Attendance: The Measure of Success?

Posted by Adam Fix on March 10, 2009

For almost any public gathering attendance represents the barometer of success.  Take, for instance, a musical group.  If a band releases an album and go on tour, the success or failure of their musical venture will be gauged based on the number of concert tickets they sell.  The same could be said of an author who holds a book signing.  If many people show up to have their book autographed by the author, the event was a success.  In any case, if fewer people than the expected number attend a given event, it is very easily deemed a failure.  Unfortunately, we have taken the same approach in the church.

Should it matter how many people show up?  Is it a crazy idea to want less people to attend a church ministry or function?  Where in the Scriptures does  it say that a faithful pastor will always have a large number of sheep?   As a church, we try to regularly evaluate what we are doing in relation to the Gospel and our purpose, mission, and vision.  If a ministry does not match these stated goals we question its authenticity and its purpose.  However, if the ministry has been drawing an attendance above what we anticipated, the question is usually raised by someone who says something like, “But God is really blessing (whatever it is), isn’t that a good reason to continue it?”

Do you see the problem there?  Too often, attendance translates into an idea of success.  Just because a bunch of people show up doesn’t make it a successful ministry.

It may be easy to assume that because this site is called “Average Church” we don’t like anything that is big or attracts a large crowd.  That is absolutely not true!  Our goal is not to put down large churches, ministries, or gospel events.  If you serve or are a part of one of those things and you preach a true Gospel, minister with the love of Christ, and desire faithfulness to His Word and your calling, then we praise God for you.  We really do.

Our hope is to dispel the idea that faithfulness equals something attended by many people.  That to consider yourself a Godly pastor means to have a frequently downloaded podcast or plans for a satellite campus.  Those things in themselves are not bad.  It is the pervasive thought that without them a ministry, pastor, or church is not complete, is in need of something, or has failed in some way.  If you are a pastor of an average church, in the attendance sense, allow me to encourage you.  Your calling is to preach the Gospel of Jesus  Christ, to lead your flock in truth and faithfulness, and to prepare them for Heaven.

What if we stopped thinking about success in terms of attendance and put it in terms of faithfulness?  From where I sit, that is a beautiful thought.  If that happens, whether your church has many people or a few, whether your outreach event was “well” attended or not, or if the only people that listen to your messages online are your parents and wife you will still know you have done well in the sight of the Lord.

To Him be the glory forever.