Quality control in discipleship

Going further with earlier thoughts on whether we ought to use statistical methods in the church, there is something that comes to mind as we (should) engage in active discipleship; what do we do with the commands for husbands to love their wives, and for wives to submit to their husbands?

Of course, we ask our friends that question, and they say yes, and then we go on with life, don't we?  And then we wonder what that happy couple just got a divorce, right?   What's going on?  Well, we've forgotten Deming's Law; In God we trust, all others must bring data.  No, it's not just for quality control; it's essential to discipleship.  So how do we apply this?

Simple; one asks for specific actions one is taking. "Bob, tell me how you're showing your love for your wife."  "Jane, tell me how you're submitting to your husband."  "Tell me how you're training your kids for Christ."  "Tell me what you're doing to help manage the family budget better."

In quality, it's called "corrective action", and it's high time that the church--this humble writer included--took it seriously.  If we do, we might hear this kind of response:

"Well, Sam, I led family worship and took the TV out of our bedroom--and you won't believe what happened!"

"Well, Sara, I served dessert first like Bob wanted, and he took the TV out of the bedroom and we read Scripture together!"

Stranger things have happened....