It's all in the numbers...or is it?
Recently, my attention was directed to a research project done by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research on megachurches. The basic idea of the research was to compile a list of all megachurches within the United States and to list their REPORTED numbers, as they were given to the team at HIRR. The method in which the numbers were compiled is detailed in the article and can accessed here. The criteria for being considered a "megachurch" for the purposes of this study is that the church in question must have had an average attendance of 2,000 people for two consecutive years. For the purposes of my readers, most of whom are in Kentucky, the list of those churches who reportedly match this criteria in Kentucky can be accessed here. What is interesting is the date that these numbers were supposedly in effect. A majority of those on the list have their numbers as being accurate as of February 2006.What is the point? The point is this: we cannot draw a strong conclusion that just because a church is larger than another that it is healthier, stronger, etc. Though this is true in a number of cases, this survey draws into question the very numbers that we hear reported so very often. For instance, how do we know that just because a church says they average 3000 (a strictly made-up number) in attendance that they actually have that many coming to their services and filling their pews. And, if we say that large churches are healthy, yet those very numbers are untrue...what does that say about the very health of that particular church.
For some, it is truly all in the numbers....and numbers can be, and very often are, an indicator of our effectiveness to some degree. But, shouldn't those numbers on which we are judging our effectiveness be an accurate representation of what is actually taking place within our churches? I pray that our integrity is greater than our desire to be impressive to others within the church world whom we may desire to impress.
As a disclaimer: These churches just might not be aware that these numbers were reported to this agency. It would be wise of them, and would show a great deal of integrity, to correct the numbers should they be seen as a misrepresentation of what is actually the truth.
So, check out the research and the numbers. Judge for yourself.
posted by Tim Morrison @ 3:29 PM
7 Comments:
good post tim. (hope your doin well bro)
My church (First Baptist Spartanburg, SC) is on the list with a reported attendance of 3500. The number we get every week is the Sunday school number, which runs 2600 to 2800 -- I don't think the Sunday services are actually counted (which is kind of cool, IMO); I would think 3500 would probably be a pretty good guess for Sunday morning services -- conservative, if anything. It makes me happy that my church is reporting a reasonable number (even if it isn't all about the numbers). :)
Dave,
I'm glad to hear that your church has, to the best of your knowledge, reported their numbers honestly. I think the thing that bothers me the most about Baptist churches in general is that there is no "official" way to count those in attendance. This leaves it very vague and, in my opinion, leaves the door open for inflated numbers due to the manner in which numbers are counted. No, numbers are not the only important thing - and God help those of us who feel that they are even a priority. Anyone can draw a crowd using unbiblical methods. But reporting numbers that are inflated is the church equivalent to "keeping up with the Joneses" - which I would hope we as ministers warn our people against.
Just a thought. I enjoy and welcome the discussion.
Keith,
Lest I leave you out and you feel neglected...thanks for your comment. I think that Alistair Begg is onto something there.
Hope all is well.
speaking of numbers...14 days since your last post...
What are you, the blog nazi? I think just about everyone seems to have taken a little hiatus from the blogging world. It's really pretty sad, don't you think?
hmmm we all as people seek idenity through things. Some people seek it through their churches reputation. If we didn't have other people we would have no need or desire to make an identity to them. I honestly don't go to church for the music or the sermon because everywhere I go I find another pastor who thinks He's somthing great, and he's average. It doesn't really change my life and, the music isn't what I go for either. tThe relationships are what matter in the end.It wont matter about what we believe in baptist catholic, or christian.(....whatever name you think is pretty lol)It will matter why and that our hearts were sold out for Gods dream. When I'm in need of help spiritually or feeling lonely I go those with whom I trust, and I know God has placed in my life for a reason. Sometimes god will take away those friends to remind you that he gave them to you. Jesus was all about being a social dude in th bible and he always was with those who were "unacceptale" the drunks prostitutes etc. people we judge and loved them somthing we all stink at. anyways hope you're doing well-ben
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