
— Dr. Gavin Adams

Quotes to Share

“The scoreboard you choose will determine the ministry you pursue”
“If you celebrate the wrong scoreboard, don’t be surprised when your church plays the wrong game.”
“Ministry success isn’t how many show up—it’s how many grow up.”
“You might be winning. But are you winning what matters?”

Want Help Leading Through The Pressure of Ministry?

 Get More Practical Content: Join the email list so you don’t miss anything.
 Join a FREE Pressure Valve Session: I host a monthly Pressure Valve Session to help pastors like you tackle one of these seven pressures head-on.
 Attend a Leadership Lab: Attend a digital strategy lab and walk away with a practical plan to confidently lead under pressure. Or I’ll come to you and host a retreat or a 1-day workshop.
 Take the Pressure Inventory: This free, 5-minute assessment helps you identify where the pressure is heaviest for you.

Facing The Pressure With You,
Dr. Gavin Adams