Stats vs. Stories

I have something to admit.  I am not afraid to say it.  I am a Toronto Maple Leafs fan.  I am proud to say it.  I realize of course that there may be some readers who will be appalled at this announcement but I make no apology, unless you are a fan of that team that is east of Ottawa and west of Nfld and Labrador (my keyboard will not allow me to type the name  - thankfully) and then you may need to see a doctor and it would be cruel and in bad taste to ridicule you.

Back to my rambling.

If you have been following hockey in the NHL you will have no doubt noticed that TML are making an incredible push for the playoffs.  They may even make a movie about these late season heroics!  I have been playing close attention to all of the games and what's more their stats - player stats, team stats - goals, assists, hits, save percentage etc.  I have even been paying attention to the other teams that they are trying to catch - their home and away record, number of games left, etc.  I have been making calculations about how many games my team needs to win and how many games the other teams need to lose to clinch a playoff berth.  You probably get the point - stats and more stats.  They are helpful for many things.  In this case, I think they are more helpful for Las Vegas bookmakers and player agents trying to negotiate new contracts because when the two teams get on the ice the winner is usually the better team in that game - period.  All the stats and the analyzing go out the window.  This year the Toronto Maple Leafs have made a valiant effort to get into the post season and they have some great stats.  Some players are having career years for stats, but in four games their season may or may not be over.  And, if it is over you can take all those stats and toss them into the nearest trash bin because, unfortunately, they will mean nothing.  Harsh but true.  There will be great weeping and gnashing of teeth and I will be among those doing so.

So do the stats mean anything?  The stats will say again that for the sixth year in a row this storied franchise will be golfing, and many will make their snide remarks.  But will that be an accurate reflection of this season?  No way!  This team which is the second youngest in the league have made dramatic improvements - they have done remarkable things and it has been the most entertaining season of the last six, in my opinion.  My point?  Stats will never tell a complete story - but a story can.

Stats should be used to inform - perhaps highlight - some important issues or factors, but they are incomplete and should never be used as the sole deciding factor.  They lack context, texture and emotion.  No where has this proved more true to me than in Christian ministry.

I believe ministry is reflected most accurately in stories.  The inspiration for ministry is derived from the belief in the Bible and, more importantly, who it tells a story about - Jesus Christ.  Jesus is Jewish and he told stories.  Some were in parable form, some not.  But, it has always been the custom of the nation of Israel to tell stories to tell the story.

Stories capture the context, the texture and the emotion.  The stories we tell about the people we serve is what truly informs and creates passion and inspiration.  Our stories tell of miraculous growth even if in incremental steps.  Our stories tell of personal victories and experiences that mold us and shape us into who we are and who we will become through God's working Holy Spirit.

I listened to a man's story today who suffers from schizophrenia.  His story inspired me and helped me to understand who he is and where he has been and how far he has come - stats on his illness could never have done that.

Stats can be important but, in this writer's opinion, they never tell the whole story - only stories do and the "honour" is being part of them.