Pastors say it all the time when assessing their flock. Church members try to avoid sounding braggadocious when speaking about it. Christian leaders warn never to make this your focus.
What am I talking about?
Have you ever heard the phrase: “It’s not about the numbers.”?
I’m here to say it is about the numbers.
Because numbers are souls.
I do understand and wholeheartedly agree with Jesus when he declared, …”I will build my church….” I trust him to do this. He brings the people and my focus should not be on how many come each Sunday. Still, numbers matter.
This is what Charles Spurgeon said about it:
I am not among those who decry statistics, nor do I consider that they are productive of all manner of evil; for they do much good if they are accurate, and if men use them lawfully. It is a good thing for people to see the nakedness of the land through statistics of decrease, that they may be driven on their knees before the Lord to seek prosperity; and, on the other hand, it is by no means an evil thing for workers to be encouraged by having some account of results set before them. I should be very sorry if the practice of adding up, and deducting, and giving in the net result were to be abandoned, for it must be right to know our numerical condition.
It has been noticed that those who object to the process are often brethren whose unsatisfactory reports should somewhat humiliate them …. The fact is, you can reckon very correctly if the figures are honest, and if all circumstances are taken into consideration if there is no increase, you may calculate with considerable accuracy that there is not much being done; and if there is a clear decrease among a growing population, you may reckon that the prayers of the people and the preaching of the minister are not of the most powerful kind. —“The Soul Winner”
When people show up at Community Church of the Hills they will hear the Word of God preached, verse-by-verse, have opportunities to serve, to give, and to worship in an environment geared specifically for believers. They will be built up, spurred on and straightened out. They will be prayed over, hugged warmly, encouraged greatly.
Most of all they will have the chance to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
That is why it is about numbers. Because more people may mean more disciples, more obedient servants, more gospel witnesses.
So, I will do my part: inviting, cajoling, and pressing people to attend on Sunday, trusting that God will bring to him all that are His.
As I count, I will count on Him.
The more the merrier.
And sometimes, holier.
Read the week-to-week attendance of Community church of the Hills by clicking here.
Jon Speed
Rebecca Sobek
Steve Sanchez