The Numbers Game of Churchdom
September 11, 2008
Something that really frustrates me in the church world is the importance of numbers. Case in point: in the past two days, I’ve talked to people who went to the church that I used to lead worship at. Both people asked me where I’ve been, to which I replied that am leading at Roosevelt Community Church. First question out of both of their mouths (at different times of course) was “How are the numbers?” Augh! it’s so frustrating! Something that our culture has taught hte world is that numbers = success. But what about numbers says that your church is successful? We continue to live the lie that we have been taught that says that the more butts in the pews (or seats) that you have means that you are making a big impact.
My question is this – What about attendance says success? Is it really the number of people that dictates how well you are doing? Another idea: is it the purpose of the church to be successful? Is it our goal to have thousands of people coming to the church? How does this measure the impact on the kingdom?
Maybe it’s not the idea of the successful church but instead it is the idea of the thriving church. Maybe it’s the idea of what you do with the numbers as opposed to just having them come to your church. It reminds me of the parable of the talents. When given many, if you stay within the walls, you will answer for it. But I wonder if it is bigger than we all could imagine. Imagine if you took the biggest churches in your town and began quarterly service projects. Service projects where they get no recognition and nobody wears shirts or hats with church names on it. Imagine if this was a regular thing.
I guess I just get angry at teh numbers game. It’s basically a pissing contest between people who are a part of the same body of Christ. Why do we divide ourselves over something as stupid as numbers? I once went to a service at a rehabilitation center and a guy who was there was telling us how he goes to the big church up the street and that they have over 3000 peopel and 5 services. How is Jesus moving in the church? That’s the question. Luckily I know that Jesus is doing incredible things there, but what are they teaching this guy who lives in the rehab center? Who is visiting him? Has he created an idol in his head over the size of the church? Does he realize that we are all God’s children and that it’s not just the church we go to that determines us christians?
I’m starting to rant. Any thoughts on this?
I think numbers will always have their place because they mean lives affected. They are also generally a good indicator of effectiveness. But I hear your point and it is a valid one. When we focus on numbers first and foremost everything else is lost.
yeah. Unfortunately we see churches really focusing on getting people in the doors. I had this book idea that revolved around this, but I’ll write about that later.
I think what it comes down to is the parable of the talents. What did you do with those numbers? did you invest in the kingdom, or did you let them sit and grow stagnant?
“Maybe it’s the idea of what you do with the numbers as opposed to just having them come to your church.”
that’s the rub right there and that makes a whole lotta sense to me. Exactly what we’re thinking thru deeply @ missioDei.
ugh! having worked at a large church, I was constantly asked about how large our ministry was. Instead, I wished the curious would ask our student how what they had been exposed to in our ministry had changed their lives over and what God was revealing to them.
Hey Ron, have you ever read “Cat & Dog Theology”? It is a good (and quick) read that talks about this subject. It address that although our purpose shouldn’t be numbers, numbers do still matter.
I hate the “number game” as well, but… you know.
oh yeah. I definitely know.
I totally agree, Ron. It’s all about how well people are churched not that they are churched.
Taylor,
In response to your comment:
I think you hit the nail on the head when you said, “When we focus on numbers first and foremost everything else is lost.” I must point out, however, that usually numbers are a good indicator of effectiveness, the bigger usually means, unfortunately, the least effective. The idea here is community. Community is lost once the church gets too big because it’s virtually impossible to have that community feeling. And not just a community for you to feel a belonging, but also for the church as a whole to act as a community to the unchurched.
Just a thought. Let me know what you think. http://www.womanofmanythoughts.blogspot.com
You know, I once asked this question to a co-worker. His responce was “We go there to be with like minded people to talk about our week and what happening in the community”. He didn’t say anything about the service only the gathering of friends. So maybe it’s the friendships that are bringing in the numbers and not the church itself.
Seems to me that if that is the case, maybe the service needs to look at other ways to instill God into their souls so that instead of a community of gossipers, they end up with a community of worshipers.