When do numbers become so important that we lose track of our mission?
What makes a fruitful ministry? This is a loaded question. How do we measure fruitfulness? Is it shear size? Being dynamic? Fostering new relationships? Helping the community? There are many aspects to a fruitful but this post is going to explore one aspect of fruitfulness: Size.
I will ask this question. Is a ministry fruitful if its not growing in size? According to some, not growing in numbers is not being fruitful. I suggest that we rethink that thinking.
According to our Bishop, our conference is shrinking.
Does this mean that our local churches aren’t being fruitful? Am I crazy for asking this question?
Lets take a church that doesn’t add members. How do they shrink? There are two main reasons:
- People passing away
- People leaving
The first reason is pretty simple to understand.
The second factor is a little more complex. We need to ask why they left. They could have gone to another church. They could be sick of the Christian thing and leave the faith all together. If they go to another church does this mean that a church is being ineffective? I don’t think so. The most common reason is because the church isn’t fulfilling the needs of that individual/family. Is this bad? I don’t think so, because they are plugging themselves in. There might be other reasons that could mean a church is being ineffective.
If a member leaves and doesn’t join another church, I would say that something is wrong. A church shouldn’t just let a person leave and never come back. Does this happen? Sadly it does. Does this mean a church is ineffective? I would answer: Partly.
Now lets look at some good things. Why would a person join a church?
The answers are similar to the ones above.
- Confession of faith…..this is my favorite!
- Transfer of membership
Again, the first one is easy. This is the sign of a wonderfully fruitful ministry! This could be bad though……..but that is for another time.
The second one is much like above. Why did they transfer? They might be transferring because of a move. Perhaps they found they could be more effective at this new congregation. There are many reasons why a transfer would happen.
Does a decline in membership, or even a stagnation of membership mean an ineffective ministry? While I agree that a strong ministry grows, there comes a point where a ministry has grown to a point to where it is in equilibrium. A ministry I was involved in had reached that point when I left. It wasn’t failing; it was thriving and fostering Christian relationships and allowing the member to grow spiritually.
With the new proposals in the conference, that ministry is now facing closure. Apparently, a ministry that doesn’t show growth should be closed off.
While I agree that a decline in growth can be a warning sign. The problem, however, is that the ministry I spoke of is a campus ministry. The campus ministry model is different of that of a church. You have new members constantly coming in and leaving. A strong freshman class can mean a sharp decline in numbers four years later.
Using the same model to judge the effectiveness of all ministries is clearly the wrong way to do it.
I suggest that the committees that are meeting to discuss the future of the conference shouldn’t merely look at numbers. I think the framework of the ministry and the overall effectiveness should be taken into account. A church that has 15 members that only loses a member due to death should be closed or merged with another congregation. A ministry that is staying steady and possibly growing a few members while losing a few members should be encouraged to keep going. Something is obviously working.
These are only a few things you can do with the current ministries.
A final thought is something us Methodists can learn from our friends down the street at the Baptist church. FOCUS ON YOUR YOUNG PEOPLE!!!! Invest your lives in the youth! Get to know the local college students. Adopt them as a family away from home. Encourage them to search for what they want to do with their life. Support campus ministries!!! These campus ministries do more than provide social activities for students. They teach skills on leading small groups. They even lead some into full-time ordained ministry.
They might not call your church their home. They might be one less person in your church at worship. Years down the road, these students might be your pastor.
I know this isn’t really coherent and doesn’t flow. I’m just a little concerned with the focus that the annual conference is beginning to take now. And I might be over reacting and taking things WAY out of proportion. But this is what is on my mind.
Lets forget numbers and focus on relationships and building the Body of Christ.
I had to dispose of him last night. Bye Wesley, you were a great hamster!