Placing the right importance on numbers

Many things have changed in the church since I was a kid. Some of those changes are good, and some not so much. But one change that I'm not sure is for the better is the way we talk about numbers. These days, it seems like every church is obsessed with numbers. How many people came to our service? How much money did we raise? What was our attendance last year compared to this year? Do you remember, one could walk into almost any church and find a large wooden plaque mounted on the wall giving all those numbers? 

Don't get me wrong, numbers are important. They can tell us a lot about how our church is doing. But I think we've become too focused on them. We've started to believe that the only way to measure success is by looking at numbers. But there's more to life than numbers. There's more to church than numbers. And there's more to God than numbers.

Yes, numbers are important. But they're not the most important thing. The most important thing is how we're impacting people's lives. Are we helping them to grow in their faith? Are we reaching out to those who are lost and hurting? Are we making a difference in our community? Those are the things that matter. Those are the things that will make our church successful. So, let's focus on those things. Let's not get so caught up in numbers that we forget what's important.

Today, the large wooden “report cards” have disappeared in most churches. In fact, even bringing up attendance figures and other numbers can inspire mixed reactions. Many people get defensive when they hear numbers, especially when numbers indicate that their church is in decline. They love their church. They love their fellow church members. Even though the numbers reveal that there may in fact be something wrong, they do not feel that way about their church. It is as if the numbers are an attack on their very way of life.

To them, I say this: don't worry about the numbers. The numbers don't matter as much as you think they do. What matters is how you're living your life and how you're impacting those around you. So don't get bogged down in the numbers. Keep your eyes on the prize. And never forget what's important.

Some people have a hard time integrating numbers with spiritual issues. Regardless of why, some people just don't want to be labeled as a number or have their church reduced to digits. Because such reactions are quite common, the following are some ideas for communicating with a congregation when it comes to numbers.

People are more than numbers.

When it comes to church, people are more than just numbers. They are individuals with unique stories, talents, and experiences. They are not just a statistic figure on a piece of paper and they should be treated as such. The pastor should take time to lay a foundation of his understanding of what the numbers represent. When the church knows that the pastor values people as individuals and not just digits on a spreadsheet, common ground for discussing the significance of the numbers can be established. Each and every person is valuable and precious. If presented correctly, then the presenting of numbers can be received in a more favorable light.

Use stories to connect the numbers with real life. Stories have a way of making an impact that numbers alone cannot achieve. When people hear about how someone's life was changed by coming to church, it makes the numbers more relatable and personal. When presenting numbers, the pastor should take time to share a story or two of how lives have been impacted. This will help to put a human face on the numbers and make them more meaningful.

Numbers are simply indicators.

It's important to remember that numbers are simply indicators. They are not the whole story. They can provide valuable information, but they should not be the sole focus. There are other aspects of church life that are just as important, if not more so. The pastor should take care to present the numbers in context and not allow them to dominate the conversation.

The presentation of numbers does not have to be a dry, boring affair. With a little creativity and thoughtfulness, it can be an opportunity to connect with people on a deeper level and help them to see the value of being part of a church community.

A good example is a weekly weigh in on the scales. When someone steps on the scales, the number displayed tells them something about their life in the period since their last weigh-in. Although the individual is unquestionably more than his or her weight, this particular scale does reveal something about the connection between calories or intake and activity or output. The number on the scales can be used to help the person to see that adjustments will lead to better health.

In the same way, numbers can be used to help people see how their involvement in church is impacting their lives and the lives of those around them. When presented in the right way, numbers can be a powerful tool for good.

What are some other ways that numbers can be used to tell the story of a church's impact? What do you think is the most important number for a church to focus on? Why? There is no one right answer to this question. Every church is different and will have different priorities. However, some numbers that might be worth paying attention to include Sunday school and worship service attendance, giving, and the number of people involved in small groups or other church activities. These numbers can give us a snapshot of the health of our church and help us to identify areas that need attention.

Look for ways to encourage.

When giving is down, make a special effort to recognize the many people that are faithful in their giving. When total baptism numbers are lower than previous years, talk about one’s that have been reached and baptized. Rather than being used as a convenient method of causing guilt, numbers should be regarded as exciting objectives to strive for and not as an easy way to place guilt on people.

The Bible is full of examples of how giving can be used to encourage people. When the early church was going through a time of persecution, they sold their possessions and shared them with those in need (Acts 2:44-45). This not only encouraged those who were in need, but it also showed that the early Christians were willing to put their faith into action.

In the Old Testament, we see how God encouraged giving by promising to bless those who were generous (Deuteronomy 15:10). This not only encouraged people to give, but it also showed them that their giving was making a difference in the lives of others.

Even Jesus himself encouraged giving when he said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). This shows us that giving is not only an act of kindness, but it is also something that brings joy to the giver. When we encourage giving, we are not only helping others, but we are also showing them that their acts of generosity are making a difference in the world. So let us encourage giving, not only with our words, but also with our actions.

Let the numbers speak for themselves.

People tend to react negatively to bad news, and sometimes they take their frustration out on the messenger. In times like these, it's best to let the numbers speak for themselves. Simply state the facts: "In the last 10 years, worship attendance has gone from 85 to 51—a decrease of 28%." There's no need to add extra explanations, judgments, or generalizations. Doing so will only make the situation worse. It does not help matters any if the pastor adds, “if something doesn't happen soon we're gonna have to close our doors.”

Some might argue that this is a cold, heartless way to communicate bad news. But in times of crisis, people need clear and concise information—not emotional appeals. When emotions are running high, it's best to let the numbers speak for themselves.

Churches that are in decline can still make a difference.

It may take a significant amount of time to be able to reverse a trend in numbers that have looked dismal. If people are so beaten up and so discouraged by the numbers that they give up, revitalization becomes that more difficult. But here is always hope. There is always a chance that things can get better. Churches that are in decline can still make a difference. They can still be a source of hope and healing in their communities. So let us never give up hope and let us never give up on the church. A downward trend in numbers can provide a great opportunity for the pastor to do two things.

First, pastor should own the numbers with the people by avoiding language that separates. This means that the pastor needs to be using language such as us and we cannot you and you all. The proper use of language and pronouns communicate the pastor is on the same team as the congregation. In a pastor’s communication they should be using the pronouns “us” and “we” rather than “you” and “ya’ll.” People will tend to follow leaders who serve in the trenches with them.

The pastor should invite people to help turn the numbers around. This can be done in many ways such as starting new programs, reaching out to the community, or anything else that will increase church involvement. The key is to make sure that everyone has a part to play. When people feel like they are a part of the solution, they are more likely to be committed to the church.

Second, Pastors must be able to provide encouragement at all times. The church has the greatest source of hope of any group, organization, or gathering of people on earth. Our heavenly Father is our main source of hope. The finished work of Jesus is our greatest of hope. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is our great and power hope. Of all people, no group has more reason for hope than the church herself. When sharing numbers, pastors must always leave people with hope. The numbers don't have to be a source of discouragement but can actually be a source of hope. It is up to the pastor to communicate this hope to the congregation. When the pastor does this, it can make all the difference in the world.

Although the emotions people experience when confronted with numbers are wide and frequently negative, the pastor may use these feelings to his advantage. Prayer is a powerful weapon that God has given us to demolish walls and alter mindsets. Numbers became a reflection of His magnificent dispatch of revival and awakening in our churches and throughout the world as a result of prayer. When we fast and pray, we are agreeing with God that something needs to change. We are acknowledging our dependency on Him to work in and through us. And we are declaring that we believe He is able and willing to do more than we could ask or imagine.

Let the numbers be the tool to help your church to experience real revitalization and revival.