Understanding Impact
It’s all about disciple-making impact.
Impact is the effect of what we do. It is the change our actions make in the world.
The impact we should be concerned with is our disciple-making impact. Why? Because making disciples is the mission Jesus has given us. Imparting this mission was both the first and last thing he said to his disciples.
The last words were: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Less familiar are Jesus' first words, though they point to the same purpose: “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people” (Matthew 4:19) — people whose lives are changed forever by becoming followers of Jesus.
But what does it mean to make disciples? A disciple is more than someone who just believes in Jesus. It also includes obedience and action. As Jesus explains, making disciples includes “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).
Being a disciple is not simply about identifying as a Christian or attending church once a week. It is about reordering our loves and priorities around Jesus’ teachings, learning to obey all that he commanded. Such transformation, in us and others, will inevitably shape the way we live, influence those around us, and change the world.
When we look at our world, the multitude of needs is painfully clear, and Christians can and do obediently respond to these needs in many ways. Yet we believe that every need ultimately finds its fulfillment in knowing Jesus, and following him. For this reason, we see disciple-making impact as of first importance, and therefore the primary focus of Fruitful Work.
In light of this, it is also important to remember that practical service, carried out in Christ’s name and through the Church, is fundamental to being faithful disciples ourselves, and can be a powerful way of making disciples of others.
Why impact matters
Jesus calls us to seek fruitfulness as well as faithfulness.
Jesus commands us to surrender everything we have and depend on him to use what he has given us for a huge Kingdom impact, especially if we’re gifted with greater skills, resources, and intelligence.
He teaches us to seek a return. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the master commends the servants who doubled his money, saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” demonstrating that Jesus values fruitful stewardship and meaningful results.
He expects extraordinary returns. The parable of the sower shows that, as the good soil, we will yield a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown (Matthew 13:23).
Those who’ve been entrusted with much have a particular responsibility to surrender and multiply it for a high impact. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.” (Luke 12:48)
God is glorified as we abide in him and expect extraordinary fruitfulness. “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit” (John 15:8).
But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. (Matthew 13:23)
The stakes are high:
Following Jesus is so significant because he brings life in all its fullness in the here and now, and life everlasting.
Jesus’ heart aches for those who are far from him. He sees the great need in the world and calls us to action. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37). The call is urgent.
We are the workers in the harvest field, entrusted with the mandate to partner with God in bringing his Kingdom to earth. Effectiveness is crucial because the stakes are so high. To reach as many as possible with the Gospel, we must do all we can to build God’s Kingdom.
Seek effectiveness by going all-in with your intelligence
We may be familiar with the call to go all-in with our time and money. We’re perhaps less familiar with the call to go all-in with our intelligence as well. This means working smart as well as hard. God wants us to wisely steward our intelligence for him, just as we do our time and money
If we rely solely on our hearts without engaging our minds, we risk missing significant opportunities for impact. Focusing on effectiveness counteracts this by applying Spirit-given wisdom and intelligence to use every gift and resource in ways that bear the greatest fruit for God’s Kingdom.
Effectiveness means being shrewd in how we use our wealth and gifts. In the parable of the shrewd manager, Jesus chastises the “people of the light” for being naive in their understanding of how to use their worldly wealth (Luke 16:8). Being effective requires us to be shrewd in using what God has given us.
Effectiveness involves aiming for tangible outcomes. For example, Paul’s ministry is goal-oriented, strategically adapting to be the most humble servant in any context to “win as many as possible” for Christ (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
Yet we must ultimately surrender these outcomes to God. Whilst we plant and water, it is God who makes things grow (1 Corinthians 3:7). Like Jeremiah, we may labour faithfully for the Kingdom with little visible impact, but his plans extend far beyond our perspective. We should try for the biggest impact, but surrender the eventual impact to God.
In practice
Make wise career choices
Careers are 80,000 hours – one of the most significant resources God has entrusted to us. While all work can honour God and create opportunities for witness, some careers can offer far greater disciple-making impact than others for the same individual. For example, for one person, moving into education reform could shape how millions encounter the gospel at school, or choosing a children's ministry role could have a multiplying effect, equipping and mobilising others to make disciples.
Give wisely
Where we give greatly affects our impact. Research shows certain charities can be 100 times more effective than other good ones, meaning wise choices can multiply the difference we make for the Kingdom. For example, giving to disciple the unreached can multiply our impact many times over. Very little Christian giving is directed here, yet ministry in these places often costs a fraction of similar work in the UK.
At the same time, as resources like When Helping Hurts highlight, some ministries and programmes, though well-intentioned, can inadvertently do more harm than good, which makes choosing carefully all the more important.
Put it into practice
How does the “hundred, sixty, or thirty times” yield in the parable of the sower challenge your vision for fruitfulness?
How does Luke 12:48, “from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded,” shape your sense of responsibility?
How do the eternal consequences of belief and unbelief shape your career priorities?
What would it look like to focus on impact and effectiveness in your work or ministry?
Have you truly surrendered the outcomes to God — being content to labour faithfully even if the visible impact is small?
