This is an important question in any ministry. Ultimately, the answer lies with God, who knows each of us and whether our faith journey is advancing or retreating, or worse, remaining stagnant.As this is really impossible for us to measure (due to the millions of variables God must take into account!), we must find other ways of measuring ministry success. The default is usually numbers. Are we growing, or shrinking? More or less than last year? How many new people? And so on.
Recently published stats in the Baptist Magazine (December 2007 issue) reveal some sad, but not too surprising trends. According to their statistics, the entire growth of the Baptist church in New Zealand measures just 30 people. That's an increase in the past 12 months of 0.07%.* Is that success?
Is this not a wake up call? We must be doing something wrong to achieve such poor results.
I also read in the same paper, the names of those who have been elected at the Baptist Assembly. People who will be the leaders of this union for the next year. I know only a few, but ask this question: how many are under 40? How many are under 50?
I greatly value the wisdom and insight of the 'older' generation. The world would be a disaster without them. But I think it's time for some young people to lead. I greatly value their enthusiasm, sense of risk and desire for change. These attributes are what's going to turn the 0.07% into 7% and then 70%.
* Adults 28,869 down 189, children 8,193 down 110, teenagers 5,238 up 329.
2 comments:
Great blog!
This may sound strange but 30 is actually not too bad. I imagine that this figure is net growth, in that it accounts for those who have left. So I imagine the question was asked, 'how many in your congregation?' Rather than say, 'How many have joined your congregation?'
So while 30 is on the small side, most denominations cannot claim positive growth over the past year!
Yeah, it is net growth after deaths and people moving on. Just to clarify, it's a grand total of 30 over the entire country. That's not per church.
I agree that most denominations won't even be achieving a positive growth rate at all. It is very concerning and something I think church leaders need to address, perhaps collectively?
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