Leader,

Obedience will always cost you something. The question is—will you pay the price?

Jesus didn’t just call us to believe in Him. He called us to follow Him. And following Jesus doesn’t always come with AC and snacks.

You can choose calling or comfort.

But you can’t choose both.

Let this be your resolve: I won’t quit when it gets hard. I’ll push when others pause. I’ll lead even when it hurts.

You’re not building comfort. You’re building legacy.

A Little Help from a Friend

I’ve shared with you before that I’ve got a coach. I’ve got a number of them in fact… but one of them shared a concept with me that has got me excited, and I want to pass on to you what I got from Swebb.

Full Discloser: This is not my content… @Swebb created it, and I adapted it for you! Let’s jump in!

Making Numbers Mean Something

Churches love numbers.

Attendance. Giving. Salvations. Baptisms. Kids ministry headcounts.

But here’s the truth: numbers by themselves are flat. They’re shared without context, with zero emotional resonance. They sound more like an accountant’s report than a vision-casting moment.

And vision can’t sound like accounting.

The Power of a Stat Comes From the Context of the Start

Saying “we baptized 120 people” only lands if you remind people it used to be 12 … or that it happened across three correctional facilities … or that one of them was your neighbor’s son.

That’s what makes a number powerful: the story behind it.

Otherwise, you’re just spitting digits. And nobody’s inspired by digits.

1. Stats Need Context or They’re Useless

Don’t assume people know what’s “big.”

“400 in attendance” means nothing to the average person.

“$1.2 million budget” could be massive or minimal depending on the lens.

Instead of dropping numbers and hoping they land, set them in motion:

• “Two years ago, 87 people showed up to Easter. This year, 408 celebrated Jesus with us … and 27 of them were baptized.”

• “Our budget has grown 42% in three years. For the first time ever, we’re fully funding kids ministry before summer even hits.”

Make it real. Make it visual. Make it mean something.

2. Percentages Don’t Move People. People Move People.

“Only 18% of our church gives regularly.”

Congrats—you just depressed everyone.

Instead:

• “For every 5 people in this room, only 1 is giving to make it happen. What would it look like if even one more stepped up?”

Or even better:

• “1 in 3 of you is already giving generously. Because of you, families are finding Jesus, students are being mentored, and marriages are being restored.”

Percentages are cold. People are warm. Always reframe stats into people.

3. Anecdotes Beat Analytics Every Time

“We had 68 salvations this month.” Okay, but who are they?

Try this:

• “This month, a single dad walked into our church for the first time in years. His son begged him to come to kids ministry. Two weeks later, they were both baptized. That’s 2 of the 68 salvations this month. Every one of them has a name.”

When you attach a face, a story, or a name to a number, it becomes vision.

4. Don’t Exaggerate Generosity. Be Honest.

“Missions: we gave away $1,000!”

…Cool. But if your monthly coffee budget is higher, you’ve lost credibility.

Instead:

• “This year we gave away $1,000 in local outreach. That may not sound like much, but it’s $1,000 more than last year. And it’s just the start. We’re committed to doubling it next year until 10% of our budget flows out the door.”

That’s honesty, growth, and vision all in one.

5. Make Numbers Walk Into the Room

Stats should breathe. They should carry weight. They should walk into the room with personality and punch.

• “Our kids ministry had 92 kids last week. That’s not a number—that’s 92 futures. 92 little hearts learning to worship, serve, and grow.”

• “This year, 321 people gave financially. That’s 321 people who believe this mission matters. If you’re one of them: thank you. If you’re not yet, jump in. This is where eternal ROI happens.”

Numbers aren’t just a scoreboard—they’re a mirror. If you hold them up right, they reflect vision.

Practical Leadership Actions

• Before sharing a number, ask: “So what?”

• Reframe percentages into people (e.g., 25% = 1 in 4).

• Anchor every stat in a real story.

• Translate insider lingo into outsider emotion.

• Always show the start point, not just the outcome.

Bottom Line

You’re not here to impress people with reports.

You’re here to invite them into the story of what God is doing.

And that story deserves better than bullet points.

Tell it. Translate it. Reveal it.

At the end of the day, numbers don’t tell the story—people do. Every stat is a soul. Every figure is a future. Leaders don’t just report data, they cast vision. So as you lead this week, don’t settle for spreadsheets—translate them into stories that stir faith, build momentum, and remind your people why we do what we do: to see lives changed by Jesus.

Let’s lead like it matters—because it does.